The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-10
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EXPLAINING THINGS
BY HOPE AlNSLEE.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
But you can't deny that Louis Ac
ton is the mos desirable of the ell
igible men i'll town" demonstrated
Mrs. Davis
Money and good looks and fam
lily mansion are perfectly good accom-
paniments for eligibility" said Agnes
indifferently. but what man has
doesn't make him eligible: it's what
he is"
Agnes, began her mother severe
ly, as she shifted hcr embroidery
frame nervously. when a girl has
reached the age of twenty-five she
ought to be willing to settle down in
good nome with a good provider"
"A good provider!' repeated Agnes
disgustedly. oh, mother. That sug-
CESS just food and clothes and shell
ter. A moment later she added Il
may as we'll tell you before Mr.. Ac-
ton arrives to take me to that concert
this evening that l 1ld never marry
him, and that hay Ready promised
to marry Henry R}aubn."
Louis Acton likes Louis Acton bet
Ter than he does anybody else, and
hc'll like him more and more as he
rows older" AGNES was still cool
N manner although her voice slightly
trcmblcd. And that Henrys grandpa
;hcr was u blacksmith doesn't shock
me any more than that Louis Actions
grandfather was a clever land buyer
whose close trades were barely with
in legal bounds.
While Agnes and her parents sat in
uncomfortable silence ring at the
doorbell heralded a boy bringing
hurried note from Henry telling her
that he was leaving that night for
| Chicago, from which city she would
hear from him in day or two. You'll
| be surprised and pleasantly, | hope,
! the letter ended, when my story is
ready to tell
For several months Louis Acton had
not been satisfied with his progress in
| securing the favor of Agnes nor with
the frequency of Henry Barton's visits
At the Davis home. But during the
month just passed he felt that he
had gained some ground by having
/ put Henry cut of the running. tempo
rarily. He had bought the towns
! largest general store whore Henry
waS employed, ana al enforced so
many unreasonable rules ,pon certain
days notice, as Acton had intended
to force him to do.
AS they returned from the concert
i Acton told Agnes very softly that in
all he did he considered her happi-
ness. and that in taking over the bust
ness where Henry had been practi-
cally manager things had come to
light which made it desirable for the
latter to quit the store and the town
at once.
For your sake, | made no noise
about it, concluded Acton, land when
you've had time to think the whole
matter over I'm sure youll thank me
for it,"
MIR. Acton, | don't believe Henry
Barton ever did anything dishonest
in his lile,' said Agnes.
Although Agnes thus ended the dis
cussion of the subject for that eve
ming Acton hoped he had sowed seed
of distrust that would take root be-
fore she had chance to hear Henry $
side OF the story.
Swinging up from the station a few
evenings later with his travelling bag
ITappp Oh hU I'M
shook his hand warmly aud told him
it was timo he was coming home to
set the rumors at rest. After a few mo-
mcnts' conversation with this talk
ativo friend, Henry turned white with
anger and went striding off toward
the Davis cottage. AS he arrived at
! the front door, Agnes and Louis Ac-
ton were just coming out to enter the
latter's automobile which stood throb
bling at the gate. Each of the three
knew that a crisis was at hand Az
mes was chalky pale. Acton angrily
flushed, and Henry stood waiting for
somebody to break the tense ST.
lence.
"Well?" Actions voice was hoarse,
his manner peremptory.
All will be well before | leave"
said Henry with quiet sarcasm, but
not until you explain in the presence
OF Agnes why you set suspicious ru-
mors alloat about me when | went
away" The two men eyed each other
angrily.
Really, Barton" began Acton. as
Stunning Indifference, sit is demanding
good deal to ask another to explain
rumors which originated solely from
your own unexplained conduct. If
Miss Agnes has drawn conclusions
quite natural in the circumstances,
hardly see how | can be blamed
Hero is my explanation. Henry
drew from his pocket a legal-looking
paper and handed 1t to Agnes. Il
saved it because i wanted TO surprise
you with II personally. went to Chi
cago in response 10 a telegram from
the Great Western Grocers who Of
fered Inc job as manager of a branch
store here provided a personal inter-
view satisfied them. That contract
tells you how well > tisiied they WERE
OF course my sudden departure did
make things look a bit bad. but
Agnes and Henry ignored Acton as
a further participant in the conversa-
tor, is my beiatCd explanation salts