The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-31
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HIS OBJECT LESSON
BY CATHERINE CRANMER.

1872 ''S my HOISe Teduy at HNe
today as Harold Brentley spoke his
attention was attracted by old Larry's
unusual lameness as he started off to-
ward the stables. Hold on, Larry"
called Harold. What has got into
your legs. Are you doing ANYTHING for
that rheumatism"
Sure, Mr.. Brentley. can't see how
medicine l swallow is going to help my
legs, but old Doc Whitley says to keep
on taking it."
I'm afraid that cooking you do over
there is none too good for you Larry
why didn't you marry, and now you'd
have wife to take care of your aches
and pains?"
We'll, Mr.. Brentley." began Larry
slowly and standing with his left hand
on his hip and his right hand holding
his knee. lit was just because l was
too hard-headed to give in on any.
thing. and while was waiting for the
girl to give in on everything she mar
ried a fellow that was so glad to get
her he didn't care who give in nor how
much
That is rather a vague explanation
and surprising one to me, Larry l
never found you hard-headed." Har-
old was curiously interested
But you never found me till after
I'd learned thing or two" responded
Larry. It's long story, but if you
want to hear it all I'll tell you"
60 ahead, Larry" Harold smiled en-
couragingly.
You see," began Larry, Mary
Glenn and me was the same as en-
gagged, and l was so jealous | didn't
want her to dance with the other fell
lows. She was a girl with as many
ways of smiling as a mocking bird has
of singing, and, of course, the fellows
fiocked around her. One evening |
got mad cause she danced three times
with the same fellow, and | guess |
took nip more than was good for my
temper, and on the way home | laid
down the law to Mary She didn't get
riled, but she said, just as calm as you
please: Whenever you get ready to
quit bullying me and to let drink alone
as much as you want me to let the
other boys alone, then I'll be ready to
give in about anything in reason.
There's got to be giving in on both
sides, or we don't keep company any
more, and that's all I've got to say
1t was all she did say, too, and my
storming around about girl trying to
interfere with mans personal liberty
didn't draw one word from her. When
she reached her fathers gate she
flounced into the house quick as light
ming and at Christmas the same year
she married another fellow"
And you, Larry-what did you do
them" Harold asked this perfunctor-
lily to bring Larrys mind from the far
away past.
Me? | sailed for America, and I've
been here ever since So,' concluded
Larry, you see, here | am, with no
wife to help me carry the load that
comes with the years."
Yes, Larry, think do see said
Harold slowly, Then he got up abrupt
ly and went into the house. He closed
his study door and went straight to
the telephone. During the brief inter
val until he received a reply no visible
muscle moved, but his face grew very
pale and his heart pounded away like
stationary engine.
Colonel Hunters resdence?" Then,
almost instantly, May speak to Miss
Eunice?" His attitude remained rigid
as he awaited her voice in the re.
ceiver
'Eunice, this is Harold. May l talk
to you little while?" The hand that
held the receiver was trembling
There's lot I'd like to say that
could hardly be said over the tele-
phone, but If | told you that I've be-
gun to see some things differently
would you let me come to see you and
explain?" And Harold, whose argu-
ments in court were noted for their
directness, found himself floundering
for words in which to present his side
of the case to the calm-voiced young
woman at the other end of the wire
We'll, no; perhaps that is not ex-
actly explicit The only way | can be
explicit is to say frankly that I'm
ashamed of the attitude | took when |
we disagreed over whether | should |
dictate to you about your professional |
associates any more than you about |
mine Harold almost embraced the |
telephone instrument as he added, in
his most pers asive tones: And, ,
Eunice, you've made such a success as
a social worker among unfortunate
women, won't you undertake to set t
right and make happy one mere man
whose mind is open to conviction and
whose heart is starving for yOu?"
A very brief pause marked the birth
OF a blissful expression on liarold's
face.
You say Central is not deaf? I'm
not either Eunice, and 1t makes me
happy to hear that gentle tone in your
voice If come by in fifteen minutes
will you go for a long ride and supper
at the Country club" The interval
that followed was intintesimal I'm
on my way now. dearest"
The receiver was still swinging on
its hook when Harold went from the
room and called to Larry
Never mind about the horse. Larry;
I'm going out in my car
And you're not going alone either,
or | miss my guess chuckled Larry
to himself, as he limped away toward
the stables.
s,..t,,r',,f' fHs- ly STrClgr. N.yurauer