The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-15

saw she was out OF her head-but
say, is 1t true that she never had 9
doll?"
Not since she can remember" sale
Fleurettes mother.
Rodman looked around the plain
room. Il see." he said briefly. Look
here, may l come again and find Out
how she is?"
Mrs. Dubois knew that she could
trust those frank, blue eyes. "Yes,'
she said, and thank you very much
for bringing my little girl back to
me-"
He came in an hour later with
some fruit. Il thought If she was
feverish the oranges might taste
good to her." he said. Let me help
you." he went on eagerly. Here
am in this old town. my boat has to
go to the drydock for repairs and
my time hangs on my hands"
In her extremity Mrs. Dubois
turned to him gratefully. I'VE have
no friends and l can't leave Fleurette
for a moment" she said. II must
have q doctor and medicine at once"
He was up and away In a moment,
coming back with kindly, COM
petent physician, and running out
again to fill prescriptions. to get q
chicken for broth and milk and eggs.
Look here" he said to Mrs. Du.
Bots. you let me do the cooking.
I've done 1t lots of times on my boat
and you let me watch when you get
worn out"
In the days that followed Mrs. Du-
Bois often asked anxiously: isn't
your boat ready to sail?" and Jack
Rodman always answered with his
big laugh, There's lot more to
do on her."
1t was not until Feurette began
to come back to life that he spoke
Of his return voyage "In another
week must be getting home" he
said.
How can we ever repay your"
Mrs Dubois said.
Forget it," said Jack slangily,
but his eyes were wet. you must
that you are my adopted
that / haven't one Of
my own
IF you were half as good to her
rs you have been to us. she must
have been proud Of you," said the
little lady.
Forget it," repeated Jack with
some embarrassment, "and--or. look
here, there's just one thing want
10 get Fleurette before l go"
But he wouldn't tell what It was
until he came back with a long box,
aud unfolded from many wrappings
II tissue paper a bisque DOLL
Fleurette held out weak hands for
her.
"Oh!" she gasped, "oh!"
Il thought you'd like her. kiddie,"
laid Jack. somewhat awkwardly.
It was happy little Fleurette who
ay back on her pillows. You
wouldn't think l was really almost
Nineteen" she asked. would you? !
{ seems such q baby thing to want a |
loll. but then you see when you've
llways wanted q thing"
"You ought to have It? or course |
'ou should, kiddie. And now there's
something else l want you to have"
"What?" asked Fleurette, and Mrs. |
dubois looked at him curiously.
"A sea voyage" said Jack Rodman,
Unexpectedly. i've asked the doctor,
nd he says 1t would be the best
hing that could happen to F7eu-
cite. The fishing's over and I've q
ood cook. and couple Of other men
n my boat. and while things are a
ut rough, we should certainly try to
make you comfortable"
A week later Neurette lay on the
eek Of the White Gull and watched
he real gulls overhead. Beside her
ay the bisque doll, and Mrs. Dubois
ewed happily in the stern.
Jack Rodman. seated at F1eurette's
aet. watched her with adoring eyes.
IF hadn't stopped to look at those
isque babies l shouldn't have met
ou." he said.
Fleurette laughed. "You must
ave thought me a perfect child"
Il thought you perfect" Jack
OF up suddenly and went over to
lrs. Dubois. "I've got to say t."
9 told that lady, and his voice
dated back to Fleurette.
What" asked Mrs. Dubois
Milling.
I've got to tell her love her"
aid Jack explosively. "but I sun. ,
ose I'd better tell you first that III
ant you for a real mother, not for
4 adopted one"
Dear boy" said Mrs. Dubois. and
, kissed her.
Then he went back to FleurettA