The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-14

u, indeedr' murmured lelnn
aAe' Ironically. I'm right rlad n
IAN Dc. Miss Glare. I'm afraid MI.
ared has been spoiled a FOOD ds.,
'n we ner poor dear mother died."
Mss cares eyes showed tender.
~ u' locus concern for the departed
ohe' She was all attention. all con.
siueration for the old lady who eyed
ner with such frank disfavor
day" 'Aei Aucs-
He is here now" INTERRUPTED
Esme' happily. eagerly. HE has hui
sas' arrived. 1t was for that I was
absent had gone to the depot to
meet him with the car"
ne is here?" Miss Drake rosa
troubled and rufaed. Tom. must
nave few moments Conversation
alone with Miss Clare. You 70 and
Keep Lester busy till call you.
Tow shrugged doubtful shoulders
out obeyed, with look Of what he
would have called "bolstered up
courage at the demure, low voiced
siri waiting for the storm to break
On her pretty head. It broke as soon
as the door closed after the tall. un.
calmly Tom. Miss Drake voice
lairly trembled with passion as she
made her final appeal.
/ have no doubt 1t is only infatua-
'ion' she said. Men are like that
when they have a pretty girl around
them. But had no idea Lester would
mink seriously Of marriage"
why should he not. madam :"
asked Esme gently.
Well, to speak plainly, 1t don't
seem fitting for him to marry. we'll.
you, don't you understand, child?"
IN spite Of herself her tone did soften.
Esme looked very young, very much
alone as she stood there listening.
Miss Drake remembered Tom had
said she was an orphan.
i understand" breathed Esme
softly, her eyes ashine with emo
ton. He is wonderful, is he not?
Why should he even desire to marry
just merely-me?"
The Lord only knows" answered
Miss Drake devoutly. 1.-THE main
point Is he does want to, and he
mustn't be let. That is the real
reason why l came from Washington.
II he won't see sense, then l thought
perhaps you would. Now there's
Tom. nice, good-looking boy. He'd
make a good husband for you, and
don't mind saying I'd be willing to
settle little on you both II you mar
ried each other"
IF married."
tom. l say. II you'd promise to
marry him, I'll settle a couple of
thousand a year on you both"
And suddenly Esme's mirth broke.
and she leaned back her charming
head and laughed. But she checked
herself as the door opened and Les
ter himself entered. Tom behind him.
We'll, Aunt Philippa, did you run
down to congratulate u.s." he ex-
claimed heartily, catching the thin
old figure In his arms and kissing the
faded bony cheek.
Congratulate who?" asked Miss
Drake grimly.
Lester turned quickly and drew
Esme into the family circle.
MY BRIDE" he said proudly. I'VE
were married the day after l saw you
in Washington.
There was a short. sharp internal
struggle In Miss brakes mind. She
looked at Tom. knowing him to be
guilty Of foreknowledge of tho fact.
She looked at Testers happy, tender
face, and last OF all at Esme herself.
Esme whose eyes met hers with q
sort Of passionate entreaty for for.
giyeness.
"Ah, madam, what could dor"
she implored. "He wanted me SO
very much for his wife,"
And the ice melted in Aunt Philips
heart. She sighed and smiled.
Well. child, can you blame him?'
she asked. I've done my level best
to save him. but as long as he's been
and gone and married you, any
how, well-you may call me Aunt
Philly."