The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-09-04

his money would make up "''A'
for what he had lost in looks.
one of the colored boys came up
We'll. what is it," asked Craig.
please. Mistah Craig, | have
message. Will you please not to come
into the kitchen at all or let anyone
else in. It bothers the missus. DUG
will be here in a little while, sum- anu
doesn't want to see nobody. she says
it bothers her. sur"
Very WE'LL" laughed Craig. III
sounds familiar. | have heard COOKS
talk that way before. will remem
ber"
The boy grinned. Thank you.
sub"
The party soon arrived. All were
in excellent spirits, though hot and
dusty. Just behind their machines
came a little car which. In the con-
fusion, slipped back to the kitchen un'
noticed, and woman got out.
Craig needed to have no doubt
about his friends. The men nearly
twisted his hand off, The girls nut
tered about him saying all the nice
things they could think OF. on. II
was good to be among his own KIND
once more. Kirkland's father and
mother greeted him like a son.
The trip through the mine was ar
ran@ed for afternoon. The mornlng
was spent inspecting the little settle
men Craig's. all of il 1t was pic
turesquely situated in the quaint
jagged foothills of Stoney Ridge.
hungry as hunters they returned
for luncheon
The dining room was exquisite.
The bare board walls were covered
with boughs. Great brass bowls OF
long stemmed cut flowers stood
around the rooms The table was
beautiful in heavy satin damask.
crystal. silver and flowers.
Craig was astonished. He had not
expected this. The delicious luncheon
was revelation to his starved lips.
The toys were trained servants, in
deed serving the entire party noise
lesSly and well
l'ut the dinner several hours later
was wonderful The dining room was
again exquisite, being lighted only by
numerous, tail. uncapped candles In
crystal sticks. Everybody was merry
Craig, however. was trifle quiet
He waS thinking of Lois tonight more
than he had allowed himself to do for
years Kirkland had told him that
she was somewhere in the west try
inu to get strong Il don't think she
is very we'll off" he had said.
1t was tine for the salad. Craig
glanced at his plate and half started
from his chair The only person in
the world who could make salad
look like that was Lois Fleming. She
used to make 1t for him with her own
hands
Lois W. splendid cook. Often
after the theatcr instead of going for
supper she would whisper that she
had made him some salad and they
would have a coy hour by them
selves in the den with dainty little
supper she had arranged herself
Craig drew his breath sharply. He
must be dreaming lie stared at II
a moment then slowly lifted his fork
and cut into it and tasted. Surely
Lois had made it.
The dessert and coffee were endless
He left the dessert untasted but drank
the black coffee At last dinner was
over
On some pretense he made for the
kitchen The others strolled outside
A boy tried to stop him but he got
past In time to see someone In white
dart out of the kitchen door. He gave
chase.
He caught up to her as she reached
a clump OF greasewood Lois" be
said softly Lois" He took her
hand
She turned her head away but hel
breast was heaving and he knew she
vas crying He reached for her 9th
er hand and drew her into his arms
Lois. you are mine by right.
have tried TO forget and can't. can't
love you better than all the world
Look at me, dear one don't know
why you are here and don't care.
only know | have you and will
never. never, let you go You love
me: Tell me. dear"
l love you, Craig" said She softly
q upright. 1912. hv Associated Literary
PressD