The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-08
A BROKEN
PROMISE
By WILLARD BLAKEMAN

Walter. you are falling into pit"
How so?''
"It is delicate matter for interior
ence, If you were not my chum l
would not expose myself to such a
thankless Job. As it is, am going to
incur your enmity in the hope of saw
ing you."
"Were you not my friend, instead of
asking you to proceed I would send
you sprawling for an imputation
against lovely woman"
Very well; since must enter into
particulars. I refer to Miss Wallace"
"Do you mean to accuse her Of any
thing evilT
mot as you mean It"
Then wherein IL she at fault?' Per-
haps yop consider her an adventur-
essT
mot that, either"
"Then what do you mean? Speak
before p
He raised his clinched fist.
II make no imputation against Miss
Wallace except that she has a mania
for bringing men to her feet and
throwing them over her shoulder"
"And you consider that is what she
is trying to do with me?"
II believe she is. though my belief
is based on her record. and the evil
dence is circumstantial."
Explain"
First, know of several cases where
she has infatuated men and turned
them down; second, she has no fortune,
and her life would be failure without
one. You are unable to take care Of
her only In the most inexpensive way"
A lover is always doubter, and Wal
ter Crane was no exception to the rule.
II will not trouble you for evidence"
he said. II will put the case plainly
to her al learn the truth. Should any
one malign me to her that is the way
should expect her to meet the
charge"
His friend smiled incredulously.
shake that sardonic look and speak
what you feel like q man."
Should any one malign you to her
she would not take sufficient interest
in the matter to investigate"
VERY well, prove the charge you
make against her."
"What charger"
"That she is intending to throw me
over her shoulder"
ITO prove that would be impossible"
"Then prove that she has treated
others as you claim she will treat me-"
THAT can be done, but 1t would not
suffice. She would make you believe
that you are the only one Of the lot
to whom she has given her heart"
Stanley, who was trying to save his
friend, thought for few moments.
then said
II am in a position to give you the
best of proof in one case. will bring
you letter from the sister of one of
the victims of this woman you love.
victim whom she drove to put
bullet in his brain. The letter will
state what | assert Then | will take
you to the grave of that victim, and
there you shall renounce this siren.
promising me that you will never see
her again"
There was long silence. which was
broken by Crane. who seized his
friends hand and pressed 1t fervently.
He was under too great strain to
speak.
"You agree?" asked Stanley.
Crane nodded affirmatively.
Within couple of days the prom
ised statement was produced. 1t read
simply:
Isabel Wallace infatuated my broth
er, and when he proposed to her she
laughed at him. month later he
committed suicide. We gave out that
he had accidentally shot himself while
preparing for hunting trip"
Walter Crane turned pale as he read
the statement Handing it back to
Stanley. he said, II am ready TO per
form 10Y part of the agreement
Stanley had come in an auto. and the
two went out. and. entering it. the
chauffeur was told TO drive to the
Meadowland cemetery. At the gate
they inquired for the location of the
grave of Arthur Stanton. drove to 1t,
alighted and entered the lot There.
standing beside the grave. Crane
promised his friend that he would nev
er see the siren again
One week from that day Crane went
to Stanley and. after confessing that
he had broken his promise, said that
Miss Wallace had explained the mat
ter of the suicide to his entire salts
faction. She had nothing whatever to
do with IT,
Stanley looked at his friend In
amazement, but made no reply.
"You think I'm weak" said Crane
AS for you. know that you're the
best friend ever had; that you have
tried to save me from what you con.
slider a misfortune There's a story
within story about this suicide bust
ness. If could tell it to you you'd
see how unjust is the statement of
this lady who wrote the letter-indeed
how abominahly she treated
Hold on. Walter." said Stanley
THE lady who wrote that letter is my
lanpap Wara che noe h. ,x.,,,ls