The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-30


dull care aside and enjoy a socia
chat"
MacWilliams made other calls upor
Miss Mason to report progress and &c
receive reports Of progress. as he
said, but their reports bore mainly
upon the progress made by the Older
folks in their preparations for their
marriage.
1T begins to look as II We shall sim
ply stand aside without a protest and
let them marry each other" said Miss
Mason dOlefully one evening when the
wedding day was not far of; land all
because neither of us has sufficient
courage to tell them few truths
they are both old enough to know
she added spitefully.
"Oh. come now" said MacWilliams.
They are not committing a crime.
Don't you think. sometimes that we
are mite selfish in our attitude to-
ward them? Isn't 1t true. after all.
that aside from our prejudices. the
match Is a desirable one in every par.
ticnlar? Remember, they are not in
their dotage: they are just in the
prime of life. Neither has yet reached
fifty. They wouldn't be rash in an.
ticipating many happy years to-
gether."
John MacWilliams." exclaimed the
girl. Whatever has come over you?
You talk as If you were In favor of
It,"
II am" he admitted shamelessly. II
know 1t sounds like rank heresy: but
have thought It over. and wish to
say that am glad 1t is going to hap.
pen"
Would you mind telling me Why"
she asked coldly.
because, Janet. It will make you
my little sister. never had a sister.
and the idea of getting you for one
is mighty pleasing. Don't you want
me for brother"
The girl pondered deeply over this.
OF course, do. John" she said
finally 1--WE always wanted n broth.
er so badly. and feel that yen will
make splendid big brother. de-
clare l feel almost reconciled to IA.
TIERS marrying. now"
The wedding day Of the older folks
came. and after being married amid
much pomp and ceremony. they de-
part on their honeymoon, blissfully I'm.
aware of the fact that their thank
less offspring had schemed to pre-
vent It. That evening John called upon
Janet.
Good evening, little sister," was
his greeting.
How do you do. big brother?"
Say that again. will yOu?"
And now stand here in front Of
me and let me look at you." he com.
manded. after she had said II. ut has
taken me twenty-five years to acquire
a sister. you know, and naturally. |
want to make sure that the goods is
up to the sample"
at certainly u.s." he continued, after
an admiring inspection. "The good
Lord was generously inclined when
you were born, little girl-and now
for brotherly kiss"
There was q struggle. and she
sprang away from hiw with her
cheeks aHame.
THAT is carrying our make.believe
too far. john" she said. half In anger,
half In sorrow. III you are going to
act that way, I don't think I shall like
you in the role of brother"
And I am quite certain that I shall
not like the role" he replied.
II am glad you have come to your
senses"
II have. Surely you know. Janet,
that that was lovers kiss. little
girl"
The angry flame In her face was su-
pcrsedcd by softer glow.
Does that make it any less helm.
OuS? he asked
She was silent
Does IT." he persisted.
YES; far less" was her murmured
reply.
And shall We soon follow the excel.
lent example our elders set for u.s."
he asked, taking her in his arms.
"Yes, big brother" she almost whis-
pered Isn't it terrible that we ever
thought OF interfering with those two
old dcars?"
ION the contrary, it's a blessing that
we did; for 1t brought me-you," was
his answer.