The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-17
Betty nes a
Real Love Test

green shoots. Before us was bit OF
pasture. green velvet With new grass;
the meadow larks winged heavily
above il. or sat on the rails OF the
fence. and whistled. Around us the
early flies hummcd socially in the
spring sun: and AT little distance. in
coppice. n brown thrasher rerched
on the high bough of "A small OAK and
dubbed. and spultered. and cheered.
I'm sure you don't" repeated Betty.
Spring, sweet spring. is the
years pleasant king" quoted cheer
fully, and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such season is a mystery
to me. my dear"
That's just it," said Betty. The
season of spring. sweet spring. de-
mands a great deal"
moved my hand along the rail un.
til my fingers touched the soft white
of Betty's wrist just above her glove.
i've tried to give great DEAL said
|, looking at her steadily.
A little smile danced suddenly
across Betty's face. and then was off
again; but for just that shade Of a
second her eyes had touched mine.
Then she shook her head solemnly.
but you don't write verses TO me"
she declared, as she produced bit Of
paper from the pocket of her jacket.
Il should hope not" said |.
Il think it's very fine compliment
for a man to pay woman" said Bet.
ty loftily. CHANGING at the paper
whats that" demanded
That" said she, carefully keeping
the writing out of range of my eyes.
lis a-poem."
Good heavens" ejaculated and I
had some difficulty in maintaining my
position on the fence. do You mean
to say that some other man has been
writing verses to YOU"
81, came by post last night" said
Betty calmly.
DO YOU know who sent it?"
but of course, since it was signed"
"Who?"
IF you're SO savage about 1t
sha'n't tell you" Betty is not above
Lets see it" said |.
"rll read it to YOU" she answered.
evading my fingers.
| ] dare not ask a kiss.
| / dare not beg a smile.
| Lest. having that or this
! ! might grow proud the while:
No, no. the utmost share
OF my desire shall be
Only to kiss the air
That lately kissed thee.
"Oh, ho." said l. cOncealing a smile.
"ls the wind in that quarter"
Whats the maiter?" asked Betty.
Don't you like it,"
His own composition, suppose"
advanced warily
Il should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write it for him." she
flashed
"Call for the robin redDreast and
the wren," said l. THE man needs to
be buried
You don't like it,
"Who sent it?" demanded.
Her answer was discreet
BETTY smiled tantalizingly ITS not
necessary to tell all one knows" said
she.
IAN right"
"Why do you want to know ques'
toned the lady
Il thought it would be interesting to
know who was palming of another
mans verses as his own"
what do you mean?"
"Of course you know it isn't orig.
inal; it was really copied from an old
poet"
Really" said Betty, and the little
smile danced back into her eyes.
Read your Herrick." said !.
why didn't you say so at first?"
It's not necessary to tell all one
knows"
but you said it was tommy-rot."
Just to find what you'd say in re-
turn" And again | offered my hand.
She tilted her chin like the naughty
young lady in the play.
went just step nearer, and looked
IN into her eyes There's one
haven't quoted" said quietly, but II
tells my heart better than all the 9th.
ers. 1t goes:
Simply take what this rims is worth.
knowing | love you as sun the sod
On the ripening side Of the great round
earth
i That turns In the smile Of God.
Betty rested her hand very lightly
on my shoulder as l leaned against
the fence Il was just fooling." said
she softly.
"Fooling?"
1T wasn't sent to me-"
But you could use 1t as whip over
my head" chided.
You're not usually afraid OF
whips" she smiled.
you said you got 1t by post"
II said 1t came by post. But
not to me. That wasn't fb."
Perhaps not" said /.
BILLY Lyle sent 1t to Ethel Rog-
ers."
"Ah. ha," said /.
And she was % pleased that she
showed It to me: and I copied It"
II w~. A>.-~- - w~S0