The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-20
| WRAPPED IN
PINK PAPER
by MARION GORDON

$40 ooACN CARCCt6ullys
Dear" said her lovers voice, I'm
sorry that l cannot come tonight.
May l come tomorrow evening in
stead?"
why not this EVENING"" pouted
Helena.
"Oh. because!" he cried gayly. I'll
tell you another time. It's q secret
Just now
Jack! Very Welcome tomor-
row evening II you have nothing bet
ter to do" and decidedly out Of tenn
per Helena hung up the receiver. cut
ting OF Jack Henshaw's words with
clicking abruptness.
Up in her own pretty room Helena
locked the door and sank into big
chair beside the window. It was bad
enough that Jack should have set
aside her special invitation for that
evening-it was her birthday and he
did not know 1t. Her mother had
asked Bridget to make birthday
cake. and it was to be brought in dur
ing the evening decorated with spun
sugar and candles.
Helena's married sister, Dorcas
Wade, and Frank Wade, her husband.
were coming over and Frank had
promised to bring his cello. Jack
Henshaw's violin occupied q per-
manent place now on Helena's piano
and she had planned an impromptu
concert. This was all to be a. sur
prise to Jack.
Now Jack had spoiled 1t all by
begging on from the invitation.
Helena felt positive that he was 60
ing OF somewhere with that horrid
Ned Speedle, who had q little place
down on Long Island where he main
tanned kennels Of which he might
we'll be proud, for they bore ma
tional reputation. Ned Speedle also
owned a low, vicious-looking gray
racing automobile in which he was
won't to tear around the countryside.
Helena Brooke was positive that
Jack was going of ON some mad ride
with Ned Speedle. Why he should
do this she could not understand. be-
cause Speedle was not at all to Jacks
taste; but he had spoken Of the wild
motorist several times lately and had
expressed q desire to visit the ken
nels at Dogwood.
The birthday evening was not en-.
tirely q successful occasion. although
Helena herself was bright and gay.
Dorcas and Frank came and played
and sang, but Helena sat mutely
thoughtful while the music drifted
through the rooms.
Bridget's entrance with the cake
was q welcome intrusion, and after
they had eaten Of the cake. the
Wades went home, and Helena wal
| free to seek her chamber and weer
into her pillow.
It was not 20 much his not being
there. she told herself, 1t was the fac,
he had deliberately put another
pleasure before the delight Of being
with her.
The next day she nourished bittel
| resentment toward Jack Henshaw
until she believed that his indifier
ences had killed her love.
Late in the afternoon she rum
mayed through her writing desk and
| gathered Ill Of Jack Henshaw's pre-
cious letters into a pocket. One let
ter she kept out-that, in spite Of hel
Jealous anger, she decided to keep;
she could burn 1t after one more
perusal. Its tender words would
then reveal anew to her the perfidy
Of man-and emphasize the fortunate
escape she had had from . man whe
preferred the dubious company Of
Ned Speedle to that Of the girl b.
was engaged toll
So Helena tied the letters in I
freeh sheet Of pink tissue paper. tie<
The square package with Q bit d
pink ribbon, and tucked the letter.
away In q drawer in her desk read,
to give to Jack Henshaw when ht
should como that night. She had q
ready written . brief note to hin
telling him to bring her letters with
him when hs came.
Jack Henshaw obeyed her behes
70 come ct eight o'clock. and his frank
handsome face was pushed when hi
eyes met the GOODNESS In hers.
What IL the matter, Nell?" h
asked bluntly.
Helena tried to be calm, but hel
voice shook when she spoke. ".
asked you to come last night-yos
preferred to enjoy the company Of
How did you know thatf" de
manded Jack.
Il knew" returned Helena Will
more assurance. Il wanted you Il
come last night because 1t was my
birthday and | wanted you" sht
was obliged to stop or betray hel
weakness.
Your birthday was yesterday 2
he stammered. WHY thought 4
was today-and +"
Helena was not listening to him
She was bracing herself to meet {
tragic moment "Jack-Mr. Hen
shawl am sure We have made q
great mistake. know l have. and
I am sure that ] shall never be happy
with you-I-I-am sorry. but
Helena's voice faltered and was still.
A great silence fell upon the room
Helena stared at the msss Of glow
Ing Goals In the crate. Jack Hen
shav stared blankly into space.
VERY well. Helena" Jack said
quietly. almost CURLY. 1T 10 my
pleasure to make yeu happy; II car
best do 1t by giving you back YOU
freedom / will do it-at whatever
cost to myself"
without q word Helena drew hi
ring from her finger and laid 1t IN
the palm he outetretched to receive