The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-11-08

But mama. he's 20 much old
than l."
Yes. you are very youns-te
young to marry-n0t too young
become engaged. How old ID Henry,
Il don't know" replied the maidel
candidly. Il never thought to -
him. But hs seems-oh. even olde
than you"
The mother laughed. And thi
from . little girl who should not t.
to hatter her mama"
During the month or % that follow
ed Henry came regularly. sometime
90 often - two and three times
week. to the Farnam residence. Sine
the morning after her birthday part,
Rosie had seemed less at ease and. o
times. half frightened. when in BIZ
company. Especially was this thu
case when they were not joined b
her mother. who usually. because ol
the cold weather and the necessity Of
econOmizing In fuel. sat with the two
At such intervals when the widow Wa
absent. Henry. also. was restless and
wandering in attention.
But II could not be winter always.
Spring breezes came at last over the
Ozarks into Missouri. The sun shOne,
robins fitted between the boughs Of
naples beginning to rejuvenate with
the rise and flow Of sap through their
trunks. and out In the pasture. just
then turning family to green. young
colts frolicked and raced beside their
mothers. Life and love were unfolding
from a single bud.
Then. on . night. when Henry
came. the weather was warm. lie
called to them through an open win.
dow as he passed and. hurrying around
to a side door. he entered the dining
room. where the mother and daughter
sat Mrs. Farnam remained with the
couple only a short time. when. with.
out pretext, she withdrew to the front
porch.
She was gazing absently into the
east, where the moon was rising.
and giving only a half attentive ear
to the medley Of insect voices just
then awakening. when she was star
lied. not a half hour after she had
found her seat. by the sudden appear.
ance Of Rosie, who rushed to her side
and whispered breathlessly In her
ear.
oh. mama, mama," the girl ex.
in subdued tones, Il just know
Henry is going to propose! What
shall do?"
DO! Why. thought you wanted
him to propose"
No: | DON'T dOn't-nOt since you
Told me-" she cried, almost on the
verge of tears.
Wen. daughter. what's caused you
10 think all this? Did he say"
l. said he wanted to see you. ]
know he wants to ask II he can pro
pose"
How silly" int"rposed the mother,
Aith laugh not wholly natural.
"Oh, he said he wanted to see you
done that he must see you-that he
couldn't stand it any longer-that-"
at? Stand what, dear?"
"Oh. mama. do 20 in--dO! And tell
lin that he must not propose to mo.
my more, ana that I'm going to be an
I'D maid, and that"
Don't worry yourself so, little girl
it's nothing" cnjoined the mother
is she arose.
Rosie. left alone. for a time grew
more excited. Then. as the minutes
'asscd and her mother did not re.
urn. her agitation began to pass
way, and gradually she became calm.
suddenly she leapcd upright from her
hair, at the prompting of Q bold
bought.
Why shouldn't she hear what was
cing said between Henry and her
nOther? II concerned her.
She crept lightly into the hallway
nd through the parlor toward the
Dlding doors that separated 1t from
he dining room. The doors we're a
DOT or two apart. and over them was
ung a curtain. Screened within its
dds. she stood In an attitude Of lis.
aning.
At he first she distinguished no
ord or sound. Then, there came to
er ,ars low. suppressed sob, that
, wOman's. Could her mother be
rying? And why? Then, q voice
Ienry's.
It's you, Mrs. Farnam-Mary. it's
Oh love-it's you, you have al
avs loved. There-don't cry. DO
,ok up and tell me-"
But Rosie could restrain herself no !
niger Tearing the curtains apart, |
ne burst into the room. Between her
res and tears and half hysterical
she rushed to them, and, in
n effort to gather the two within her
rms, embraced both, exclaiming:
or course. Henry. she loves you.
cOurSp shp doea. she alwavc did |