The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-31

In the half light Of an October eve
ming the room was charming. To the
man coming from the frosty outside
air 1t was full of luxurious comfort.
The man paused an instant, his eyes
taking in every familiar detail; then
they rested upon the woman standing
before the open fire.
The fates are indeed kind" she
said as he advanced toward her. Il
was beginning to think myself for
! gotten"
Never that" he answered, a smile
| lighting his face. Think it the exigen.
cies Of business, anything, but not
| that"
AS he spoke he pushed an easy chair
nearer the fire and sank into it with a
sigh of content. Il have lost much, !
know You, who have it always, cannot
| appreciate the charm, the delight of
such room as this to weary man.
1t is always before me as haven of
| rest and has so tantalized me this day
that was forced to yield to my mood
although my desk is piled high with
unfinished work"
Il am glad it was so" she answered
cordially. "Of my many friends, your
presence is the most acceptable
Are you not mistaken" he ques-
toned gravely. 1T has seemed to me
that have lately been on the outside.
1t is as if you had shut door in my
face and said, Thus far, but no far
| ther.'
She dropped her fan and looked at
him in silence. Then she said gently:
Your voice sounds angry. Are you
trying to provoke a quarrel? Do not
l will not quarrel with you"
Then why do you always fence with
me?" he asked impatiently. 1t has
been this way for months past, but ii
is unlike you. | value our friendship
The privilege of coming and going as
willed has for years been my chief
| pleasure. But this rift within the lutte
that you will not explain away leaves
me stranded. Our old-time friendship
is gone"
Believe me, have been most unfor
tunate if my manner has conveyed
such an impression" she said slowly
Jack" with a swift glance into his
gloomy face, for how long have we
been friends?7
For more years than l care to re
member" he responded promptly
Quietly she watched him, but there
was nervous tremble to her lips near
er to tears than laughter.
Il have been a fool" he exclaimed
abruptly.
She let the accusation pass in 81
lence.
And a coward"
you are beginning to see how un
reasonable you are?" she asked as she
raised her fan to hide smile.
mo. On that point my opinion IL
unchanged. was thinking of the lone
Illness of my life, The friendship OF
my side has always been make believe
for l love you, Margaret. | think
have always loved you. 1t Is a com
monplace way of putting it, but then
am commonplace man. would hav,
told you long ago, but l was afrait
that my doing so would end every
thing"
Il think you should also add cruel
and selfish. The words would be ap
plicable," she replied with hardly con
cealed bitterness.
The years had risen in a flash befor
her; years in which she had traine'
herself in the difficult art of friendship
! when her heart was crying agains
such discrimination.
\ Something in her voice again al
tracted his attention, but her face wa
still in the shadow.
Il am in an unlucky humor this al
ternoon else | would not have jeopal
| died my greatest pleasure. Will 20
forget 1t and let me come as hereto
fore?"
Forget it? Mo-" She replied wit
elaboration. Il see no reason TO
changing the habit of years because
4 mood forced a confession from you.
\ we'll understand it was not voluI
tary."
You anger me. 1t is you who wi
/ not understand. There is no little mi
!. apprehension in my mind that | as
you to give me an explicit answer 6
once"
ITO WHAT"
II ITO what? Was there ever such
X woman! Surely my meaning is plai
enough. 1t does not speak we'll fl
your intuition to ask what under til
! circumstances"
\ "And yet l do ask it, Jack. Yo
N have talked and talked. At first a
/ cusing me. Then you dropped into
H sort of monologue about friendshi
II and love, and-that is all"
III do you mean me to understand tn;
III have not asked you to marry me?"
III "You did not even suggest ii"
n well. l am waiting for my a
III wer."
l. But you haven't asked me anythir
III yet"
| Good heavens! How many times {
you want to hear it," he exclaimed
evaporation.
Once will be often enough" 81
answered in a voice quivering with r
strained tenderness.
He leaned toward her, looking stea
lily into the amused eyes.
evil you be my wife, Margaret?
that what you want me to say? Do Il
words make my meaning any palmer
She drew his hand against her chez