The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-21
An1oINE11E's kMleHI
By KEITH KENYON.


Antoinette's book slipped unncticed
tn the floor as her fingers relaxed
their hold. Her head leaned against
the window frame as she gazed dream
ilv down the green vistas OF the old
rectory garden. II
Hello, girlie!" called tender
voice, and Antoinette's dream He'd as
her lowered glance encountered Bob
by Ortlepp's frank gray eyes, "fhink-
ing of me?" he asked softly. as ne
stepped under the window. III
Antoinette stared at him resentfuiiy' |
Bobby's plain face. rough tweeds
and villainous old pipe were . rude
awakening from dreams OF Sir GAIA
had Of romantic charm.
whats tho matter?" asked Bobby
quickly. Il
"Oh, nothing-only I'm tired OF
everything" sighed Antoinette.
| except me-" added Bobby. rushing
blindly to his fate.
| Autoinetts was twisting her engage
ment ring around her slim nnser. Inc
diamond flashed and almost daz1ied
Bobbys quick glance.
Except mel" he repeated dosEeo'
ly. i
At that moment the ring slipped
from Antoinette's finger, touched the
window sill and then bounded into the
bed OF forget-me-nots.
Obi" cried Antoinette, forced back
into the disagreesble present.
Botby's face crimsoned and then
went gray as ashes.
) He bent down and searched the Tor.
: eet-me- nots for the lost ring. At last
J. he found it and held it toward her.
I. There was queer expression IN MS
y honest eyes.
Would you rather not wear 1t
again, Antoinette?"
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp of perversity whispered in her
ear.
j. "Really"-she managed to assume
o. slightly bored really,
e Bobby, ] don't especially care
IS VERY WE'LL" cut in Bobby, turning
u on his heels. Good afternoon
. He STRIDE toward the hedged path,
e. passing the splashing fountain. with
q vicious motion of his hand he sent
II the sparkling jewel into the air, to fall
III and lie hidden in the water that filled
~ the deep basin.
my ring." gasped Antoinette, star
>" ing after Eobby's form as he trampef
down the path. He did not turf
% around.
~ There goes twentieth certur.
&c knight" she laughed shakingly
y Fancy Sir Galahad going of In
- pet like that!
e O.. "Bobby did not stay long, dear,
=. observed the rector as they sat dow
70 at dinner. He was mildeyed. milt
' .A hammered man, and he quite al
~ -. proved of Bobby Ortlepp.
20 Mrs. Carey looked concerned.
30 II suppose he had to be at the no
~ pital on time," she said.
'A' "Hospital?" asked Antoinette, g
Ing quite pale for no apparent re
n. son.
ne "Yes-he told you, dear. Of course
W. "No-o-o." said Antoinette. 4
.n didn't stay long. Is he me-
The rector shook his head IN
WV child, but you know young Hen
Blair, the foreman In Bobby's ia
Nv tory, Is at deaths door with aneml
~ w. A. a last resort, they are going
'.s try TRANSMISSION Of blood. Bobby {
-. fered himself and was accepted !
'0' came in and told US and then ga
he was looking for you. He want
W., ~. to tell you about IT."
w HE didn't say q word" said A
w. toinette, family. 'Is--is-there
danger. father?"
~. II hardly think so, dear"
IN .Ts "Is It to be tonight?' asked
~ toinette timidly.
,ns 1T was TO be at Ave o'clock.
must telephone the hospital and n
out the result said her father.
fishing his coffee.
NIB yes, father" she said mechanic
ly, and then left the room abrupt
U0
Antoinette haunted the gart
'01 paths that evening. 1t seemed to
that no matter which way she W
she saw Bobby's white, unhappy II
~ as he left her in anger. 1t was
mo- 40 unnecessary, too, for she had br
VI en- her troth only in q moment
:. caprice.
~ At last. standing disconsolate
'heo, side the fountain, 1t occurred to
'ei@' suddenly to make an attempt to
= cover her ring. She groped vii
" for the jewel until the sleeve OF
"' white gown was drenched.
At that moment there seemed
ionn her to be only one desirable thing
the world to be accomplished-to
ID " cover the ring and restore II to
finger
ehh With this thought racing diz
lou. through her head, it was small '
'na' der that Antoinette lost her bala
you' and went plump into the wide ba
gu = "Girlie!" sounded a blessedly ia
sent lar voice, and then strong
mo grasped her scarcely submerged Z
lor and drew her from the basin.
I'll. Bobby's one serviceable arm mana
you to hold her tightly to his breast
inc I've got it," she sobbed hyster
heau ", her cheek against his
minis nc. ,,,h., oirIioo,
lake' This" She held up her left b
le, and the moonlight fell on the &
cT1eO, ,Itco ctopa of her engagement