The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-07

She stood up disconsolately. q
see" she said somewhat timidly, q
wish that there was something I could
DO that was worth while"
For the first time he turned and
looked at her with interest There
are lots Of things" he said, briskly
You ought TO be able to take up
music or singing. 1t seems to me that
you have some talent in that line"
Some talent Grace had prided
herself on her nice voice. It was not
big voice. but she had been able to
charm her followers. and that was all
she cared.
But this man demanded something
more of her. She said good-by, and
went away slowly. unaware that his
eyes followed her, and that a little
smile dawned IN them.
The next day she sought out Lille
Lane.
Lille" she said, you seem to
make life worth liying-tell me what
/ can do"
Lille was enthusiastic, and while
she talked of her painting Grace was
forced to admit that the dark little
girl had much of charm in manner
and face.
mo wonder Jack Martin loves her."
she thought. "She is just sweet"
Lille was a great help to Grace.
She showed the spoiled beauty that
there were other things in the world
besides admiration and adulation.
Tt was Jack Martin who has made
me see the beauty of doing my best"
Lille confided to her friend on one
occasion. Il can never thank him
enough"
1T was Jack Martin who made&ne
see it," Grace faltered, but he isn't
my friend as he is yours, Lille"
Why, he is" Lille said. HE
thinks you are perfectly lovely"
Grace looked at her, bewildered.
Il don't believe he ever thinks Of
me-"
We'll, he talks about you a lot"
Lille stated. but Grace wouldn't be
convinced. For SO many months she
had suffered from his indifference
and criticism that she had no vanity
left, and-it was Lille he cared for
Therefore. when Lille came to her
with a ring on her third finger and
said, Il have a secret to tell you"
Grace felt her heart grow cold within
her, but she answered calmly:
thinL I lxr1xx, ,,o,,,
going to be married"
but how did you know" Lille
asked. Il thought no one had heard
OF 1t but Jack Martin"
"Of course he knew it," said Grace.
Yes" said Lille, II told him first,
he was chum of Bobs at college"
"Bob?" Grace's voice expressed
establishment. "Why--I thought you
were engaged to Jack!"
"Oh! you silly. Jack was nice to
me because of Bob, and because we
both paint, that's ALL"
1t seemed to Grace that the world
took on new radiance. Perhaps, oh,
perhaps, II she tried she might make
him like her little.
The next morning she saw him at
dawn. His picture was almost finish
ed. and as she came up ITO him, he
said:
Let me show 1t to you"
1t was just an expanse of sea light
ed up by the rosiness of the rising
sun.
How lovely it is" Grace said,
softly How beautiful"
Then she looked up at him. yet
you said that beauty didn't count
much"
II said in woman" Jack correct
ed.
Then as he looked down at her he
spoke with some hesitation, But
your beauty does count. Grace"
Obi" she said breathlessly, do
you really think so?"
Il know it," he said, but there is
a new quality to 1t of late; you seem
sweeter and nearer to me-"
She had nothing to answer to that,
and he went on slowly. For a long
time you seemed SO far away, you
seemed TO think of nothing but hay
ing good time, and life to me has
been a serious thing. but now, some
how, l feel that we have more in
They had long talk after that, and
while Jack said nothing of love, there
was much in his manner of Difference
and OF devotion.
And so 1t came about that in the
iall there were two weddings instead
of one, and the dark beauty OF Lille,
which had blossomed and bloomed in
hose days Of loves fulfllment, was
} foil to the fairness of Mondays
Child. but Grace. radiant and happy,
had no thought of envy. She was
glad to have all the world love and
admire Lille. because she herself had
he great gift of the love of Jack
u