The evening Republican., 1902-06-24
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LIZA
BY FRANK H. SWEET.


I ever saw; a beautiful child with a
wonderful voice."
Again the clear tones foated out
to them, As they died away the
first speaker drew a long breath.
What an acquisition she would
be to my chorus!" he said.
HIS companion laughed.
''There YOU 60 agaia. Never q
sine voice but yon mustbe eovetous
tho penalty Of bsiDg a theatre
manager. suppose
A lew smomeuts later they emerg-
ed from the palmetto. In the door
way OF q cabin which stood ia tha
small clearing was a young gtrl.
At first she merely looked at them
curionsly; thea she sprsng forward
with outstretched hands.
''Mr. LOWRY, for all the worl'w
she cried, her eyes sparkling with
pleasure. Hits mighty pleasant
to see you roun' ag'in. Paw'll SUIT
tingly be glad"
And shall be glad to see him,
Liza" said Mr.. Lowery heartily.
"Ws have had some rare hunts to-
gether. But how yon have grown!
You were only little girl when I
left" Then, nodding toward his
companion, he said: ''Ive brought
my friend, Mr.. Danielson, down to
try alligator hunting. l tell you
your father is probably the best ga
tor guide in South Florida"
The girls faco clouded.
Paws in right pore shape" she
said. He was lost in the Ever
glades and got the shakes pow'ful
bad. I low he can't do no more
guidin' for right smart"
The men looked at each other la
perplexity, seeing which tho girl has.
tened to add:
"Cleb can guide you all better'n
anybody except Paw. lie ain't but
IL years ole. but Paw says what he
don't know bout gators amt worth
tahin lessons on. y
But Mr.. Lowery locked doubtful.
II remember Cleb," he said, "buJ
it strikes me that he would be rather
Il small chap in a case of emergency"
"Paw says ,hat Cleb can get away
with most anything"
"Very well, We'll try him, f
course: it is 30 miles to the nearesU
settlement where Il guide could b,
found. Now, suppose we 60 in and
have u talk with your father
An hour later Cieb came ina
small. freckled.faced boy with
quick, sharp eyes which seemed to
take 10 everything. Soon after ap-
peared Mr.. Lowery's man with the
camp equipage.
ii suppose we can have the old
camp site by the creek?' Mr..
Lowery inquired.
"Sultingly, uuttiugly!" respond
ed Mr.. Dobesson heartily. "You
all act jest like you was 10 home.
an help yourselves. There's RATS
OF garden sass an melons spilin'."
Before night The camp was ready
and late in the evening the two meu
with their young guide went down
to the creek for preliminary
"brush' with the alligators. Aud
it did no; take long 10 discover that
the girls praise OF her brother was
iustiiable. Before manv days the
two men expressed tie ensclves as
perfectly satisfied with his services.
As the days went by the relations
between the house and the camp
grew more intimate. Mr.. Danislsoa
wasan enthusiast in hiS profession
and found the voic, OF the young
girl fully attractive as alligator
hunting. Day after day he listened
to her sing ing, making comments.
suggestions and often accompanying
it with his own trained voice. And
the more he listened the more he was
resolved TO take her back with him
TO New York.
II would like the training of such
u voice. he said to Mr.. Lowery.
'She will make grand woman some
day. If only her language was not
SO bar aIbarous!'
But in time even her language
grew less harsh to his ears. Andhe
eyes were so brown and deep. so
frank and open. What mattered a
few oddities Of expression?
One day Mr. Lowery took him to
a SIX.
"You must 60 slow, Daniclson,"
lie said warnlngIy. "Youarc only 2s
and Liza is no ordinary girl. But you
know the imposs,bllity.
For moment his companion made
no reply; then lie said:
"Yes, l know the imposs bility
I have convinced myself of it a dozen
times. The girl is absolutely igno-
rant, a cracker in the extreme sense
Of the term, while | am what books
aud mnney have made me, and YETI
(af,cr long pause) las soon as !
convince myself, Of its absurdIty
am sure to begin TO make plans to
take her North and give her an edl.
cation
The ncxt afternoon as the two
were practicing together Mr.. Daniel
son asked, in matter Of fact tone:
"How would you like to 60 North
and study music, Liza?'
She raised her eyes frankly. This
was one Of her attractions. She never
showed embarrassment or self con.
seriousness.
III used to low Id like to learn
things right much. she said simply,
but moneys been scase, an since