The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-29

en- from whom she had fed stood
laughing before her. and Mrs. Gallo
way. never slow of speech. rallied her.
well! l see now why you we're IN
such hurry to get home! How many
beaux you got. any way? Don't blame
you for sneakin' of to meet a good
lookin' man like Robert Jackson. but,
say, who's the goodlookin' other fellow
down the road apiece, who asked US
the way to your house? There he
goes now. up to your porch. We told
him you was comm. Who is he?"
Cynthia laughed. but queer pre-
sentiment gripped her.
, Perhaps he wants to sell some
thing, or insure the house. or me
or any one of q thousand things. I'm
going to see," she said pleasantly.
She started past them when Mrs.
Galloway broke out in a new place.
Guess one or two Of US ought to 90
with yea stranger like that
Anger and perplexity shone In
Cynthia's face as she turned to look
at the woman. but Robert jackson
came to her rescue. He took hid
stand beside her.
IT think q man would be better
I'll go with her, and you need not &c
to the trouble. Mrs. Galloway" Hi
firm. courteous tone was dismissa
that would have no denial.
Calling q good-by to the women
Cynthia and her escort came to thu
gate. The little house was set IA
back In a green yard, and up nea
the house the stranger, seeing he
approach, stood and waited. Some
thing in his bearing disturbed, 81
most smothered her.
I'm afraid think-it's some on
I used to know" she faltered. Their
was something in her face that sen
J both fear and hope to the heart Q
the man beside her. He stood IN he
way a moment. -------'.---.----.'----..
Cynthia" he said, "now is m
time to speak! II this is a man whor
you once thought you cared about
he has left you alone all these year
without the sternest of good reason
) don't allow yourself to think 20
i still love him, unless you really d
now for what he Is now. An oil
D.. flame is not always as good to war;
, your heart at as new one. Your
;, sure of me. Cynthia. Now-shall
1 go away, Or
Her thought chung to him, but thel
+ was that about Mark that had AWAY
\ fascinated and held her. Now 1t lie
D her weak and trembling.
: "You might come with me, Ro
t ert." For the first time she ia
l. unconsciously used his name.
Together they went to meet MAJ
r Carter. He came toward her with
y smile, medium Of height, Of got
bearing, the old half-insolent, con
dent look on his handsome fair fac
a look that had better become MAJ
the boy than Mark the man. He he
out his hand. j.
Cynthia" he said. uncovering b
head with its fair. heavy hair.
have come back. You knew l won
come back. didn't your"
"How-could. - know? You
}. didn't write," she faltered the wor
!. out In her excitement, unaware tn
; she was not introducing the t'
men.
. lit took me long time to ma
good. I wouldn't come to WON
northumberland I haven't" The
was a little swagger in his voice a
manner. "And-women are fatthf
knew that you
"You knew" she said quiet
"that you went away and LEFT me
caring for you, but not even rea
engaged-you never asked me
marry you-and still you expect
v me to wait-without even word,
spend my life waiting until you
He came closer. the old light in
face, triumph in his voice.
"But you have waited"
Cynthia's glance met the gaze
Robert Jackson and found in him
L. refuge.
81 have not" she said. for Rob
III had come close and had taken
Gu hand as a lasting possession into
80 Mark Carter looked at them silen
e,, moment. II am going to ma
Robert Jackson"
"Well," answered Mark Carter.
lis guess deserved it all right. l gu
ns he's worth it-and have learned
i.o know men, Cynthia. Good-by."
" turned and walked away.
Copyright 1872, by the Mcclure Ne
I'VE paper Syndicate)
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