The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-22
Not on The Calendar


eream-cOlOred pony whisked aroun
the shoulder OF the hill and he wa
riding after her in an instant. But whe
she turned and saw him coming dow
the trail and he saw the sparkle O
her blue eyes and the sunny CLEAN
OF her bright hair he pulled his gra
horse down to walk for his hear
was filled with apprehension. Sup
pose-just suppose Nancy Gage pre-
terred to be alone this glorious Ma!
morning when all the ranges SHIN
mered with the fresh green OF yOuni
grass and the melting blue of the SIX!
seemed to tint the gray rocks to 1
warmer, softer hue With the fiuctu
ating mood of an undeclared lover
Peter felt a sudden GOODNESS about hi:
heart. OF course she didn't want
him.
Good morning Peter Barton" greet
ed Nancy in her sweet. friendly way 81
thought you had started for Honey
Creek"
I've been there. and I'm on my
way home now" responded Peter.
It's long way around then be-
cause this trail leads to the SpOuting
Springs" Nancy glanced up at him
from beneath thick fringng eyelashes.
tie decided that turquoise blue eyes
seen through this alluring screen were
more dangerous than when turned di.
rectly on a chap.
What is the matter? You haven't
heard word I've uttered" scOlded
Nancy over her shoulder.
Heb? Why. you said you were going
10 Spouting Spring" stammered Peter.
reddening.
Il am-and you said you were on
your way home and remarked that
you were taking the long way around"
she said demurely.
You mean-that | better be going
hOme?" Peter pulled his horse and
swung around on the back trail Il
beg your pardon. Miss Nan; ought
not to have butted in on your ride
without asking leave"
"Oh. bother. | didn't mean anything
Of the sort. Peter Barton" returned
Nancy GROSSLY. "Why are you so thin
skinned about such little matters?"
Because I'm in love with you"
blur,ed Peter. Instantly he was hor
riiied at his own temerity So long
as the words were unspoken there was
a chance--a chance that Nancy might
say yes" but now that they were
away from his lips the postponed an
swer must cOme-and he would have
nothing left to dream about during
those long nights on the open plains
when he was In camp with the
boys.
Peter I,artOp!" Was there
catch in Nancy's voice or did he imag.
Inc it?
You're not surprised, are you?" He
was emboldened to continue. Most
anybody could see how 1t is with
me-"
Gould they?" There was no doubt
about it-Nancy's voice was cool.
YES" said Peter recklessly. Il sus.
pect the whole camp knows what
fool | ami"
do you believe so?" asked Nancy
frigidly.
"Yes-y0u wouldn't marry me.
would you, Miss NAM" Peters hand
rested on the satin flank of the cream
colored pony. and the broad brim of
his hat brushed Nancy's shoulder.
There was a flick Of Nancy's whip
and the cream-cOlOred pony dashed
forward. "Of course Id marry you."
retorted Nancy over her shoulder, and
anyone but . man deeply in love would
have recognized the mockery In her
voice.
"When!" demanded Peter ardently.
urging his own horse in pursuit
win you 60 home now IL I tell |
vou'" was Nancy's odd reply. as she
halted her pony and faced him.
"Yes-Ill 60 anywhere, II you want
ne TO-" said Peter dazedly. for as yet
le could not believe that 1t was he
Who was boldly asking lovely Nancy
,age, bis boss daughter, to share the
tumble lot Of a cattleman.
"rll marry you--of course!" called
nancy. lightly though her eyes looked
ark nov. I'll marry you sure. the
hirty first Of September" The white
ony flashed about and dashed down
be trail. while Peter Barton sat like
statue gazing after his sweetheart
hats what she was-his promised
wsetheart! Had she not Just said 80
fiji her sweet lips. and then fed away
'om him with girlish shyness! Pc
r. removed his hat and watched her
ntil the pony and rider had disappear
around the rocky entrance to Spout.
,g Spring canon.
Peter Barton entered the bunk house
70 hours late that evening. and the
* package Of mail matter that he
used on the table before his CON-
,des did not allay their just indigna.
on at his hardness on the eventful
ay of the week.
His face was TRANSPORTED with Joy
nd they knew that something had
appened to lift the cloud from his
row. II was Ben HOlcOmb whose
n rolass dart found the Rullseyc ,