The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-30

some of YOU" shouted the boy.
"'Twould make Uncle Jerry sicker
than ever if we got hung up"
Casting aside whatever portion OF
dignity may have remained. the Ken.
ton boys jumped out and sought to
relieve the overworked horses.
With an easier load and additional
power behind him, the boy again took
up the rens. He glanced confidently
up the hill as he started the horses.
For ully fifteen minutes he struggled
TO fill Uncle Jerry's place; then came
the surrender,
Its no use he groaned. We're
stuck
"2hii is a pretty note" exclaimed
Mar aall What are we going to do?"
Tie Kentons were slow to adjust
themselves to the situation. They
had almost forgotten that at best
country roads are very uncertain.
Won wait here" volunteered Dan.
iel and I'll go to the village for a
team.
No" cried Alice, lets all walk. II
isn't far up over the hill. Our bag
gage will cOme-sometime" And she
led the way out across the freshly
cut bayfield,
There was fence to be scaled, and
then they were In the midst of in
Vulnerable woodland voices and the
richly.bended fragrance of the forest
Clambering up the steep. uneven road
way. they came to the sugarhouse In
the clearing. Yet another climb, and
the end was in sight
There she is-just the same as
ever. bless herr" shouted Marshall
noddng his head in silent approval.
"Not much change, is there!
breathed Ellen.
Father must be setting the pace,
observed James. Our house is the
| only one that's decorated"
"lll race you down the HILL Alice.
challenged Daniel
With shout OF acceptance she
darted away, and the others followed
as best they could. They were al
troubled with a sh0rtness of breath
that was another thing which the
, years had brought. On arriving a
the orchard not one of them coult
speak intolicibly
Let me 70 and find them" pantet
Ellen
She stole around the corner of tn,
house, only to reappear again straight
away
They're on the front porch waitn!
| for the stage" she whispered. Com,
on. Wen 90 in through the house
all together"
Quietly, lhoy picked their way abou
the familiar rooms-but not quietl.
| enough. Mrs. Kenton heard the mui
fed click Of latch. and turned t
look Five smiling faces were peer
ing at her from the doorway.
i w UN SuC HIuillUICu.
Then the storm of their greeting
burst forth.
Where did you come FROM" quef
toned Mr.. Kenton. wonderingly. a
soon as he could make himself heard
up through the woods-stage I
stranded over at Harrington Hill.
babbled Alice "How's the celebrs
tom"
| There, father you see," moane
Mrs. Kenton. Il told you how
would be. Here they've all come. an
we've got TO tell them. Oh, why ID
We make up that story about the cell
bration?"
"You see. your mother has been tr!
ing to get some Of you home thi
good while" interceded Mr.. Kentol
and We finally took rather question
able way to bring it about. Yet ther
was no lie in it. We said in the lie
ter that there was going to be bi
celebration il you decided to com
home-it wasn't necessary to add tht
there wouldn't be any II you didn
come"
You poor. dear. old mother, you!
exclaimed Ellen. Il didn't care "a
about the celebration"
Nor T." shouted the others In I'm
son.
Somehow. they got the old peopl
together and formed ring abot
them. Nor did they separate unit
everyone in the ring had thrown o,
a reassuring word.
You won't have to 60 to all tn,
trouble next time" asserted James.
You'll have visit from one OF Y
every year after this" stated Ellen.
: TITS all arranged" declared DAME
I'VE talked It over on the way"
, THAT is what should have bee
! done before" interposed Alice.
And now" cried Marshall. ~
: are all going TO have just the bigger
. | ltd oe a celebration"