The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-31

| Genevieve Whitmore was the only
niece Augusta lowering was blessed
with' and therefore her fayoritism
was compulsory rather than a matter
VI cnoice' But Augusta lowering had
oecelVed herself all her life. and con.
sequently her whole viewpoint was
wrongly focused. 1t would need a dis
'inct shock to bring her back to an
understanding of rightful values and
the requisite conclusion was not far
| distant.
Later in the afternoon Geneyieve
sauntered into the room, wearing her
clothes in the carelessly graceful man.
ner tnat her aunt secretly envied. Mrs.
"hitmore had returned to the drawing
room and was making tea. She looked
up as her daughter entered.
! so you are back again, darling? ?"
sne nurmured, as Genevieve leaned
over and kissed the snowy hair.
Yes. and hungry enough to eat a
square yard of bread and butter" said
Genevieve, as she tossed her furs on
chair and slowly drew of her gloves.
The two older women looked at her
adoringly
Genevieve had dropped in at a tea
I in the next block and they talked
about 1t now. In the midst of the
talk Augusta tossed her bombshell.
Gene, did you know Ben NARROW
had returned?"
"Oh. yes, saw him at the tea" re-
turned Genevieve, coolly.
is he as handsome as ever and az
fascinating?" demanded Augusta.
Quite, Aunt Gus" said the girl
carelessly. He attracted me as much
as he ever did" Miss lowering did
not see the CLEAN of mischief in her
niece's eye. Mrs. Whitmore was In
dignantly rafting the teaspoons.
Augustus eyes were fastened on her
niece's white left hand.
"Genevieve Whitmore, whose ring
are you wearing?" she almost shrek
ed. Bessie, l do believe the witch ID
engaged to Ben Marlow!" Augusta
was delighted.
Ben Marlow?" repeated Genevieve
contemptuously. Mother, dear, was
| going to tell you first, OF course, but
as Aunt Gus has forestalled me ] shall
have to make public confession. I've
promised to marry Neal Waite"
| Meal Waite!" almost screamed Miss
lowering
Neal Waiter" echoed Mrs. Whit.
more. family
What is the matter with Neal?" de-
manded Genevieve, rising and stand.
ing before them in outraged dignity.
Matter? The very idea of marry.
ing that insignificant little nonenity!
A pretty picture you will make march.
ing up to the altar with that ridicu.
lousy homely, red-haired infant in
tow! l distinctly refuse to be pres.
ent." Augusta swept to the door.
Lovlier than ever, Genevieve stood
there staring from one to the other
of them. Her cheeks were flushed to
warm red and her breath came in
startled little gasps between her part.
ed lips. Her soft, black eyes were
wide with wonderment
why, Aunt Gus" she said at last,
with genuine reproach in her voice.
How can you talk so about Neal
he certainly is not as tall as | am, but
he is not insignificant, and as for be-
ing homely," she paused and little
smile curved her lips. 81 never
thought of Neale as being homely.
think he has the most adorable face
in the world. She looked down at her
mother and was relieved that she re-
ceived a loving pressure Of the hand.
The mother arose and leaned
against her beautiful daughter, with
an arm around her waist, 81 don't
believe you quite understand, Angus.
ta," said Mrs. Whitmore, quietly.
Understand what?" demanded Miss
lowering, bewildered.
why, that Gene loves Neale Waite
and nothing else matters!" said Gen.
evieve's mother.
Nothing else matters!" repeated
Miss lowering, as she went upstairs to
her own room and sat down before heI
writing desk. Nothing else matters,
she said again, as If the truth Of the
statement was slowly forced upon hel
dormant understanding.
She pulled out locked drawer, and
| from its secret depths she brought 9
| photograph and propped 1t before hel
I on the table. 1t was Of young man
! musician, seated with a cello be
tween his knees. His face was In
! clined over the instrument and one
/ hand drew the bow across the strings
Tears came into Augusta Levering'i
hard eyes as she addressed an envol
ope to remote German town. Aftel
she had written letter and sealed
the envelope she arose and looked de
family at her reflected image in thu
glass. Then she was positively hand
some again.
BECAUSE - she = loves him = o
course nothing else matters!" sh'
cried triumphantly.
Americo-Syrian Trade.