The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-01

pant was Walter
II took her but a short time to die
cover that the boat was headed for a
point much farther up stream than
her present position.
Il came the wrong way after ALL"
she walled. - she waved her pocket
handkerchief frantically In the almost
hopeless effort to attract the attention
OF the occupant Of the boat. Though
how was to know there was more
than one PATH"
Anne was seen. nevertheless. ana
he little boat soon changed u
course. and came directly towards hss.
AT the came instant. to complicate
matters. Anne heard the unmistakabls.
though distant sound Of . motor car
approaching along the road.
Ordinarily Anne would have realised
that . large number Of people are The
posseesors Of motor cars at the pres
ent time. but now she Immediately
jumped TO the conclusion that II mus:
be her father.
A dreadful fear assailed her lest
Walter and her father should meet. in
this lonely spot. Her father was 4 Wig.
orous. hot tempered man. He had
never liked Walter What might hs
not do now in his anger! Walter
would certainly stand no chance
against his possible onslaught.
Anne suddenly wished that Walter
was not quite 80. oh. we'll. lady-like
and namby-pamby-there were no
other terms for it-though these were
the qualities which had especially at.
tracted her to him In the first place. II
he were only more like Herbert Sar.
geant He could have fought his own
battles and hers. too. And then the
hot color flooded her cheeks ms she re.
membered that II was Herbert Sar.
geant whom her father had desired
her to marry. and that It was on his
account that Walter and herself had
been forced into hasty action.
Oh. II she had only let the boat go
on Its course unhindered.
But that wish was vain, for while
Anne had been giving way to her
fears, the motor boat. all unheeded by
her. had come close to the shore, and
a cheerful. familiar voice now called
out. Il wasn't expecting to find you
away down here, Anne"
Anne started
With dismay. she saw that the oc.
cupant of the boat was not Walter
james, but. Of all persons In the
world, Herbert Sergeant
"Were-were you looking for me?"
she managed to stammer out incred.
ulously.
who else?" Herbert laughed.
A feeling Of intense relief swept
over Anne. She had not known before
that Walter and Herbert were friends
she did not quite understand yet
how they could be-still, since Her.
bert was here. everything must be all
right. She had known Herbert all her
life. and she could trust him implicit
~. She knew he would take care Of
her.
The automobile passed on along the
country road unheeded and forgotten.
Let me help you into the boat"
Herbert commanded kindly, almost
enderly, springing lightly TO her side.
Ind Anne Obeyed him without Ques-
ion.
Taking his place at the wheel. he
sent the boat speeding across the
liver.
Anne watched him silently. Now
hat she had time to review the stu.
tion calmly she began to have seri.
us regrets as to the step she had
AIKEN. II was too late. however. to
ack out. She must 20 on to the end
why could Walter not come him.
elf" she asked family.
Herbert looked at her pityingly.
Then he burst out. Anne, how
ould you care for that contemplate
THE cur!"
Anne stared at him Indignantly.
oh, | suppose you'll hate me for
.lling YOU" Herbert continued bitter y
;, "bnt I couldn't bear TO have anyone
se know Jim Grierson told me Wal. a
r James had been asking all man.
er of questions about how much
oney you had. hunted the fellow
p. double quick. and after I'd told
m you hadn't q cent but what your
Their felt like giving you. and he
asn't likely to give you anything II
~ married him, he showed tina, he
'nsidered he'd put his foot In II. all
yht, and he was so anxious to get
Il. he blabbed this whole elOpemen'
an. That's all. except that
uldn't leave you to bear the shock y
his not meeting you alone. SO I
nply had to come"
You didn't hurt him." Anne wills.
red. with white lips.
No." Herbert said grimly.
oh. I'm SO glad" Anne breathed.
- A. l.