The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-04

nave ] really IOuuO ueg-OO SOUus
He crossed the street at the first IN.
tersection. doubled back on the other
side and halted beneath q friendly
maple opposite the group.
From up and down the street came
appreciative hand clappins when the
selection was ended. Jerry joined
heartily In the applause: but bic
tribute was to the soprano voice that
had led the rollicking college song
A moment later be regretted bis en-.
thusiasm; q contralto. bubbline with
little rills Of laughter. noated over .
him:
~Peek-a.boo, you rascal. you. ! go
you hiding there!'"
Jerry suddenly remembered It vas
time to catch the car back home.
He met Patience Ailene Truesdale
presently; the girl Of the soprano
voice was really she. It took nve
trips to Collegevills and three leo
cream socials before he accomplished
an introduction.
Then be made up for lost time. He
called on Patience Ailene a. often -
Normal convention and the strl her
self would permit: patronized soda
fountains and confectionery stores. %
well as the two moving picture thea
ters. literally. and otherwise followed
the path which his uncle's words
should have barred. He fell heels
over head In love with Patience
Ailene.
As for the girl, be could not de-
termine whether she cared for him.
any more than be could be sure her
eyes were blue instead Of gray. She
was caDricious. And yet beneath It
all Jerry knew there were depths In
her nature.
He puzzled still over the mystery Of
his uncle's dislike for Patience Ailene.
She came from his uncie's home town.
Long Rapids: and when he had craft
lily introduced his name into the con.
versation one night. she had spoken
glowingly Of Mr.. Brenton. who was
her fathers best friend. she said. It
was Mr.. Brenton who had advised her
to attend the Normal, so she could be
high school teacher.
There's something troubling you.
jerry" she said. so Unexpectedly that
be was taken completely OF guard.
Tell me what It IT,"
Jerry. laundering. attempted to
finesse: It delayed things . little
longer. but at last he had to tell
Your uncle needn't have worried"
she said coolly. when he had finished.
Il haven't any designs on you or
your prospects. You are wasting time
with me; better begin trying to earn
that thousand dollars. No. I'm not
angry: good night"
Jerry. raging. went home to ind
Uncle Toby. having dropped into town
Unexpectedly. the center Of his own
merry family circle.
In five minutes Uncle Toby. the
wealthy. the courted and the master.
ful. was on his way to Collegeville,
virtually a prisoner in the custody Of
this grim and silent young stranger.
Patience Ailene was alone ON tho
front porch Of the boarding house. .
fOrlorn little huddle which shrank
away at sight Of them.
Nov. sir" grated Jerry. Il brought
you here to say hat your prejudice
against Miss Truesdale doesn't make
any difference. We're going to be
married; and we don't need that thou.
sand dollars"
is this true. Patience Ailens!"
asked Uncle Toby.
Patience Ailene did not seem to
mind the Queerness Of Jerry's mar.
rage proposal. YES" she said, sim.
ply: but Mr.. Brenton. what did you
say to Jerry2"
What did | say. Jerry?"
You said you'd give me q thousand
dollars II married anybody but Pa
thence Ailene."
Correct Anything else: any retiec.
ton ON herr"
Moo"
He took . hand Of each. my dear
young people, he said. your uncle
has put one over a. the boys say.
Ever since | began buying dolls for
Patience Ailene and marbles for you.
Jerry. ! determined she should be
your wife. ! never mentioned one Of
you to the other. II you dreamed |
, wanted you to marry. you'd have flown
apart There. now. never mind thank.
ing me. l must be getting back.
suppose the last car goes pretty soon,
III let you walk that three miles