The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-07
The color cbb.d from Penelope's

FludleStlckS. uau. NAaI uOeS IAe
betrothal of two infants amount to-
} she said scornfuly.
Eve heard from the young man
He proposes to hold US to the com
pact"
But he and | have never met"
That's Why I'm having your por.
trait painted. my dear-that he may
see what you're like before coming
to claim you.
"Oh-h," Penelope gasped. taking a
step forward as Il to tear the canvas
in shreds Il won't marry him! 30
there. You were a silly dad, ever to
got mixed up in such foolishness
You've got yourself into pretty
M S."
4i:ut there's money inyolved-a tidy
$4,000"
She wheeled on him. 80 you'd
barter your daughters Happiness?
h" flashed.
II isn't the money, child. but a
-o's mn compact made with the dead
| LIST DO kept" He looked down into
the mutinous face, his strong lips
q '.teiinS. penelope, you've had
/ OR own way ever since you "ere
ooen. Now It's my turn. You are in
/ I" Lound 10 marry this man. Marry
IN YOU SHALL"
ghall-shaIl T." she Knocked With
entering eyes.
iou ought to know your daughter
10 EEL to make SO rash declaration
Suddenly catching her breath in a
sob she fang herself into his arms
"Oh it's too ridiculous. Now give
me Il ',iss, dear old dad, and let tht
whole miserable business drop
The brow beaten nan had been toe
long under tie little tyrant's dominion
% press The pont.
Penelope had a erctched night
Dimly she real zcd why marriage with
this stranger. whose name she did not
know, w..s so obnoxious to her.
When abe took her pose for the
next MOI 1ing's sitting her pretty face
had lost its rosy freshness, teary
look was lbout her eyes. Owen Deer
ing lasho,r on the colors rpcklessly for
4 few monrnts ,hen threw down the
brush
"Ntss Erady, Wat is it, he cried
hushilv. ?lease Il ne
hook arl tone sore too much fan
Penelope. ,7iinar her larls
hr face sls BROKE into los rer. ns
sobbing
on. I'm Ae mo-: unhappy girl in
tlr world
What auout, P aelope, my darl
ing?"
That was chr stsaw too much
DoHn went her hands and down went
her head ulDn his shoulder. In a
stormy gust Of excitement she told
him everything.
II could always twist dad around
my finger! Now he's firm as a rock.
Oh, what shall do
Marry me" DeAring whispered
eagerly.
dad would never consent
Well elopo.'
bright color came into Ftnclope's
checks She was 50 stepped in vii.
fulncss and pcrversity. the suggestion
appealed &c .or powerfully Then
came the ihought q the big. silent
father who had never dcnicd her any.
thing in al. her cherished life.
"Oh no, couldn't get married with.
out dad" sho cried And then. in
the noyt breath ~ know what
wc'll do Well clas p hands and mako
Il solemn .ow 10 harry each other;
and never never ~ marry ANYBODY
else II Viii be a thousand times
moro binding than that silly bctrothal
Of two irr, sponsibl,a children"
Dccring Eoddcd and smiled What
over YOU say" he replied,
Now" cried Penelope. when tho
whimsical suggestion had been acteG
upon. "wa'il beard the lion in his
den"
Several hours later, two flushed
radiant people entered unhcralded
Colonel l'rady's city Office. The col.
onel regarded them fixedly a moment.
then shut and bolted the door
Good morning, young people. WHAT
can de- for YOU"
II VAS Penelope who replied.
dad" she said In a rather siMky
voice. Major Graham's nephew will
have to look elsewhere for bride.
Please write and tell him So I've
promised to marry Owen Deering:
and will not so back on my word"
Coiuncl Brady wore broad grin
as h. mot her mutinous gaze.
"til right my dear And now that
you two have settled things between
YOU. I may as we'll tell you something
Owen here is the ma ior's nephew
Penelope fol- back a step. trembling
with ang'r as she realized what n
trick had been played upca her b. rho
rcr"nt She had worstej. heretofore.
in every battle
Overs arm Slipped quickly about
her waist.
I'd seen you-fallrn in love with
you-hcf2rs the portrait was ever
rhoughi 81 he whispered. Forgive
re dear for falling in with your IA
| thrr's scheme Don't Let il turn yo,,