The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-24
Il love you, Lydia. Why don't you
believe me?"
Because you haven't proved IT,
How can prove it?"
aG;ra mo The formula.

uncomfortably for the interview.
While she was dressing she pictured
| in her mind some awkward country
woman, some "gawk" of creature as
she phrased it to herself. She was
surprised at the refined, delicate nttis
woman who stood before her.
She bowed. Mrs. Stranger? she IN
quired.
Doris stood looking at her steadily
her hands clasped in front OF her. Do
YOU love my husband" she asked.
Lydia Emmons, entirely at loss
how to answer, remained silent
81 have not come to you to make
trouble" Doris went on. But you
see, l love Mortimer, and we have no
children. So that will make it easier
Easier for what?"
ITO let him divorce me.
81 will answer you truthfully, SAID
Lydia. Il do not love your husband
at ALL
Then why is your name coupled
with his constantly? Why does he
spend all his time with you? On
won't you either take him, if you want
each other. or give him back to me!
wept Doris.
Lydia looked at her. and an intense
curiosity stirred in her. She put her
hands upon the other woman's Shout
ders.
why does he mean so much 10
you?" she asked He is not worthy
of you"
"He is, He isl" cried Doris indig
nantly. 1T is | who am not worthy
of him. | have not been able to live
as he wished me to live. He is my
husband, and it is my duty to make
, him happy want chance to try.
Lydia Emmons was still more as
founded "But-but | don't want to
rob you of him." she stammered. Tell
me, Mrs. Strange. what sort CT woman
do people say that | am?'
Bad" sobbed Doris, like resent
full child.
Very bad? Thoroughly vicious
and depraved?"
II don't pay heed to gossip unless
, have to. But people in our circles
/. are talking. That was why came to
, you"
What would she thi' K if she knew
what Mortimer had asked her? Lydia
| was suddenly appalled,.
Mrs Strange" she said quietly, Il
am not what the world would call
I good woman. suppose. Maybe | am
| naturally bad. or maybe | never had
dogs chance when was a girl. But
I am not as bad as some think. Do
! you know, | have often wanted an OPP
portunity to make some sacrifice, to
| show that there is some gooc in me.
! 1t isn't much of a sacrifice 50 far as
your husband is concerned, Mrs
7 Strange-but I'm going to make it.
: am going to bring him to your feet
forever"
Doris looked up swiftly into the
others face, and she put her hands
in Lydia's with the same childlike con
: fidence.
: ooh. believe in you" she cried. 81
am so sorry for what said. You are
= good woman. and | shall tell every
. body So"
Lydia smiled AMI kissed her.
On the veranda OF the club MORT
mer Strange was waiting for Lydii
Emmons. He had been waiting mos
of his spare time during the past three
IS days, and he was uneasy and per
'r picked at not having seen her. 1t wa
growing dark. and a sort of jaded 70
Up nance was growing in the man
le soul
m And when at last she came the spu
w rious passion that leaped up in hi
adj heart threatened to sweep him from
1y his bearings. She was dressed all l.
'r- white, ari there was a look on he
face that reminded him, though h
lis did not know why of Doris in the day
or Of their courtship.
al She sat down at his side and the
m two were together at last, as Mort
ne mer had hored. He took her hand
ed LYDIA" he cried exultantly.
he have brought the proof with meth
ur proof for which you asked"
lis He drew the paper from his poke
and gave it to her
in Here is the value of million do
lars" he said What the brides {
u.s. the Reich company could not effect
re yours. You shall keep it, and the pr
ceeds, as the proof OF my love"
to "Morty." said Lydia quietly. "di
ad you ever tell any other woman thf
ne you loved her."
st, 'Not as tell you" he answered.
ne Your wife then. You didn't car
ed for her when you asked her to shar
ms your life in the long ago."
ew Mortimer wriggled in his chat
Why do you mention my wife?" /
err asked.
Because you have the best wife
1ia the world. and are the least deservir
his of her" she answered You are
fool. Morty. just a common little fox
to You are going u get the worst tur
us ing down that you have ever had. VI
of are going to be made to see yourse
IAN as you area little man in big pal
I'M who has lost his bearings and TAX,
er the spurious for the real Go home
nil your wife. Morty and ask her forgiy
ley ness upon your Bonded knees becau
: n YOU need il badly"
ent The man rose furious. tremblin
the You led me on, even if | am
it. fool he shouted What was vo
we game, then? You have thrown avn
M-bora a. 49,,