The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-11
HER CONFESSIONS
BY CLARA MORRIS.

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One must never urge a woman to
confess herself; If you do she will
evade you, and bury the truth out OF
sight. It Is her priceless treasure. She
will not be robbed of It; she will not
sell It; she will not barter 1t. But II
you are an attentive and sympathetic
listener she will confer 1t upon you az
an Eastern queen confers principali-
y upon q favorits vassal. Ophelia
had chosen to confess to me- How
well I remember her words!
The First Confession.-You know
my intense nature. You know absorb
love as the sand absorbs water. It ID
my meat and drink. Without 1t I per
ish . thousand times. I have had one
day Of divine ecstacy. Listenl It 10
Easter. The weather Is exceptionally
fine. I have dress which Is miracle
Of handiwork, and Ats to perfection.
have parasol and hat to match. Ny
entire outfit Is an inspiration. I know
that nothing Is lacking. feel the ex-
quidte physical Joy that one feels when
she is graceful: she cannot help It. 1t
is the enthusiasm Of conscious muscles
that have attained perfect develop
ment I feel religious. I cannot stop
within doors on such q day. / resolve
to attend church, and to attend the
Church Of st. Anthony Of the Desert.
As I enter the vestibule I hear the
throb Of the organ; I hear the click Of
my boot heels on the blue tiles; am
conscious Of the presence of several
gentlemen who regard me with inter-
est as l pass; ! feel their eyes upon my
cheek and between my shoulders when
my back Is turned. Ibow my head and
enter the sanctuary; an usher leads
me to q pew near the altar.
Enter Very Rev. -, from vestry;
prays devoutly In most becoming
robes; all pray devoutly; more organ;
faxen-haired choristers with rosebud
mouths look like chanting cherubs The
robust bass does lovely solo; he al
ways sings with tremendous passion
and stirs me up-sings hymn of praise
to his Maker as If it were romance
de Pamour to his mistress. Result: |
feel madly in love with somebody;
don't know who. / sit and dream to
music.
Enter some one, who sits near me.
am provoked that he, she or 1t should
dare to disturb my delicious reverie.
A low voice whispers, Pardon mel"
l turn suddenly, and, behold the hero
I've been signing for all these weary,
empty, and Improbable months is at
my side. offering with graceful ele.
gance his prayer book. l had rather it
were his hand and heart, for l am
surely in love on the instant-splendld
figure, divine mouth, beautiful hands,
The Second Confession.-I knew
that l should meet him again, and l do.
! say to myself, "There is the man for
me to marry-heaven has sent him! !
am unutterably grateful" It is again
OF a Sunday. l go out for stroll,
after tea-of course, escorted. We
reach the pretty park not far away.
My mind drifts from my company.
am thinking of the adored one, and
how easy 1t will be for me to know
him; SO easy that l would rather not
hasten 1t by any act Of mine, but leave
1t to chance, and enjoy drifting toward
the love in store for me. As we stroll
a tender twilight comes on. A trolley
approaches; we resolve to enter 1t.
enter. Can be mistaken--can I be
mistaken? Yes, it's he'll Ye gods and
blessed fates! my hero again! How
we look at each other. l alight; he
watches to see which house enter. All
the while I am looking my best; can.
not do otherwise under the circum.
stances-it's no effort; 1t is inspira.
tional.
The Last Confession. of those
Irritating days when 1t is impossible to
sit still or to do anything for FIVE con-
secutive minutes. There are children
In the observation-disclosures, trouble.
some children, who quarrel at frequent
intervals and drive me mad. 20 into
the street hoping to find rest, or at
least momentary relief. l have seen
him but twice. Down the street I see
carriages. funeral coaches, and
plumed hearse. My heart stands still.
| am dragged against my will toward
the house of mourning. enter unob.
served will see who Is In the coffin
Three clergymen conduct the solemn
ceremonials. I wait through all the
hollow forms. l stand a moment over
the coffin; / feel that I have buried all
that Is worth living for In the casket.
with that exquisite marble face. ]
stand and shiver In dumb rage. Some
one takes me geatly by the arm and
leads me aside. l choke as approach
the door! return into the worldi II
Is an absolute blank to me. I shah
never again care for anyone or any.
thing. For he is dead and gone. A
!