The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-03
BREAKING THE News
BY WAYNE GRAY. =


Now, Make, you know
Don't call me Make" Max shook
his big blond head wickedly at the
offending one. IF ever kid needed
it taken out of him, you do, and for
a nickel I'd do it myself"
You'll make a fine big brother, 1
don't think so-maybe," Freddie hung
back, but in a rebuking tone, even
grieved and disappointed tone. why
don't you talk that way when Edie's
around to listen and get acquainted
with YOU"
"Its a mighty good thing for Edith
and me there's only one like you IN
the family. l don't mind kids and l
know all about boys, but there's hm-
it. What time did they go?'
"About seven. I told him you was
coming with your car at seven-thirty
to take her out. You see, it was this
way, Max: Edie'd been crying ever
since she came home and the girls
and mother fused over her and told
her it was all for the best and how
nice you were and how they all liked
you-you know the line they hand
out And Edie cried all the more.
Then pretty soon mother asks her did
you two have a fight and she says no,
she don't want to hear your name"
Maxs face Redeemed. He lit ciga'
rette with unsteady fingers.
Go ahead. What else," he said.
Then the bell rings and it's the
boss son down where she's been work
ing this last week and that's all. They
went out to a show"
Freddie stopped short. Even at
eleven one may understand things,
and the look on Max Dittmar's face
cut short any further condolences.
81 wouldn't care, Max" he added
confidentially. Girls is just girls, you
know, and she's engaged to you"
What's that got to do with it when
she'll go out with another fellow" He
turned quickly at the opening Of the
outer door, but it was only Kitty.
Edith's younger sister.
Nov what's happened?" she
laughed. EDDIE eloped?"
Hes having the everlasting colly-
wobbles because she went out with
Jack Lewis"
Mother wants you to 60 to the
store, Freddie" Kit gave him long,
steady stare Of infinite disapproval.
AS the door shut, she glanced at Max.
MAX, will you just listen to me a
minute before mother comes in and
the rest? Edie and l room together
and we've been chums ever since we
were toddlers, l guess. She's cried
herself to sleep for three nights now.
You don't mind if tell you just the
way it seems to me, do you? You've
always seemed pretty big to us, Max,
even before you asked Edie to marry
| you. Father'd give me an awful
scolding if he knew l dared to open
my mouth to you, but it's for Edie's
sake. Do you mind?"
81 suppose she's in love with this
kid or thinks she is" Max blurted out.
go ahead. Don't mind me-"
"She don't think she is. She knows
1t. So does he. But, you see, you've
got father and mother on your side,
and Edie's sensible. Edie told me last
night she didn't dare break the en-
| gagement. But she said she knew
the minute Jack came into the Office
and spoke to her he was the right
one"
Max stood listening, watching her
face all animated and tender as she
pleaded Edith's cause.
Anyway, don't think it's so wrong
to break an engagement" Kit said
earnestly. Maybe by and by you'd
find somebody you liked better, too
Maybe would" assented Max.
Only we'll miss you awfully in the
family" Kits hazel eyes were full OF
regret. maybe shouldn't have told
you. but l want to get some sleep
nights. Mother'll be needing me to
help with dinner. Good-by."
She held out her hand laughingly
Max stood up and laid his hands on
her shoulders, looking down into her
eyes searchingly.
Say, listen, Kit. Would you throw
me down like that for Jack Lewis
Do you think that's fair?"
Kit laughed, and drew back.
Il don't know but what it is.
know I'd have thrown down Jack fol
you if it had been the other way"
Freddie opened the hall door from
the dining-room, took one amazed loob
at the two figures in the parlor and
moved stealthily back into the shad
ows.
Geo." he said to himself thought
fully. he must like our family"
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)