The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-13
POSSESSIONS
BY EMILY SLOANE.

ried. she had become something OF
small town fixture, with the usual du-
ties of young mother, a housekeeper
and member of an afternoon club. IL
was therefore surprise to John when
she announced one morning at break
fast that she would like to go with him
the next time he went to the city.
You'll be going down on the 2Oth
| for that Axtell case against the rail-
road, won't you?" AS John ventured
no immediate reply, Amy added: i
hope l shan't be a dead weight"
Their first evening in the city was
spent at the theater, but the next
morning John expressed doubt about
being able to dine with Amy that
night
That afternoon, just as she had COM
pleted her purchases, she happened to
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
and go with us to hear that poet ev-
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 off to
delightful dinner.
Mrs. Marlow's party arrived early at
the club meeting Amy looked about
in wide-eyed interest at the handsome
ly 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 filled with 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 night
mare instead of a reality.
In voice full of deep melody the
poet read his ycrses-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. Marlow's motherly bigness
between them, Amy could see without
being seen by John.
"By George, This is surprise. John.
We were wishing for you at dinner
| and Amy said she was sure you'd come
out If 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 truly balanced
woman is 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 we'll
make quick getaway
The handsome womans 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 it was because
of the womans forgetfulness OF his
presence or from a desire to escape
the whole thing
AS the poets voice died away. a
babel of voices rose in delighted com
ment He was surrounded and lion
lied 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 committee
meeting.
Half an hour later, John and ANY
were on their way to the hotel alone
in the Marlow's limousine. Amy held
her head high and her lips shut tight
and John stared grimly ahead for some
minutes before he spoke.
Amy" his voice was hoarse his
sentences abbreviated. "of course do.
serve to be thrown off forever. but
don't do 1t without hearing me. I've
learned tonight what real values are
Most OF all I've learned the value OF a
woman like you That woman is tho
wife OF railroad official who Is much
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. saving that
friends who live in the same anart
ment she does had just room enough
IN their car for her and would not LEI
her say no TO their invitation. Whom
saw that the poet was also of the |
party. | understood. but didn't care |
She had passed out of NV life besor.
that' for as sat there and faced tina.
crowd and thought of you left alone a,
that hotel was ready to fight nv wav
out of that room"
was watching you. John =" said
the now relenting Amy. and half war
hoping that your discontinue was NOT
Jealousy over her forgetfulness of Won
was hoping too that might grow
until | could fill your heart, for I've
found today what sorry. stupid com.
panion I've become"
Not a word like that. said Jobn