The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-29

swer.
Leave me alone now" she urged.
Il want to think it over before ! an
swer you positively
And so it was that she sat there,
chin in hand, elbow on knee, looking
out across the valley basking in the
sunlight. Marshall came upon her.
She could not quite keep the gladness
out of her eyes as she looked up and
saw him. stalwart and strong, with
his youthful dreams still in his brown
eyes.
1T is great to be back in the
mountains, Anne You look today just
. as you did that morning up at old
Chester when went to stammer good
bye to you. was such kid Re-
member"
; Anne tossed the petals of wild
, rose on the clear little stream that
flowed from Deep Rock.
NO." she said. quietly. That was
a long time ago."
Whats the matter with your
memory, Anne? You've changed. l
couldn't sleep last night for thinking
that you left the ballroom after
seeing me without coming to well
come me. You meant home to me.
That's why I followed you to the
mountains"
speak to anybody when Standfield is
around"
"Standfield Meyers? What has he
to do with your attitude to your old
friends?'
Il am going to marry him" Anne
| wondered why her voice did not
culver with her heart.
Without a word he turned and
started down the path.
Tom questioned Anne, a tiny
pulse hammering in her throat,
Tom, won't you wish me joy?"
He came back then, his hand out,
the old brave smile of his youth
lighting his face
Il was a beast, Anne, dear. OF
course | wish you JOY. 1t knocked
me over a bit to hear the news.
was selfish, thinking only of my
own loss. You see, | have always
foolishly, of course-believed that you
were mine. 1t has never occurred
to me that any man could take you
away from me-"
oh" cried Anne, you mustn't talk
to me like that. What would your
wife think if she heard?"
My what?'
Your wife You wrote me about a
girl you said was very pretty. You
wanted to read one of my letters to
her, and when you didn't answer my
letter.
Didn't answer? I wrote to you
four or five times while l was hurt.
"Hurt?" cried Anne, in alarm. "Oh
Tom. how?'
Pony bucked with me and I un
fortunately got mixed up with ma
chine that happened to be passing
The boys hurried me off to st. 10
seph's hospital, where they patched
up one shoulder and an arm unit
they are as good as new"
All the mothers solicitude deep IL
the heart of every woman for thu
only man, although he may be he
senior by many years, showed Il
Anne's eager, tender questioning.
why didn't you let me know
Tom? Mother and would have gon
to you. Haven't you always know
that would do anything for you?"
"All but the greatest thing, Anne
the giving Of yourself"
Aren't you married, TOMB"
mo, never wanted any woman Blu
you. My brother and his wife me
me and came on to meet you, but 20
had gone. l absolutely held you
father up and demanded to kno'
where you were"
II haven't answered Standfield we
Tom. 1t would be crime to MARI
v anybody but you. My pride wa
t hurt"
d You'll have to marry me now, t.
day." said Marshall, his arms abol
d her Then we'll go west and shoe
4. up the town until find out what b
II came of our letters
c. "Alrs we'll that ends WELL" laughe
d the girl happily, while hooking BIZ
r. broke into a melody of silver sor
a somewhere in the young gree
1t branches overhead
n Copyright, 1872 by Associated Literal
ft Press.)