The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-22

and In the end they were no wiser than
before
Then one fair morning. while the sun
shone on the summer seas and the
wind murmured among the palms,
Blake Worthing told Evelyn of his
love. Blushingly she gave her heart
and hand into his tender keeping. Mrs.
Worthing. delighted at the outcome,
gathered them both to her heart
Il was when the engagement had
been two weeks old that blow came
to Blake Worthing. He was prepar-
ing to go to Barnacle, where the Of
fees Of his fruit industry were stu
ated, when he heard sharp scream
from the front veranda.
He dashed downstairs and found
Evelyn gazing. pale and wide eyed. at
the ocean.
Dearest what Is the matter?'' he
asked
She shuddered and hid her face In
her hands.
"0h, Blake. | have remembered
Remembered? That Is splendid,
dear. Tell me-
my name is Evelyn Ames Mortimer
my father is DR.. Ames Mortimer Of
New York-and, oh, Blake, how can I
tell your Her slender shoulders shook
with sobs.
..'Tell me-" he gently urged.
Il cannot marry you" she breathed.
"Why notY'
Il have remembered"-tr
"You have remembered whatT'
THAT / am already engaged"
''You are engaged2 You were en-
gagged when you sailed away2 And
yeu had forgotten thatT"
She nodded listlessly.
"Then you do not love me-" he said,
rising and drawing his hands away
from her grasp.
But she chung desperately to him.
"Ah, dol do love you, Blakei That
is the misery of 1t all. look back and
think Of Frederic Doerr, and l wonder
how could have dreamed Of marrying
him."
LET me think 1t over, Evelyn" said
Blake as he went away. All day while
he dictated letters or interviewed Gus
toners Evelyn's pale, frightened face
came between. Toward night he sent
a telegram to Frederic Doerr's address
In New York. and the second day aft
erward he met him at Barnacle station
and took him to the cottage.
Frederic Doerr was a tall, thin. dark
man with grave eyes and q preoccupied
manner. He appeared to be extremely
nervous when speaking of Evelyn, al
though he talked freely of her father,
DR.. Mortimer, who had been saved.
He told Worthing how the Mortimers
had sailed on a private yacht, and In
the excitement following a collision,
with visions Of Immediately sinking,
Evelyn had been dashed to a raft and
cast adrift.
The storm tossed yacht had reached
Cuban port, and DIR. Mortimer, al
though giving his daughter up for lost,
had made every effort to find her. It
was strange that the threads of inquiry
instituted by the Workings and Eve
lyn's father had never crossed.
"She has told us Of her engagement
to you," said Blake in his blunt way.
'You will want to see her alone, sup
pose"
IF you please. think you and Mrs.
Worthing had better be present." said
Doerr nervously.
So when Blake told Evelyn that he
had brought her fiance to see her and
that her father was still living her Joy
in the latter news was dampened by
the approaching interview with the
man she had ceased to love.
81 must keep my promise to Fred
eric" she assured Mrs. Worthing. as
they descended the stairs. He said
once that he did not care to live IL
would not marry him."
Mrs. Worthing smiled wisely, but her
arm frightened around the shrinking
girls waist as they entered the living
room.
Evelyn cried Doerr, starting for
ward with outstretched hands. How
delighted your father will bel wired
him at once of your safety"
He made no attempt to embrace her.
and Evelyn was manifestly relieved.
The Workings turned to leave, but
Frederic Doerr put out a OBTAINING
hand.
"Please do not CO." he said, with
embarrassment. There Is something 1
must confess, and Evelyn will need
her friends around her. l am ashamed
to say that'-his voice dropped al
most to whisper-'I have been faith
less to Evelyn Mortimer. one of the
sweetest girls God ever created Be-
lieving her to be dead, permitted my
self to be attracted by another woman
and, to make long story short,
am married. lam no longer free"
Frederic Doerr did net expect the
demonstration that followed his news.
Mrs. Worthing clasped her hands and
cried fer Joy, while Blake opened his
arms to receive Evelyn Mortimer
why. nobody seems to care very
much" remarked Mr.. Doerr, with a
whimsical smile.
Then Mrs. Worthing took him out
side and explained. and while they
were gone Blake and Evelyn sealed
their betrothal with a long kiss.
you belong to me, sweetheart"
whispered Blake. ''The sea gave you
to me-you drifted into my heart"