The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-21


He turned quickly. Il had too good
IN oiIer to refuse. A firm In the city
offered mo ten thousand for 1t and
wanted an immediate answer. You
were In Foxburg yesterday and could
not wait to ask you. So l wired
Yes You didn't care SO much as
that for the house, did you? We can
put up another"
She rose unsteadily, the tears start
ing to her eyes. Il must think 1t all
over, Eric. | am little upset. Good
BY"
Alone in her room. Rose began to
think - she had not done for
months. The sale Of the house, his
wedding gift to her. had given her a
sudden Jolt. But after all q house 10
only Q house, her common sense kept
telling her. She must do nothing for
which she would be sorry. But some.
thing was wrong with her. All her
feeling for Eric seemed dead. Surely
his thoughtlessness could not Kill
real love 90 easily. Rose sat and
thought 1t all out Then she realized
for the first time that her feeling for
. the southerner was not love at all.
She cried herself to sleep that night
thinking OF Tom. "Oh, what have
done?" she moaned. Il have spoiled
his lie and mine, but l would rather
live in a cave with him than in pal,
ace with Eric"
In the morning she awoke clear
headed and courageous. Before she
dressed she wrote two notes. one to
Eric breaking the engagement. and q
very short one to Tom, merely asking
him to come to see her a. she had
something to explain.
Tom went to Roses house He had
not been surprised to get the note.
Rose. trying to look matter-of-fact
and dignified, met him at the door.
And Tom pretended not to notice her
burning cheeks and eyes which
threatened to run over.
Il will just keep you a minute,
Tom." she said simply, but | wanted
you to know something. 1t is due you.
You were entirely in the right when
We quarreled and am very sorry.
was wrong and want you to know 1t.
And another thing" She stopped
suddenly. then caught her breath and
the color left her face. Il have broken
my engagement to Mr.. Prescott.
think you should be the first one to
know 1t. discovered quite accident.
ally that l did not love him. That is
all. Tom." she said, rising and holding
that mother and are going away to-
morrow for a month or two and will
say good-by. Do say am forgiven.
| would feel better about 1t, you
know"
Tom looked at her steadily, then
took her little pink hand in his. Slow
ly he reached for the other and got 1t.
"Rose!"
Rose dropped her eyes and turned
crimson again.
Rose, do you love met"
No answer.
Tell me. Do you love me?"
Eyes. Tom," almost inaudibly
He gathered her in his arms and
kissed her.
Dearest" he said little later. 81.
too. have something l must get on
my mind. thought would beat
Eric at his own game. Ais fair In
love and war he used to say. and SO
Il H."
Rose looked startled. He went on.
Did Eric tell you he had sold the
housed"
"Yes."
WE'LL bought it. The farm has
valuable coal on 1t, Rose. and l sold
the rights. No one knows 1t, but
am rich now. had an idea you did
not love Eric Prescott and I deter.
mined to try him. too. l got an uncle
Of mine to make an offer for the
house to see II he would sell It. Pres.
colt sent the answer by wire in less
than FIVE minutes. Now am | for
given. dear: The house Is still yours,
you know"
Rose put her arms around his neck.
you are dear, but | would rather
live in the country" she said.