The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-02

and il never marry shall leave ner
all my money
Genevieve Whitmore was the only
niece Augusta lowering was Diessea
| with. and therefore her faVorltism
was compulsory rather than matter
of choice. But Augusta Levering mao
deceived herself all her life, and con-
| seQuently her whole viewpoint was
wrongly focused. 1t would need dis l
tinct shock to bring her back to an
understanding of rightful values ana
the requisite conclusion was not lar
distant.
Later in the afternoon Genevieve
sauntered into the room, wearing ner
clothes in the carelessly graceful man
ner that her aunt secretly envied. MRS.
Whitmore had returned to the drawing
room and was making tea. She looked
up as her daughter entered.
!. 80 you are back again, darling!
she murmured, as Genevieve leaned
over and kissed the snowy hair.
Yes, and hungry enough to eat .
square yard of bread and butter, SAID
Genevieve, as she tossed her furs ON
, a chair and slowly drew OF her gloves.
The two older women looked at her
adoringly.
Genevieve had dropped in at tea
in the next block and they talked
about it now. In the midst OF the
talk Augusta tossed her bombshell.
Gene did you know Ben NARROW
I had returned?"
"Oh, yes, saw him at the tea" 70
q turned Genevieve, coolly.
4 "Is he as handsome as ever and -
n fascinating?" demanded Augusta.
Quite, Aunt Gus" said the girl.
4 carelessly. He attracted me as much
a as he ever did" Miss lowering did
not see the CLEAN Of mischief In her
Il niece's eye. Mrs. Whitmore was in
, dignantly rafting the teaspoons.
u. Augustus eyes we're fastened on hef
n niece's white left hand.
10 "Genevieve Whitmore, whose ring
are you wearing?" she almost shrek
n ed. Bessie, l do believe the witch 10
"a engaged to Ben Marlow!" Augusta
X was delighted.
Ben Marlow?" repeated Genevieve,
nj contemptuously Mother, dear, was
lv going to tell you first, of course, but
- as Aunt Gus has forestalled me shall
ID have to make public confession. I've
promised to marry Neal Waite"
|. Meal Waite!" almost screamed Miss
lowering.
Neal Waiter" echoed Mrs. Whit
more, family.
What is the matter with Neal?' de
manded Genevieve, rising and stand
ing before them in outraged dignity.
Matter? The very idea OF marry
ing that insignificant little nonenity
A pretty picture you win make march
ing up to the altar with that ridicu
lousy homely, red-haired infant II
tow! | distinctly refuse to be pref
emit" Augusta swept to the door.
Lovlier than ever, Genevieve stoo
there staring from one to the othe
Of them. Her cheeks we're flushed t
a warm red and her breath came i
startled little gasps between her par
ed lips. Her soft, black eyes wer
wide with wonderment.
why, Aunt Gus" she said at las
with genuine reproach in her voic'
How can you talk SO about Neal
he certainly is not as tall as am, b'
he is not Insignificant, and as for b
a ing homely," she paused and a litt
3 smile curved her lips. Il new
thought of Neale as being homely.
think he has the most adorable fa'
in the world. She looked down at h
mother and was relieved that she r
ceived loving pressure Of the hand
and The mother arose and lean'
against her beautiful daughter, wi
hit an arm around her waist. II dor
believe you quite understand, Aug,
YER ta," said Mrs Whitmore. quietly.
ant, Understand what?" demanded MI
ait lowering, bewildered.
why that Gene loves Neale Wal
YES and nothing else matters!" said Gt
evieve's mother.
Nothing else matters!" repeat
and Miss lowering, as she went upstairs
ap- her own room and sat down before
writing desk. Nothing else matter
With she said again, as II the truth Of
statement was slowly forced upon
nifty dormant understanding.
he- She pulled out a locked drawer, q
ecu from It's secret depths she brought
vent photograph and propped 1t before
on the table. 1t was Of young m
'tter musician. seated with cello
we tween his knees. His face was
clined over the instrument and {
MIS-. hand drew the bow across the strin
lie" Tears came into Augusta Leverin
lhe hard eyes as she addressed an EN-
VIII ope to / remote German town. Al
she had written letter and sea
'ent the envelope she arose and looked
'e W family at her reflected image In
'isn glass. Then she was positively ha
but -, no;r
rried ..p ~, Love. h,u
course nothing else matters!
cried triumphantly.
soon