The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-27
The colonel. with growing uneasi'

the greater respect. 1t was intOlerable
that this enemy should invade his own
town and destroy his prestige. but II
was none the less fact though the
colonel stOrmed.
Ever since the day Fred Waterbury
in all innocence. had raided the colo
nel's pet stock and had cost him hall
a million in less than six hours. Wat
erbury had been regarded as thing
of evil. The tacit acceptance of his
attentions to Clio Carr became active
opposition. lie was attacked in his
stock operations until he quietly
dropped from the street and then, be.
cause he had done so. the colonel had
made this his excuse for refusing his
consent to Fred's marriage to Clio.
To justify himself in his daughters
eyes, he had pleaded that Waterbury
4 had no means of gaining livelihood,
| ignoring his millions. Until he ar
rived in Carrsville he had cOngratu-
lated himself upon the success of his
(, strategy. yet here was Waterbury
calmly establishing what he could see
was going to be very profitable husi.
ness.
Not only that. but he had utterly de-
stroyed the picturesqueness OF the lit.
tie lake that had added so much to the
view from Castle Carr. The huts OF
the inusfrat tenants we're not so un-
slightly, though they were too crowded
to be picturesque. too suggestive Of
mans industry, but the fence poles
stuck gauntly from the water. and, Of
course, boating was impossible.
An offer of purchase was treated
with disdain and Carrsville grinned
delightedly. They had suffered from
the colonel. In Waterbury he had
more than met his match and they
appreciated Waterbury accordingly.
Then came the final straw in the in.
timation that scion OF royalty had
decided to visit "the States" and would
accept the colonels repeated invita-
tons.
81 am anticipating with great pleas.
ure," wrote the Parsonage. "a visit to
Castle Carr. recall the photographs
you showed me and am anxious to see
an American country place"
For an hour the colonel sat before
the window, looking out across the
rank marsh grass to the ugly wall and
the colony of muskrats on the further
side. At last he went over to
the table and drew out telegraph
blank.
Clio appeared three days later In
answer to the summons. 1t was too
dark to see the lake when she arrived,
but early the next morning she looked
out Of her window and giggled with
a most unfilial appreciation Of Water.
bury's attack.
She preserved a grave face at the
interview with her father. and pres.
emily she departed behind the Carr
chestnuts, clothed with plenipotentiary
powers.
Apparently Waterbury had some
knowledge Of her coming. for he was
waiting for her on the piazza.
"What do you think of the fur
FARM" he asked. Look good from
your side Of the water!'
you ought to be ashamed Of your.
self. Fred" she scolded. "It's perfect.
ly horrid."
TITS your fathers fault" he defend.
ed. Il didn't want to make trouble,
and I wasn't going to sec my musk.
rats 90 homeless this winter. nor was
I going to have my frog industry inter.
fered WITH"
II know" shs agreed. But fathers
In an awful a."
Look here. Clio." he said earnestly.
"rve either got to lick or be licked.
rye licked him good and I'm going to
rub II In. It's the price Of peace. dear.
Your father will respect the man who
has defeated him. He never will II I |
appear to give In. i've worked like .
day laborer ever since spring and I'm
entitled to my victory. You come to
make forms. don't you?"
ITO plead with you" che corrected. |
TO ask you. for the sake q old
friendship. to give up this idea You
will DO paid al you have expended
and . handsome profit"
And II I refused"
Well. - . last vaanrs.s ahe ron.
fessed. ri think father might be will.
Ing to merge the two properties. We |
could build on this side Of the lake. !
It would help the view"
Il think I'll drop over" laughed
and talk over building
plans. Come and see the place"
With little EXPLANATIONS OF wonder |
and delight she accompanied him over
the farm. Waterbury could afford the
best and his place was most com.
plete.
1T seems a shame that this will all
have to CO." she said. regretfully. Il
suppose you will give 1t up"
For you. yes" he assented. and
count 1t we'll lost in the bargain.
think I'll keep couple Of muskrat
families, though. as a sort Of re-
pAop - thn Dn1npo1v