The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-16
POSSESSIONS
~ EMILY SLOANE.


Their first evening in the CITY was
spent at the theater, but the next
morning John expressed doubt about
night. 'n"'
Inat afternoon, Just as she had com.
pieted her purchases, she happened IN
meet an old-time friend of her moth.
er's family, Mrs. NARROW.
MY dear child" said that cordial
woman, after their first greetings
you must come with me to dinner
ana go with us to hear that poet ey.
erybody is raving about-Wheless
Raeburn, you know.
After a quick trip to the hotel.
where Amy left note for John in
case Of his return. they were of to
a delightful dinner.
Mrs. Marlow's party arrived early at
the club meeting. Amy looked about
In wide-eyed interest at the handsome
~ gowned women, the sleekly groomed
men and the soft-footed attendants Of
the fashionable hotel in whose gilded
parlors the gathering was held.
Suddenly her eyes filed with a look
OF panied surprise as she saw John
enter with handsome woman in an
ultra-decollete gown of black satin
which shimmered but little more than
did her smooth black hair. She car
ried crimson roses Amy found her
self wondering If it could be a night
mare instead of reality.
In a voice full of deep melody the
poet read his verses-poems of patriot
ism, Of childhood. Of love. Amy kept
watch on John and his companion,
who had taken seats half facing her.
With Mrs. Marlows motherly bigness
between them, Amy could see without
being seen by John.
by George! This is a surprise, John.
We were wishing for you at dinner,
and Amy said she was sure you'd come
out II you got the note she left for you
in time" In his enthusiasm, Mr.. Mar
low did not notice that his words
seemed to bring a look Of perplexity
into his face.
"Amy?" he asked absently. Where
is she?"
"Oh, in that maelstrom of hero wor-
shippers and sycophants," indicating
the throng pressing about the poet.
Then, with sudden seriousness, he
added: "Old boy, you're a lucky man
to possess such jewel Of wife In
these days when a truly balanced
woman is a distinct rarity. There's
more than one woman in this very
crowd whose husband neither knows
knows nor cares where she is, and it's
fake marriages like theirs that seri-
ously undermine society. You stay
here and I'll get our wives and well
make a quick getaway"
The handsome woman's expression
changed from indifference to interest
and from interest to enthusiasm as the
poets musical voice filled the room.
John seemed discounted, though Amy
could not tell whether 1t was because
of the woman's forgetfulness OF his
presence or from desire to escape
the whole thing.
AS the poets voice died away, q
babel OF voices rose in delighted COM
ment. He was surrounded and lion
ICED by many, prominent and persis'
tent among them being Johns compan'
ion. Bored by the whole proceeding
John stepped into an adjoining room
and. as he would have It, walked right
into ponderous Cyrus NARROW, who
had been detained in a committee
meeting.
Half an hour later. John and Amy
were on their way to the hotel alone
in the Marlow's limousine. Amy helo
her head high and her lips shut tight
and John stared grimly ahead for some
minutes before he spoke.
Amy" his voice was hoarse' Ms
sentences abbreviated, "of course De
serye TO be thrown OF forever, Du'
don't do It without hearing me. I've
learned tonight what real values are
Most of all I've learned the value OF
woman like you. That woman is the
wife Of a railroad official who Is mucn
away from home. She was amused
with my admiration until she caught
that poets eye. While NARROW was
looking for you she passed out and
babe me good night, saying thai
friends who live in the same apart
ment she does had just room enough
in their car for her and would not lei
her say no to their invitation. Wher
I saw that the poet was also Of thu
PARTY, | understood, but didn't care
she had passed out of my life oefor'
that for as sat there and faced tina
crowd and thought of you left alone a
that hotel was ready to fight my wa.
out of that room
81 was watching you, John, san
the now relenting Amy, "and half wa
boning that your discontinue was no
jealousy over her forgetfulness of you
7 was hoping too that ! might gro'
until could fill your heart, for Nv
found today what sorry, stupid CON
panion I've become.
Not a word like that, said JONI
Nobody. not even you, can malign tn
dearest woman on earth.
downright 1915. by the Mcclure Newsp'
Vo0p' per syndlcateJ