The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-21
NOT A LuNATIC
syL. M. WESTON.


Mrs. Burnett, with conviction. 1T is
town talk, and you are very foolish not
to break off your engagement immedi-
ately with man who sleeps on
board, eats nothing but bread and milk
and health foods and retires every night
before twelve. What kind of a life
can you expect with such husbandT
81 don't know as those are habits
likely to harm a wife," returned Edna
bravely, although her blue eyes filled
with tears; "but as you say, they are
rather queer for stalwart young man
to adopt"
queer" shifted Mrs. Burnett dis
painfully. II should say queer was
very mild word"
She rose as she spoke and fiounced
out of the room, leaving her daughter
plunged in painful reflections.
A moment later the portieres at the
other end of the room were softly with
drawn and a fine-looking young man
appeared.
Edna looked up with startled air.
40" she gasped, "how long have you
been behind those curtains?"
Long enough to hear myself called
lunatic," he replied, his dark eyes
sparkling with merriment. your re-
spected mother rubbed 1t in, didn't she?
But / hope you won't take her advice
and give me my walking ticket"
AS he spoke, he bent over the girl
and pressed fervent kiss on her lips,
which was shyly, yet Enthusiastically, re
turned.
II can't give you up, Jo," she MUIR
INJURED affectionately, "but l do wish
you would tell me why-why you do
queer things"
"And you can't wait any longerf" he
queried. Patience has ceased to be a
virtue and you are about ready to
break our engagement"
She looked up In his face, and the
love and tenderness that shone in his
eyes conquered her. She shook her
head, saying: "No, 10, love you with
all my heart and have absolute faith
in you, only-only want you to know
how hard 1t is, so you won't make me
wait any longer than Is absolutely nee
essary."
A triumphant smile lighted his face.
He took her In his arms and, kissing
her rapturously, said fondly: my dar.
ling girl, you are not going to wait an
other hour. II came around today to
tell you, but couldn't resist the temp
tation to find out If you could or would
trust me longer. Now for the mystery
A few months ago Harold Flint was
spending the evening with my father
You know the two are old friends, and
Mr.. Flint is my godfather Well, my
brother and sister and were In an.
other room and we began to discuss
the old gentleman, and / said that ]
wished had half his money. My sis.
ter said she didn't, If she would have
to be old like him, and not able to sleep
or eat well, or have any real good
times. l differed with her and said
that l should be willing to sleep every
night on hard board, eat nothing but
bread and milk and health foods, aban.
don evening entertainments and go to
bed early for half of Mr.. Flint's In.
come.
well, to go on with my story, the
next day the old man sent for me tc
meet him at his Office, told me he had
overheard our conversation the night
before and was going to call my bluff
so to speak. He said that he was
afraid that valued money too highly
that 1t was nothing compared with
youth and health, and offered to give
me half of his income, fifty thousand
dollars, If / would live the life of an
aged dyspeptic for six months. He told
me, though, that as millionaires were
always maligned l was to keep oul
contract secret, because the comments
on my mode of life would be as disa
greeable to bear as any other part OF
the test. wanted to make an excep
ton in your favor, dear, but he saiC
that rich men were always uncertain
as to whether the women they loved
were sincere or not, consequently he
thought had better test your love and
faith at the same time. l demurred
and we finally compromised agreed
not to explain the situation to you fol-
three months. Now, dear, what shall
1 dor Personally. quite agree witt
the old man now-that youth anC
health are far better than wealth.
still fifty thousand dollars would Civ,
us such a splendid start"
Il should say so" assented Edna
with subdued chuckle that finally de
veloped into hearty laugh.
At first 10 looked affronted, then hi
frown gave place to a smile as he re
peated: swell, dear, what shall | do
Am / silly or sane7 Shall 20 on O.
throw over the job?"
"Neverl" cried Edna, stin laughing
It's novel but honest way of earn
ing money and-three months viii
soon pass"
I'm not so sure OF that" he grum
bled, when one is the laughing stool
of town; but-but I'll stick it out 1
l can be sure of wedding feast a
the end Of that time" he added tenta
lively.
81 guess you may be sure of that,