The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-17
ATrap and a
Confession
By EUNlG BLAKE

1T is
There was a brief silence between |
the two men. when Billy Staples said:
Ida sent me Off"
This was all the information any one !
ever got out of Mr.. Staples. There is
a story connected with his dismissal
that puts the matter in a different
light.
Miss Trask was one of house party
given in the autumn, and of course
Billy was invited too. Edith Storms,
one Of the girls of the party, was sit
ting on the porch with Billy and said
to him:
I'm tired of riding, and l wish we
did more walking. Nothing delights !
me so much as to start out on a brisk |
walk in cool autumn weather, when |
the leaves are turning. love to kick |
up the leaves drying on the ground"
Il will be most happy to be your
companion for a walk" said Billy gal !
lantly.
ida might not like it."
Il see no reason why she should OBJ
ject."
Nevertheless it would be just as
well If she did not see US go away to
gether. She's in the library playing
cards."
Pm, perfectly willing she should
see us"
They started Off and were soon in the
woods. kicking up the fallen leaves.
Miss Storms coming to secluded spot
did not seem as DESTROYS of walking as
she had claimed. A branch of a tree
growing very near the ground and
parallel to 1t formed a convenient seat
Miss Storms sat down. leaving room
for her companion to sit beside her He
did so. and the two chatted for awhile
on the scenic beauty Of the spot and
the stiffness, the lady remarking that 1t !,
was just the place for proposal. |
whereupon the gentleman said that he !,
would be happy to accommodate her
If he were not already engaged.
Miss Storms leaned forward, expos
ing shapely waist. Billy resisted a
temptation to drop an arm upon 1t. but
when she turned her face toward him
with her lips very near his he gave it
up. He kissed her.
The temptress rose and walked
away. Billy following her. He couldn't
tell whether she was offended or hurt
or conscience stricken. Their walk
back to the house was in silence. and
when they reached it the girl went
Immediately to her room.
That evening Miss Trask intimated
that she would like private converse.
ton with her fiance. They went into
one Of the little parlors on the main
floor, and when seated the lady said
Il saw you go to walk this afternoon
with Edith Storms. Do you think it |
just the thing to take walks in the
woods with one girl when you are en-
gagged to anOtherT'
Il see no harm In it."
There is no harm provided nothing
occurs that is harmful
Billy made no reply to this.
If you assure me that nothing harm.
full occurred ! have nothing further to
say"
Billy pondered as to his answer, then
said. Ask Edith" Then. rising, he
left the room.
She met her fance in the hall the
next morning. and handing him a note
she passed on The note was simply
a breaking Of their engagement.
Edith Storms. on seeing Billy shortly
after his dismissal, indicated that she
would Ike to speak to him alone. Bill
ly gave her an opportunity. but main
tanned a reserve.
why did you send Ida to me about
what happened yesterday" she asked
Because it is the woman's privilege
to answer all such questions"
Gould you not have saved your
self by
"A lie? No
You compelled me to accuse you of
taking a kiss without my consent"
Il don't see how you could have 9th
erwise defended yourself"
But this reflected on you"
u shall have to bear the imputa.
ton"
Has Ida broken with your"
YES"
Miss Storms did not seem quite sat.
1shed and showed her dissatisfaction.
She toyed with bangle on her arm.
then with string of beads around her
neck
what makes me feel unpleasant"
she said presently, sis that | don't
wish you to think that wish to take
you away from Ida Indeed l am pre-
occupied in that
Don't give yourself any concern that
| should think you are in love
with me-
There was something cutting in this
that called a slight flush to her cheek
"All the blame Of this affair" she
said, falls on me. I'm not going to
bear 1t. I'll tell you the whole story
II you will agree to drop the matter"
Tell it have no reason to follow
It up"
1T seems very wrong Of me, but
shall feel better after having made an
explanation. Ida has recently met a
man with whom she has fallen desper.
ately in love. She wanted a reason 10
break with you and
Never mind the rest. What Won
have told me will never pass my lips"
You forgive meT'
Certainly"
But he never forgave the girl who
had broken with him.
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