The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-13
The Choice
By F. Harris Deans


unciasped her hands on her knees.
Her face was death-white, except for
TWO red patches on her cheeks.
We must deny nothing" she said
at last, controlling her voice.
The man fiicked his cigarette,ash on
the floor, but made no answer.
Nothing the woman repeated
fiercely.
Inc man frowned at his cigarette
and then rose abruptly to his feet and
f; walked to the window. For moment
ne stood staring sioomily into the
street. The woman watched him anx.
iously.
| Il don't see why we should take II
'slhs down, he jerked out presently.
Inc woman spoke no word, and the
man could not see her eyes.
Well have to fight for it. ANYHOW"
ne declared, decisively. Hell have a
devllish difficult job to prove any.
thing"
And If he can't prove anythinge'
asked the woman, with a sudden husk-
mess.
Inc man turned and looked at her
in surprise.
Why then it's all right. Nothing
happens
i see" said the woman SLOWLY
mats the idea-for nothing to hap
pen +.
You talk as if you wanted some
thing to happen
Inc woman looked into the dis
lance. !.
should have thought-you would
have wanted this to come" =;
Wanted it? Good Lord, do Won
thlnk I'm mad? Who ever wants
thlng like that to happen?"
Besides hang it ALL" he cried with
sudden indignation, you're his wife
lie must be taught he can't chuck Won
over just because it suits his book"
oh. said the woman, and there
was touch of irony in her tone, its
lor my sake we are going to fight? ?"
"Of course. You don't seem tn
realize what your position would be if
ne won, And there's the boy too:
you must think of him"
DO you think ! haven't thought of
NM she cried with sudden passion.
DO you think I've waited for this mo-
ment TO think of him-and decide?
settled all that with myself at the very
first. What sort of a woman do Won
think | amp"
Inc man looked at her uncompre q
You mustn't talk like that" he said
'oothlngly-"you're no worse than
most of them
The woman turned sharply. as If she
would strike him.
Thank you she said scornfully =
You understand me SO beautifully"
The explained Your consolation is 50
delicate"
The man shrugged his shoulders
With an angry frown.
It's no good rowing" he said
we've got to hang together in this q
hing"
The woman took a cigarette from a
OK on the table and, lighting 1t,
m0ked thoughtfully
Do you remember" she asked.
once saying you wished you had met
lie before | married him."
Yes" he said sullenly.
Did you mean it? You can tell me On
Ow, you know"
Yes. | suppose | did. Well. yes
Id. do now, il 1t comes to that.
lhy?"
Nothing" said the woman slowly.
)nly-"
For a wonder the man partly under.
God her IL
"Doyou think I'm blackguard?" he
irst out. 'Of course. shall if"
III you must" suggested the wsmsn
ith twisted smile.
III it's necessary" ne replied short.
But 1t won't be necessary. He's
It no proof. Suspicion won't helm
IA much.'
And me? Has 1t occurred to you On
think about me? II won't be psr.
'ularly agreeable to have been sus.
cted"
ITS better than being found out"
swered the man grufny. q
The woman looked with stony eyes I
,ng the two avenues of which the :
ture proffered her choice. 7
She looked at the set face Of the
IN.
Yes, ! suppose 1t is" she assented.
tn q sigh