The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-09
FROM THE ASHES
BY HELEN NEAL.

AND tnaIS Just what can't under
stand. Maude. She has told me that
she loved me. She promised me. I'll
not trifie. Carey; I'll be as true as steel
to YOU And the very next night she
went to dinner dance with that sales
man"
She listened patiently. Poor Careyi
Maude was eight months his junior.
but she felt eight years older.
Carey was in love with 9 girl, q
pretty. foolish little thing, all eyes.
hair and pink cheeks. who had abrupt
~ discarded him for 3 person Of mani
cured nails. massaged cheeks, tailor
ma0e clothing and perfume.
And Maudef Maude was the solace.
Never mind. Carey" she said at
the end Of his latest outburst. Never
worry, my friend. time viii tell which
IL the better man and Laura will see
IT,"
There was one thing about Maude-
she always knew how to say the right
thing at the right time. That's why
Carey came to see her In his trouble.
And Maude loved Carey. She hated
herself for It. She knew she was only
something comfortable to him, like an
old shoe or q warm dressing gown on
q cold morning. She knew she ought
not to listen to his troubles, but should
tell him plainly that she would be no
mans confessor. But, then. Carey
would stop coming, and the thought Of
not seeing him left such a stab in
her heart that she let things go on
and despised her weakness.
When Carey said good-by that night
he placed a light hand on either of
Maude's shoulders. You're a real pal.
Maude, the best pal fellow ever had.
I don't see how some women can be
such angels and others-such devils"
And when the door closed after him
Maude leaned up against the wall a
moment with closed eyes. How diff
ferent would have been his parting
from her." she thought. "a hungry
clasp, a kiss, a look deep In the eyes"
When the Country club dance came
off, of course, Carey took Maude. She
was not without a certain prettiness
herself, this little lady Of much wis
dom. She felt that tonight would be
sort of test, for Laura would be
there, and excitement lent color to
her cheeks and sparkle to her eyes
that made her wonderfully attractive.
Laura was there, all curls and frivol
and fun; plenty of partners, much
laughter and never look at poor
Carey, in whose eyes tragedy sank
deeper and deeper as the evening wore
on. He danced dutifully with Maude.
but dancing left him plenty Of time
for thought, for she was one Of those
dancers that float by your side. He
seemed scarcely aware that he was
dancing with q partner. SO light was
her touch. and SO perfect her time
The look in Carey's eyes and the tur-
MOL Of her own heart made the sit
uation unbearable for the girl and at
last she suggested that they go home.
1t seemed to Maude that II Carey
should ever mention Laura Stacy's
name she would do something des-
perate. They we're silent until they
reached Maude's door. Then Carey
said, despondently: did you see her?
She never once thought of me-"
Then something took possession OF
Maude. "Stop!" she commanded.
Not another word What do you
, think l ann" 1t seemed to her as
II her. voice rose to shrek. i've
stood your silly patter about that
odious little cat, Laura Stacy, as long
as I'm going to. I've listened to the
rehearsal of your tale Of woe till I'm
sick. I'll be no mans vicarious sweet
heart, and, as for you, never want to
see your face again. You're big,
selfish brute who has been hurt and
wants stroking, but with never a
thought of the pain and humiliation
you could infiict Good night"
She turned and left him, and with
her head high walked into the house
and to her room, where she threw
herself on the bed in an agony of re-
morse. How could she have bean so
unladylike as to forget herself? How
she must have hurt himl She must
have revealed her feelings for him.
Oh, the thought was unbearablel
She felt that abe could not endure the
air in her room any longer. 1t was
hot and sitting. She changed her
frock for something less fragile and
crept forth into the garden. How soft
and sweet nature seemed at this quiet
hour! II her own soul were only equal
IL at peacel
How long she paced back and forth
in that garden she did not know.
| Somewhere a clock chimed; was It
two or three? She decided to go in.
AS she came around the corner Of the
house q black something huddled on
the stone wall that surrounded the
yard caught her attention. It was a
man. She came nearer.
what are you doing here?"
II had to do a whole lot of think
ing some place, little girl" said Carey
in a queer, humbled voice, and this
was Just as good as any. You don't
object. do your"
why, of course not" TREMENDOUSLY,
Carey, I'm sorry spoke SO angrily
to you. never supposed that could
so forget myself. l don't want you to
| think"
why what, little woman?"
why, why-think, you know, that
II cared what you think Of Laura
But want to think it. Maude. Why
little girl"
He caught her to him with eager