The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-10-15
1.-THE REVERSE SIDES
BY JACK LAYTON.
eopyright' 1920, Western Newspaper Uuior


the spreading farmland which he in.
iierited was the most beautiful thing
III the world. In it he found his life
WORK and his joy. To watch the grow
ing and plentitude of the labor of his
nahds and brain, was to him a great
wonder and satisfaction. And 1t was
ms misfortune that love, coming later
'nah II came to men who sought out
'heir entertainment, should come In
the delightfui but unsuitable person uf
Hildegard Vane. Hildegard was born
ana raised to an environment very
ulnerent from Stephens meadows.
hiidegard had known luxury and moth.
ing out luxury and its benefits. That
ne should have found her at al, was
uncomfortable. A relative yane had
purchased as a toy a certain farm in
etephen's vicinity, and under this
'anes Midas touch the farm turned
out as probably as his various other
investments. So to the big emodeled
country house on the hill, he invited
occasionally city friends for week
emu visits, and his favorite niece
HlldegaM was one of the most fire.
quent visitors At length, after a
winter season of gayety, 1t was thought
pest by the family physician that
MISS HiIdegard so to her uncle's rural
estate for prolonged and restful
stay; and so, riding upon her pony
one day, Hildegard had found Ste
phen's farmland, and cantering down
the tree-lined avenue, asked the favor
OF drink of cool water. Just at first
the girl had taken Stephen for one Of
the usual helpers When he responded
20 her request in his deferential cour-
teous way, she became interested In
ms personality, and questioned the
elder Vane, upon her return, concern
Ing, the big good looking, farmer"
Her uncle laughed as he made reply,
Look out for your heart. Hilda. A
man like Stephen Strong might DO
more damage to girls heart, rough
clad, than any drawing-room idol"
Hllda smiled retrospectively, "He
looks like his name" she said, "strong.
Tell me about him.
Registering interest already" her
uncle remarked. well, all can ten
is from reports. He's college man
agriculture; capable, successful, hon
est. Welded to country life"
He would he" she unused, "or he
would not devote himself to It."
The proper Introduction had come
about quite naturally. As Hida was
driving one evening with the elder
'ane, Stephen approaching, stopped to
give greeting, After that the girl met
him frequently, and later accepted
various gravely offered invitations TO
inspect the Strong farm, or to drive
through the hills at Stephens side.
Stephen had not realized that in this
proximity hopeless love might come
to him; friendship, pure and helpful,
he had thought of as a possible and
pleasant result. But love came. And
such love as only true and simple
heart like Stephens could know.
Now that she was going back to
the city, and autumn lay upon the
farm lands. Stephen told himself cru
ely that he might have won her love
If he had stopped TO that selfishness.
There was no vanity In the thought,
only sorrow and knowledge of the
sweetness Of her nature. But he was
allowing her TO 20 without word.
without a sign Her lovely eyes had
been wiStful at parting with an appeal
she herself but half recognized.
Stephen Siubhornly ignored their ap-
peal. This was the only life for which
he was fitted. the only life in which
he might earn measure Of success,
but TO tie Hildegard Vane TO isolation,
TO take her from the court where she
charmed and titted-well, he was I'M
willing to accept the great gift Of her
renunclatIOn The uncle had limited
Of millionaire back there, who wait.
ed her favor. EIldegard should not
be tempted In an hour OF sympathetic
feeling for himself from her millions.
SO. politely. coldly, stephen babe good
bye. One comfort he gave himself.
the sending Of q basket of selected
fruits tO her al her uncle's, fare
well Gift before her coming departure.
And now a. he sat he held her formal
"thank Won" note in his big brown
hands 4 square white card gilt
edged and Of brief wording Stephen
held the card gently, and turned II
slowly about. his very touch, a careSS
Suddenly he noticed that he had neg
lecied 10 read the reverse side Of the
card There was writing here. Hilda
had added postscript
Then his ewes racing on to the words
he realized that this was no postscript
which she had written but complete
note 10 her sister elizabeth, evidently
In The city often the girl had spoken
70 him regarding her married sister
Re>s her mother and their asplra-
lions. IIlda laughed lightly he 70.
as she bewailed her diff
ference NJ the women Of her family
dearest BesS." read stephen, ~
am coming hack 10 you. don't worry
The eclipse which you fear for me Is
7of n happcn. But honestly Bess, I'd