The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-09
and sang sentimental ballads to his
accompaniment on his concertina-


time. In spite of her ignorance, she
had an unusual re inement of mind
and soul. She knew that could new,
er introduce her to my folks at home,
if ever | went back. 1t was not that
would have been ashamed Of her, but
it would have been impossible for her.
1.-THE day before our marriage | re-
ceived letter from England. My ia
Their and brother we're dc ad; both had
been killed instantly in 6 train wrec K.
! / was heir to the title and the family
estates and fortune. In my citation
told Eva.
Il shall never forget the scene that
occurred. How she refused to MARI
me, how her old father discovered
the cause and threatened her, plead
ed with her, implored her. He was
not avaricious, he would never have
left his ranch; but he felt that his girl
was good enough for any man. In
the end we overcame her opposition.
We were married the next morning.
/ and Eva cried all through the cere-
mony.
There was to be no honeymoon. It
was haying time, and after the mar
rage I went OF to work as usual.
leaving Eva to keep house in the little
cottage old Aaron had built at the
head Of the valley. That night, when
came home, Aaron stood at the door,
! waving letter, frantic with rage and
humiliation. Eva had run away. She
would never come back, she said,
would never acknowledge the mar
riage; was to be free. She had timed
her movements 80 as to catch the
night train east. 1t was just the fool.
ish act of an ignorant girl. She may
have had a hundred dollars saved.
don't know what became of her De-
tectives failed to find her. Old Aaron
died cursing her and asking my for
giveness for having ruined my life
You did not want a divorce?" asked
the woman softly.
No. How could 1? | knew that
the brave little spirit that had given
itself into my keeping was mine al
ways; that | was morally responsible
for her; if ever she appeared should
have taken her home and asked no
questions. | kept the detectives at
work for years. And lately | have
felt that | must do something more
earnest to find Eva. So | am going
out to Colorado, to the old ranch, if
it is still there, and I shall try to dis
cover whether she has not come back
Perhaps-I have hoped 1.-THE early
memories will draw her home again"
He ceased and the woman withdrew
her hand and placed it on Lord Al
wyns shoulder.
Stop, dear!" she said. Nov look
at me. I want to ask you a question.
Do you love her as much as you love
me?"
Lord Alwyn laughed rather bitterly.
Il don't love her at ALL" he said.
And how much l love you you know.
But, my dear, because l do not love
her feel my duty the more strongly.
So | am going to try to find her-and
So
Goodbye" she whispered, and rails.
ed her lips to his. For moment they
chung to each other with all the
strength and passion of two who know
that thence forward their lives must
be sundered forever. Then she was
gone and he was alone in the star
light and with his sorrow.
Lord Alwyn spent three days in
New York He called on his detec.
tive agency. but they had learned
nothing. Then he took the train for
Colorado
1t had changed hardly at all during
ten years, that wild, mountainous
country. When he stepped out at the
depot he found the same little station
and the same station master, though
the man did not recognize in him the
boy whom he had speeded heartily on
his way home decade previously
Lord Alwyn hired rig and drove the
ten miles to old Aaron's ranch. The
road was still deserted, still bordered
by barren plains wherein no crops
grew. It was not until he reached
the ranch that he came upon signs of
cultivation. Then his heart leaped.
The little house still stood in its loca-
ton, and smoke was issuing from the
chimney.
But 1t could not be she! No doubt
the place was leased. That account ,
ed for the cultivated fields-for the
girl W. uld never have come back to
manage the farm alone Alwyn drew
rein at the door. hitched his horse to
the old post, and knocked, A woman
opened it. II was Eva, dressed as a
rancher's daughter. a rake over her
shoulder, her hands dusty with hay,
but Eva matured-No, 1t was not Eva.
It was Alice Pasquale!
Lord Alwyn staggered against the
door and his hands. cropping feebly,
found hers and held them.
do you know me now, dearest?"
she whispered Have you found her
again, this Eva. this ignorant girl?"
"Alice!" he said, chokingly, 1T is
you? You are Eva?"
She placed her arms round his neck
and drew his head down to her breast.
You couldn't have known, dearest"
she whispered 1T was cruel of me to
try you so long. How could you have
recognized the ignorant farmers girl
in Alice Pasquale. the singer, the Ital-
ian nobleman's adopted daughter? But
| have waited for you so long, my
dear!"