The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-09
EXPLAINING Things
BY HOPE AiNSLEE.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
But you can't deny that Louis Ac-
ton is the most desirable of the ell
igible men in town." demonstrated
Mrs. Davis.
Money and good looks and a fam
lily mansion are perfectly good accom-
paniments for eligibility said Agnes
indifferently. but what a man has
doesn't make him eligible; it's what
he is"
Agnes" began her mother severe
ly, as she shifted her embroidery
frame nervously, when a girl has
reached the age Of twenty-five she
ought to be willing to settle down in
a good home with a good provider."
"A good provider!" repeated Agnes
disgustedly "Oh, mother. That sug-
ges:s just food and clothes and shell
ter. A moment later she added. Il
may as well tell you before Mr.. Ac-
ton arrives to take me to that concert
this evening that could never marry
him. and that have already promised
to marry Henry Barton
Louis Acton likes Louis Acton bet
ter than he does anybody else, and
he'll like him more and more as he
grows older Agnes was still cool
in manner, although her voice slightly
trembled. And that Henry's GRANDPA
Their was blacksmith doesn't shock
me any more than that Louis Acton's
grandfather was clever land buyer
whose close trades were barely with
in legal bounds
While Agnes and her parents sat In
uncomfortable silence ring at the
doorbell heralded a boy bringing a
hurried note from Henry telling her
that he was leaving that night for
Chicago. from which city she would
hear from him in day or two. You'll
be surprised and pleasantly. l hope"
the letter ended, when my story il
ready to tell
For several months Louis Acton had
| not been satisfied with his progress in
| securing the favor of Agnes nor with
the frequency of Henry Barton's visits
at the Davis home. But during the
month just passed he felt that he
had gained some ground by having
put Henry out of the running, tempo
rarily. He had bought the towns
largest general store. where Henry
was employed, and ad enforced so
many unreasonable rules Upon certain
clerks that Henry had resigned on a
days notice, as Acton had intended
to force him to do.
AS they returned from the concert
Acton told Agnes very softly that in
all he did he considered her happi-
ness, and that in taking over the bust.
ness where Henry had been practi-
cally manager things had come to
light which made 1t desirable for the
latter to quit the store and the town
at once.
For your sake, l made no noise
about it," concluded Acton, land when
you've had time to think the whole
matter over I'm sure you'll thank me
for it."
"Mr. Acton, l don't believe Henry
Barton ever did anything dishonest
in his llfe," said Agnes.
Although Agnes thus ended the dis
cussion of the subject for that eve
ming, Acton hoped he had sowed seed
of distrust that would take root be-
fore she had chance to hear Henry's
side of the story.
Swinging up from the station few
evenings later with his travelling bag,
Henry was greeted by a friend who
shook his hand warmly and told him
it was time he was coming home to
set the rumors at rest. After few mo-
ments' conversation with this talk
alive friend, Henry turned white with
anger and went striding off toward
the Davis cottage. AS he arrived at
the front door, Agnes and Louis Ac-
ton were just coming out to enter the
latter's automobile which stood throb-
bling at the gate. Each of the three
knew that crisis was at hand. Ag-
mes was chalky pale. Acton angrily
flushed, and Henry stood waiting for
somebody to break the tense 81
lence.
"Well?" Acton's voice was hoarse.
his manner peremptory.
All will be well before | leave
said Henry with quiet sarcasm, but
not until you explain in the presence
OF Agnes why you set suspicious ru-
mors afoat about me when | went
away" The two men eyed each other
angrily.
Really, Barton began Acton, as
Stunning Indifference, "it is demanding
good deal to ask another to explain
rumors which originated solely from
your own unexplained conduct. II
Miss Agnes has drawn conclusions
quite natural in the circumstances,
hardly see how | can be blamed
"ITere is my explanation Henry
drew from his pocket legal-looking
paper and handed it to Agnes. u
saved it because / wanted to surprise
you with it personally. | went to Chi
cago i'll response to a telegram from
fered me job as manager of a branch
store here provided personal inter
view satisfied them. That contract
tells you how well ), .tisfied they were
OF course my sudden departure did
| make things look bit bad, but
Agnes" and Henry ignored Acton as
a further participant in the converse
tor, lis my belated explanation salts
factory"