The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-14
A WINNING PENALTY
BY JEAN GREY.

Elsie turned upon him, her dropped
hands clenching na~a IL yoa star, &c
for an ideal. disda.lins TO work III
worthily, l could love you. starve
with you ioyously." she saIa, but
when you let weak pride and pure
vanity stand in the way
Il don't understand" Davis inter
rupted, looking uncomfortable,
"You-do understand" Elsie retorted.
You think it beneath your dignity to
listen to reason. Graham wanted you |
to rewrite an act. You put the play IN |
q drawer and have not looked at it |
since. Because, forsooth, he's an ass
OF the stage l know it-everybody |
does. But he has the instinct that
tells him what will get over. You
lack It. Your way may be ever SO
much finer"
Thanks for them kind words" Da'
Wis tried to say with merry scorn. but
hurt and angry in spite Of himself.
Elsie went on pitilessly: 1T was
SO with your book-first half Is ador-
able-fresh and witty and clean. Ev-
erybody says so-but you will lug in
dirt all through the last half. Need
less dirt! Yes, you shall hear the
truth II your soul wore dirty gar
ment could understand your sticking
by it. 1t doesn't. You are clean =
your uncleanness is just affectation-
no matter how you pirate about
strength"
This grows monotonous," Davis
broke in, like the Mona Lisa smile.
/ I'd rather be sworn at than have you
so perfectly reasonable. Maybe
ought to let Impotence do her per
feet work Still it occurs to me you
are perhaps more acutely aware of
my shortcomings from viewing them
through the lens of another mans
projections"
only partly right" Elsie answered.
i've felt this coming all along-but
until you brought in Magihn
wouldn't let myself say it-even to
myself. +"
$50 | fetched stick to break my
own head Well, it shall be bless
you, my children" Davis interrupted
J superbly. 'Maginn, the little busy
bee, improves the shining hour. Nat
! urally he hovers over all sweets"
"Maginn has just this to do with
it," she cried, her nails dug into her
palms, Hes below you-worlds be-
, meath youth every way except one
:. he does what he can and does 1t with
sincerity of belief in himself that
quite redeems his conceit If you
=, tried only half SO hard"
you forget. l am not a bankers
I. son." Davis cried, now thoroughly
angry Don't waste more breath
. my dear understand You are
: tired of waiting, of hoping. of believ
ing Maginn, with his expectations
: his sweetly solemn mind, tempts you
sadly. Take him and welcome.
offer you my felicitation, and wisf
you q very good evening"
!. "As you will, but take this Elsie
q answered, slipping of his ring, I
e mere thread of gold with winkinl
FIRE opal on top. Her hand trembled
=, Was 1t for this she had but half al
hour earlier sent Maginn away with
mo" SO kind 1t was irrevocable? Sh
y knew it was wicked, but she had beel
. kind as a penance for hating poo
Maginn because Of his humble pei
n. fections. They we're bearing him s.
It much farther and higher than Lyn
Davis better parts were ever iikel
z, to carry him.
Ia Aren't you truly = sybarite 1
le love with luxury?" Davis asked
d. drawing a pace nearer.
z. She shook her head, her breat
"a coming quick. 81 don't mind lacl
" ing things-hardly little Bit" sh
"A said. THE hard part is doing will
out, because you must II / wer
A only rich enough l should let myse
~ be really dowdy now and them
q. rs that why you are suddenly 6
-, severe with me?" Davis asked, b
=, eyes beginning to twinkle. She fun
up her head, saying bravely with
40 crimson flush, MOI"
- Then why. Maginn and his pc
:. fections aside?" Davis demanded.
-, She turned on him, her eyes fias
:. ing, Let Maginn alone!" she sal
III Mention of him is-insulting. N
concern is-you. You only! Do W
=. think II does not hurt me to ha'
~ you slothful. Indifferent, to see ms
ie unfit to black your shoes going abe,
of you in the race of life? You a
IN not great. but l do believe you ha'
" in you the markings of greatness
CT thought love and trust would he
you to show It, Now ! see my m
m take. You say you love me?"
1T may be delusion-but love
ly. hug It," Davis answered.
l Then If you do-if you ca
tie enough to think Of me as a wife, !
RS ten! Put 1t to yourself thus: Here
lin prize worth winning. I'm going
win It, though the Job is mans sii
lid II means hard work and putti
dragons to rout-dragons OF shyne
he and conceit-"
OF "Ah, me! How highly some peoI
esteem themselves" Davis broke
i'd, Say, guardian angel, what will hs
to pen, II l refuse?"
IT. Worse things-much worse" Eli
said promptly. coming very close a
looking up In his face. For I sh
marry you and make you VOL