The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-19
THE ONE he LOVED.
ev MARY H. WITHERELI

,s,. by W. G. Chapman
appor fellow" murmured Rose Dai.
,o,, and her gentle face softeheu 40
: t.n handsome young man calne
a,un the pretty park path and SAT
.o~ IN the rustic bench beside ner'
engaging in casual. friendly coh'e'S"
ton. rrrest Har.
mr. He looked grave and troubled. ou!
!. .oemed as though the presence OF
the CHEEKY little woman beside nin
made him momentarily forget MS anAf'
cites. ,,..a
How sorry feel for him!" breatneo
Rose as they parted How unworthy ID
she Of the love of a man like MIN. :,
",f Rose only knew" soliloquizeo
Ernest as he went on his way. An
me! life is a sad enigma.
uere were the facts in the case'
Ernest Harper was engaged to tine SIS
Tor of his dearest friend, Lora Moody
And Rose Darrell knew that Lora dic
not love him. was a flippant fiirt ana
would bring him pain and disappoint'
ment in the years to come.
How she had found this out was ner
own treasured secret
Ernest was surprised to be aroused
from his morning slumber by the an
nouncement of a servant that MT.
Moody, Loras father. was in the parlor
below and would he please dress anu
come down at once?'
When Ernest joined his early visitor
he found Mr. Moody pacing the room
I'D and down in state OF great agita-
| ton.
Ernest" he spoke in an unsteady
tone, i've got some bad news lor
YOU"
Ned" began Ernest.
mo, Lora."
"She is ILL.,"
"Worse." groaned the unhappy faith
er. Ernest, boy, be brave! We deplore
it 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.'
II was a severe shock to the astound
ed fiance, but less from personal grief
than pity for the chum and his lam
lily, upon whom this hard blow had
been brought. In q measure he was re-
! lieved.
III Lora loved him." he said, quietly
"she will be happy with him."
But you-you? We feel 20 FOL
you!"
Don't think of me, MIR. Moody" 70
turned Ernest. Il only wish them JOY
and contentment."
"You are noble fellow!" declared
Mr.. Moody.
"Free!" Ernest Harper whispered 4
himself az later that morning he once
again strolled in the little park. think
ing over the acute change In affair
that had come about. Was he think
ing, too. Of Rose? II 80, that account
ed for a new brightness in his face u
he made her out at little distance.
She greeted him with warm hand
clasp, her face showing deep womanl!
sympathy.
Il am so sorry" she said in q sub
dued tone
He sat down beside her with deel
sigh. 1t seemed as though a strang,
restfulness came over him. He knew
what was in her mind--friendly pity
genuine interest. She was rathe
surprised at the calm, grave mannel
In which he took his trouble Ros,
drifted the conversation into genera
channels. She manifested an interes
In his work. She spoke of book b,
had written and he was gratified t,
discern that she was familiar with al
its details and especially appreciated
the parts of it which he himself priced
At the end Of a week the Moody fam
lily heard from the truant daughter
She was married and was visiting will
the family of her husband He was a,
empty-headed fellow, but had wealtl
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 b
cherished as true friend They wer
seated in tie garden when a littl
brother Of Rose came running up t
her.
Il found the locket. sister," he cried
excitedly. "On the croquet lawn" an,
No handed to Rose an article at whicl
Ernest stared strangely.
"Why!" he could not help exclaim
ing, where did that come from"
Rose turned scarlet, she evaded hi
glance. She was terribly fiustered.
THAT is, Lora-"
Cast 1t aside-yes. l know that
said Ernest, but"
Rose suddenly recovered her CON
posture. W
snail l tell you the TRUTH al
asked frankly. Well then. | felt yer
sorry for your sake"
And sister has worn it ever sine
uh sne lost It, broke in the littl
did" WINCH 81
ssh. faltered Rose, but the tru,
was out and Ernest Harper read he
tell-tale face Alright "
Ernest covered the TREMBLING han
OF the young girl AZ hi. uan