The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-13
Under
Difficulties

iouhg borsus with satisfaction.
1t sure is" agreed Miss CLANCY
She shrugged her shoulders as she
glanced back at the lace curtains Of
the boarding house window. Inside
the parlor the gas glared holly npb,.
ing up the hair wreath above the man.
tel and glittering on the gauay vase
beneath.
Now, that its got warm eaoueb -
SIT outdoors pursued young Rorgus
stretching his long legs over three
steps below him. we can shake tbe
parior in there Gee. but it was
hefce las winter, never to get a word
Win you without lot of old women
putting IN with Excuse me. but | am
looking for my crochet work, Lovely
evening, isn't it, Mr.. Borguse' or
Siarlng at us for being there at all,
Or having callers Of their own. Nice.
chatty conversations We could carry
on that way couldn't We? i"
On" said voice behind them as
the screen door creaked. is some one
out here Oh. It's you, Miss Clancy
and Mr.. Borsus, Of course. Ahem-
not that meant anything. at all. I
suppose I've interrupted your CONVEX
sation. but It was so hot in there-I
can go right in
Don't think Of II. Mrs. Miner" said
Miss Clancy, airily rising. You can
nave the steps and welcome. We are
Just going for walk anyhow. Come
on. jimmy"
Wouldn't that frost you" exclaimed
young Borgus after they had proceed.
cd a safe distance. Just wanted TO
md out what We We're talking about.
Catch her sitting out there by her
self! Wen circle the block and see."
When they gof near enough again
to see the steps young Borgus gave a
low gurgle OF triumph. The steps
wers empty
Come on he said. Lets 70 get
some Ice cream Just as sure as we
60 back there somebody elsell come
OUT"
In a sympathetic sort OF disgust
they sought the brilliantly lighted
candy store on the corner and found
vacant table.
"Strawb'ree for me-" said Miss
Clancy. Il Just wonder, Jimmy, tina.
you haven't got tired before this and
quit me. It's fierce. going to see a
girl that hasn't parlor OF her own to
entertain company in! We've sure
been chased around enough by them
other boarders,"
well, were's away from EN- right
now" said young Borgus. Lets make
the most of H. i"
why, the idea broke In a high.
pitched voice at tho next table. III
1t isn't Miss Clancy. Oh how do /
you do, Mr. Rorgus," There WAS an
arch infection to the greeting that
was intended TO carry the idea that
the speaker appreciated the seniimen-
tai situation.
"Howdo, Miss Binks?" said Miss
Clancy stonily.
Miss l3inks was forty. dressed like
twenty and fondly thought she looked
like sixteen. She made eyes at young
Borgus, who turned purple. Then she
arose with her plate of ice cream and
futtered into the vacant chair at their
table It's so lonesome by myself" !,
she purred apologetlcally Il was SO
thirsty JUS had TO come ont after
cold, but shrink from 60
ng out In the evening unescorted. It's
more sociable this way. don't you
Think"
"Oh. my, yes" agreed Miss Clancy
with sarcasm that was totally lost.
Sorry we're Just through. We've got
In engagement TO meet some friends."
"Lct me slip back and stick some
old poison in her ice cream" growled
'oung Borgus throatily after they had
escaped shes the limit! Another
econd and she'd have asked 10 go
walking with US Let's go down TO
he little park. rs only few blocks
way"
He tucked Miss clancy's hand In the
rock OF his arm and they walked on
With regained cheerfulness 1t was
lot so bad TO be out in the dusk with
he faint echoes 81 street piano In
he air and automobiles whirr'ng by.
PRESENTLY their feet crunched the grav-
] Of the walk that ran around the III
le park and they strolled on till they
ound a bench that was unoccupied.
i lilac bush In bloom waved above
hem.
Gee" b-eathed young Borgus with
vast exhaling of breath signifying
eace o, mind at last.
He laid one hand over Miss Clancy's
nd che did not reprove him. Pres
ntly he turned his head toward her.
ut the words on his lips died in thin
ir. A ponderous footed person en-
ulfed In alcoholic aura swayed TO-
ard their bench and dropped mas.
lvely on the other end and leered at
ZEN. "Bn'fll night he asked, ap
Young Borgus and Miss Clancy did
ot speak TIL they we're block away.