The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-05


He would send Dan the money to
come and get his girl Saturday was
free. He would arrange to meet Dan.
bring him to Kitty. and see them
married.
That night, on train going north,
he wrote the letter to Dan, and then
tried to dismiss the matter from his
mind.
Saturday morning he was on hand.
eagerly scanning the passengers from
the Murphy train. In the tall fellow
who slouehed out of the smokes he
knew his bridegroom. He had the
dark beauty often seen among the
mountain boys. although his few
years of manhood had already tar
nished 1t with signs of dissipation.
1t was. however. too late to stop.
Briefly introducing himself he hur-
ried Dan up the street to the Pleas
| ant View hotel.
Kitty was setting the tables in the
dining room. bellboy informed
them. Two girls were laughing and
talking at the table. The taller one
raised her head. It was Kitty. She
clutched the back of chair and her
| face whitened.
Il have brought Dan. Kitty" Car
!, ton explained. with vague sense OF
uneasiness.
The color had come back to Kitty's
cheeks. Her eyes cleaned dangerous
ly "You-brought-Dan," contempt
uously. well, you might have saved
! yourself the trouble"
but he wants to marry you he
persisted awkwardly.
Marry himi" she flashed back. II
wouldn't marry him II he were the
last man on earth. A nice sort Of a
husband he'd make for mel"
you mind what you say, Kitty Raj
ston," Dan began angrily.
Kitty never gave him a glance.
"And you thought l would take him,
when l had talked to you and you
knew how felt. You She burst
into tears.
The other waitress stepped up
quickly and put her arms around the
sobbing girl. 81 think you had both
better go away" she said severely.
Il never imagined she would take
it this way Carton exclaimed rue
fully, when they were once more on
the street.
might have known" Dan said sui
lenly. kitty always was spitfire.'
Perhaps she will feel differently
tomorrow" Dick suggested. Il can't
understand It,"
sweet on you. I'm done with her fol
good. I'll Just knock round while
to see the sights and then I'll make
for home" Turning on his heel he
walked up the street.
The abashed state pathologist re
manned for some moments stupidity
staring after him.
/ Kitty was not in the dining room
the next morning. nor the next. mol
the next. Cartons uneasiness In
creased from day to day. To whai
| desperate measures had he forced
her? Or perhaps she was III Either
alternative was disquietlng. At length
he resolved to consult one OF the
Mattresses.
1t was near the end of the dining
hour, and the room was free from
guests. The mattresses congregatet
in little knots. talking. To his dis
turbed conscience they seemed Il
watch him furtively. Plucking up hil
courage, he beckoned to the nearest
one.
Where ia Kitty Ralson?"
"She has gone away" The CIR
spoke meaningly, and he recognized
her as the sole witness OF the un
fortunate Saturdays encounter.
He gave a little sigh Of relief. 20
i then you know about It." His tone
was so miserable that the girl re
Tented.
Kitty was afraid you might bring
that fellow back, so she left"
"But where has she gomez" he per
sisted eagerly.
"n were you would not hunt hel
up unless"-she hesitated--unlesl
you like her pretty well"
| but why, why?" Carton STAN
mered, the blood rushing to his face
| Because Kitty likes you. Didn'
she hang over your table the blessed
time you were in the room? Didn'
she turn color II you as much al
spoke to her? Anyone but a mar
would have seen It." The scorn o.
her one was inexpressible.
His head whirled. Kitty loved him
And he-and he-like one in a dream
he heard himself saying. And II
do like herr"
Then she is at the Bixby hospital
starting a course in trained nursing.
He made straight for the telephone
booth. and then caught car to tbs
hospital All the way his heart wa'
singing. In his chosen work o.
teaching the mountain folk how u
farm he would have a loving help
mate. he would have one Of his PEG
pie.