The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-06
HIS OBJECT LESSON
By CATHERINE cRANMER.

: :
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES |
Larry, have my horse ready at five |
today" As Harold Brentley spoke his !
attention was attracted by old Larry's |
unusual lameness as he started on to- |
ward the stables. Hold on, Larry"
called Harold. what has got into
your legs. Are you doing anything for
that rheumatism?"
"Sure, Mr.. Brentley. can't see how
medicine l swallow is going to help my
legs, but old Doc Whitley says to keep
on taking It,"
I'm afraid that cooking you do over
there is none too good for you. Larry,
why didn't you marry, and now you'd
have wife to take care Of your aches
and pains?"
"well. Mr.. Brentley," began Larry
slowly and standing with his left hand
on his hip and his right hand holding
his knee. 1T was just because was
too hard-headed to give in on any.
thing, and while was waiting for the
girl to give in on everything she mar
ried q fellow that was so glad to get
her he didn't care who give in nor how
much"
"That is rather Q vague explanation
and q surprising one to me, Larry. /
never found you hard-headed." Har-
old was curiously interested.
But you never found me till after
I'd learned q thing or two" responded
Larry. It's . long story, but II you
want to hear 1t all I'll tell you"
go ahead, Larry" Harold smiled en-
| couragingly.
"You see." began Larry. MARY
Glenn and me was the same as en-
gagged, and l was SO Jealous didn't
want her to dance with the other fel-
lows. She was a girl with as many
ways Of smiling as q hooking bird has
of singing, and, Of course, the fellows
fiocked around her. One evening
got mad cause she danced three times
with the same fellow, and l guess
took a nip more than was good for my
temper, and on the way home l laid
down the law to Mary. She didn't get
riled, but she said, just as calm as you
please: Whenever you get ready to
quit bullying me and to let drink alone
as much as you want me to let the
other boys alone, then I'll be ready to
give in about anything in reason.
There's got to be giving in on both
sides, or we don't keep company any
more, and that's all I've got to say
1t was all she did say, too, and my
storming around about girl trying to
interfere with mans personal liberty
didn't draw one word from her. When
she reached her fathers gate she
fiounced into the house quick as light,
ming and at Christmas the same year
she married another fellow"
"And you, Larry-what did you dc
then?" Harold asked this perfunctor
lily to bring Larry's mind from the far
away past.
"Me? sailed for America, and I've
been here ever since. &c." concluded
: Larry, you see, here l am, with M
! wife to help me carry the load thai
!, comes with the years."
Yes, Larry, think do see," sale
Harold slowly. Then he got up abrupt
ly and went into the house. He CLOSED
his study door and went straight II
!, the telephone. During the brief inter
. val until he received reply no visible
muscle moved, but his face grew yer.
:. pale and his heart pounded away lik
a a stationary engine.
Colonel Hunters residence?" Then
4 almost instantly, May / speak to Mis-
Eunice?" His attitude remained rigi'
g as he awaited her voice In the r.
h ceiver
"Eunice, this is Harold. May tall
, to you little while?" The hand. tina
a held the receiver was trembling.
). There's lot I'd like to say tina
/" could hardly be said over the tele
,. phone, but II told you that I've bt
d gun to see some things differentl
e would you let me come to see you an
y explain?" And Harold, whose arg,
b ments in court were noted for thei
directness, found himself flounderin
for words in which to present his sid
of the case to the calm-voiced youn
woman at the other end Of the wire.
"Well, no; perhaps that is not O.
actly explicit. The only way l can b
explicit is to say frankly that II
:. ashamed of the attitude took whe
we disagreed over whether l shoul
"a dictate to you about your professions
a associates any more than you abot
q mine." Harold almost embraced tn
n telephone instrument as he added,
% his most persuasive tones: "An'
.. Eunice, you've made such success 9
a a social worker among unfortuna,
w women, won't you undertake to 81
IN right and make happy one mere ma
20 whose mind Is open to conviction an
a whose heart is starving for your"
n A very brief pause marked the Dirt
~ of a blissful expression on Harold
,e face.
"You say Central is not deaf? Il
not either, Eunice, and it makes n
happy to hear that gentle tone in 20,
voice. If / come by in fifteen minute
N will you go for long ride and supp'
m at the Country club?" The interv
IS that followed was infinitesimal. ~
Oh on my way now, dearest!"
u The receiver was still swinging 9
III it's hook when Harold went from Il
sh room and called to Larry:
nc Never mind about the horse, LAIR,
u I'm going out in my car"
u "And you're not going alone eithe
Is or I miss my guess" chuckled Larl
ie to himself, as he limped away towal
e, | tho ofa hlas