The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-14
EXPLAINING Things
BY HOPE AlNSLEE.

igible men in town" demonstrated
Mrs. Davis
Money and good looks and fam
lily mansion are perfectly good accom-
paniments for eligibility said Agnes
indifferently, but what 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
good home with 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 a blacksmith doesn't shock
me any more than that Louis Actons
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 boy bringing
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 is
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
5 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 sc
many unreasonable rules Lpon certain
e clerks that Henry had resigned on
days notice, as Acton had intended
: to force him to do.
+ AS they returned from the concert
o Acton told Agnes very softly that IL
o all he did he considered her happi
ness. and that in taking over the bust
ness where Henry had been practl
u cally manager things had come t
light which made it desirable for tn
d latter to quit the store and the tow
a at once.
l. For your sake, l made no nois
about it," concluded Acton, "and whe
"a you've had time to think the Who'll
matter over I'm sure you'll thank m
for it,"
- "Mr. Acton, don't believe Hem
y Barton ever did anything dishone
III in his life." said Agnes.
is Although Agnes thus ended the di
nd cussion of the subject for that ev
r ming, Acton hoped he had sowed sec
or of distrust that would take root b
=, fore she had chance to hear Henry
side of the story.
/, Swinging up from the station fe
W evenings later with his travelling ba
o. Henry was greeted by a friend wi
ID, shook his hand warmly and told hi
1T it was time he was coming home
rs. set the rumors at rest. After a Few IN
IN ments' conversation with this tai
alive friend, Henry turned white wi
anger and went striding off iowa
the Davis cottage. AS he arrived
! the front door, Agnes and Louis A
-ly ton were Just coming out to enter q
W, latter's automobile which stood thrC
on bling at the gate. Each Of the thr
IN knew that crisis was at hand. A
:, mes was chalky pale. Acton angri
~ flushed, and Henry stood waiting
somebody to break the tense
lence.
Ter "Well?" Acton's voice was boar
the his manner peremptory.
led All will be we'll before l leav
rat said Henry with quiet sarcasm, I
the not until you explain in the preser
the of Agnes why you set suspicious
his mors afloat about me when | VIZ
,ro. away" The two men eyed each otl
lew angrily.
dis. Really, Barton" began Acton,
the suming Indifference, lit is demand
and good deal to ask another to expl
ers rumors which originated solely FIR
i'm. your own unexplained conduct.
der Miss Agnes has drawn conclusi'
atb quite natural in the circumstances
E hardly see how | can be blamed.
Here is my explanation" Hel
drew from his pocket legal-look
paper and handed it to Agnes.
saved it because | wanted to surpl
=, you with it personally. | went to
cago in response to a telegram II
the Great Western Grocers who
r. fered me job as manager of bra
-. store here provided personal in
view satisfied them. That CONT
s tells you how well $, tisfied they w
e.. of course my sudden departure
make things look bit bad,
Agnes" and Henry ignored Acton
further participant in the conve
tor, lis my belated explanation 81
90 factory"
nIin Entirely SO, Henry; and is my
.niI. ject apology"
per. ITS not in order, Agnes; we've
Ia, ,,Ip fr,- lRN Nfta