The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-19
M5onE NE LOVED,
BY MARY II. WlTHEREL@

(Copyright 1914, by w. u. Chapn'o,
"Poor fellow!" murmured Rose Lar
rel, and her gentle face softeneo 90
a tall, handsome young man came
down the pretty park path ana SAT
down on the rustic bench beside he''
engaging in casual. friendly CONVERSE
ton. ..
The poor fellow" was Ernest mar
per. He looked grave and troubled, Dut
It seemed as though the presence Oh
the CHEEKY little woman beside MIN
made him momentarily forget his anxi'
cites. j.
How sorry 1 feel for HIM" breathed
Rose a. they parted How unworthy ID
she Of the love of a man like him!
III Rose only knew" soliloquizeo
Ernest as he went on his way. An
me! life is a sad enigma"
Here we're the facts in the case:
Ernest Harper was engaged to the SIS
ter of his dearest friend, Lora Moody
And Rose Darrell knew that Lora dld
not love him, was flippant fiirt ana
would bring him pain and disappoln''
ment in the years to come.
How she had found this out was her
own treasured secret.
Ernest was surprised to be aroused
from his morning slumber by the an
nouncement of a servant tnat MI
Moody, Lora's father. was in the parior
below and would he please dress and
come down at once?
When Ernest joined his early visitor
he found Mr.. Moody pacing the room
up and down in a state of great agltaT
ton.
Ernest" he spoke in an unsteady
tone, I've got some bad news for
you"
Ned" began Ernest.
mo, Lora."
"She is ill.,"
"Worse!" groaned the unhappy faith
er. Ernest, boy, be brave! We deplore
1t all, and you have been the man all
through, but drive her from your
thoughts. She is unworthy OF you.
you mean"
"She eloped last night with Lieuten-
ant Trescombe."
! It was severe shock to the astound
ed fiance, but less from personal grief
than pity for the chum and his fam
, lily, upon whom this hard blow had
been brought. In measure he was re-
lieved.
III Lora loved him." he said. quietly,
she will be happy with him."
But you-you? We feel 20 foz
you!"
Don't think Of me. Mr.. Moody" 70
turned Ernest. Il only wish them JOY
and contentment."
"You are q noble fellow" declared
Mr.. Moody. .,...
"Free!" Ernest Harper whispered to
himself % later that morning he once
again strolled in the little park, think
ing over the acute change in affairs
that had come about Was he think
ing, too. Of Rose? II 20. that account
ed for . new brightness in his face a
he made her out at little distance.
She greeted him with q warm hand
clasp. her face showing deep womanly
sympathy.
II am 30 sorry" she said in a sub
dued tone.
He sat down beside her with deer
sigh. 1t seemed as though strange
restfulness came over him. He knew
what was In her mind-friendly pity
genuine interest. She was rathel
surprised at the calm, grave manner
in which he took his trouble Rose
drifted the conversation into genera
channels. She manifested an interest
in his work. She spoke of a book he
had written and he was gratified tc
discern that she was familiar with al
its details and especially appreciated
the parts Of it which he himself priced
At the end of q week the Moody fam
lily heard from the truant daughter
She was married and was visiting with
the family Of her husband. He was ar
empty.headed fellow. but had wealth
and lively social connections, and
while glad of his escape from marry
ing a woman he did not love, Ernes
really believed that Lora would b.
happy in her new environment.
Ernest decided to leave the village
He went to bid farewell to the girl h,
cherished a. true friend. They wer,
seated In tie garden when a littl,
brother Of Rose came running up (,
her.
Il found the locket. sister!" he cried
excitedly. On the croQuet lawn" an,
he handed to Rose An article at which
Ernest stared strangely.
Why" he could not help excla,m
ing, where did that come from"
Rose turned scarlet. =.