The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-06


But you have got to marry them to
cure them, and if they refuse to be
married?"
That's the point" said the old lady
! refectively. How are you going to
make them?"
And you think there's no chance
for me?"
Il think" said the old lady, that
May Durfree cares for you as much as
she is capable of caring for anybody.
But she doesn't love you. She couldn't
love-now. What in the world did you
do to her, Jack, before you went
away? Broke her hearth"
IF had thought that" he answered.
81 would have married her, money or
no money"
I Its the safest way" said the old
lady.
In spite Of the old lady's warning
Jack tried his luck again. He declared
his love. Little Miss Durfree stopped
him promptly.
"Now, Mr.. McCallum, if we are to
remain friends she said, you must
realize that this cannot be. Won't you
try? You know, am fond Of you, as
friend"
Jack told her it was impossible. He
stayed away a whole week. At the end
of that period, meeting her in the
street, he fancied that she looked q
little worried.
Il was expecting you to call last
night" she said, and the pout made
little Miss Durfree look uncommonly
pretty. Jack McCallum was more
madly in love with her than ever.
Il meant to come" he answered
penitently, but | had an engagement.
| had promised to call ON the Du'
points"
20, those girls!" SAID little Miss
Durfree acidly. Il hope you enjoyed
your visit, Mr. McCallum."
With every nerve urging him to
shout that he hadn't, that he hated
them, Jack managed, by superhumar
effort to maintain silence. He had
scored his point. he had piqued little
Miss Durfree.
| lOu lc CltNSl, ouio thS oAu AANy
patting him on the shoulder. But
you won't win out that way, my deal
boy. There's only one chance for you
and even then it's hundred to one
against And if you lose you'll be the
ridicule OF the town"
I'll take it," said Jack decisively.
81 don't know" said the old lady
Il shall have to ask the minister wha
he thinks of it. If he agrees that it Ii
a possible plan I'll tell you
Before the old lady told him Jacl
had resumed his visits to Miss Dur
free. His infatuation was evident III
had lost all that he had scored tina
day in the street. Miss Durfree live
in terror of the proposal that cam
again at last.
May, if you'll be my wife you sha
live on in this house and I'll only com
on Sundays" said Jack. You sha
sweep and cook and dust and Sc,
and"
20 dear!" sighed May Durfre'
s Won't you ever be sensible and Ill
$ derstand, Mr.. McCallum?"
e He took his hat and stamped out c
y the house. But on the next day tn
old lady told him that the minister ha
IS indorsed her scheme.
Y, I'VE must get her out Of her hous
t. for the day she said. How can it
d arranged"
IS Tell her about the new cookin
is demonstration downtown" said JAG
y. bitterly.
+e THE very thing" said the old lad.
n I'll get her to go with me and brin
her here for lunch, and keep her ii
u four in the afternoon, If have to loo
her in this room"
And she did it, II little Miss Du
II free became vaguely uneasy about ht
m home as the old lady chatted ava
IT she concealed it as long as possibl
The old lady was so insistent. ST
IS showed her one thing after anothe
until at length four O'Clock came, al
a the suspense was over.
10 And now, my dear, I've kept you |
ID long that shall just walk over wit
you in atonement," said the old lady
r It seemed a queer sort of atom
,y ment to little Miss Durfree, but she a
copied the old lady's company. But
ID the door the old lady showed no sigl
te Of going away, and Miss Durfree hi
70 to ask her in The old lady walked
- with her-into a transformed liviI
10 room.
For, where the piano had been, Wi
IN an inprovised altar. at which the mi
20 lister stood, and in front of HIM VI
Jack, and on little Miss Durfree's 9th
no side was Jacks chum. Kenneth Ora
m who had known all about the ana
al. but of whom no mention has had
nd be made before.
no wilt thou have this woman fer L
an welded wife," the minister GeL--lde
Il will" said Jack.
IN wilt thou have this man TO be Il
m welded husband the minister
manded.
Little Miss Durfree stared at him
if she were nypnotized. Perhaps I
Ike scene, long dormant in her brain as
70 vision unrealized, suddenly stirred h
lid memories. Perhaps it was Jack at b
ne. side. recalling her love of old. Ho
nv ever that may be. the whispered
. - frmative melted Miss Durfrees hea
he Five minutes later she and her b.
ha,d GO. aJopa tooafhpr