The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-19

ness manager. sporting editor and
society reporter for the only paper in
the county. that his Aunt Sallie. who
had raised him. had said that very
night that any girl would he proud
To marry him. and that II must be
no" or never. And all the time he
sat glumly in straight backed chair.
Facing Genevieve. who chatted gayly
They. too, heard the unusual noise
In the hall. and the girl was fright
ened Before Jack Wilton could re
assure her the curtains parted and
the rat and the cat darted into the
room. The young man sprang up
with open arms End Genevieve. utter
ing one unearthly shrek. rushed into
MS close embrace Her hair was
touslei. her white irock crushed and
Jack Wilton, in a hot rush of words.
told her everything that he had meant
to tell her and a great deal more
besides.
lie might have talked all night. had
not voice OF thunder interrupted
him
Sir. what does this mean?"
In the door stood MIR. Grantwood.
glaring Ominously, with Mrs. Grant
wood in curl papers and blanket.
trying very hard to see and not be
seen and behind them Tommy Grant
wood, grinning broadly. John vii
ton had seen Mr.. Brentwood In tow
ering RACES. but never so angry rs
this, he had seen Mrs. Grantwood
relaxing in a rocking chair, but
never SO limp as now. Still he did
not wa,er.
'Gcnevieve. come to your mother.
commanded Mrs. brentwood.
Geneveve did not stir: she was ex-
pericncing the first great thrill OF her
ladylike life. and she chung to her
lover.
sir" cried Mr.. Brentwood, swell
Ing with rage. but his wrathiul tor
rent of words was cut short by Thorn
as Vaudeville brentwood. who shout
cd
Say, pa. look at that rat.
For Jack Wilton's eat had at last
corncred her prey and was bringing
II to her master for the customary
praise. Mr. Grantwood, ut his small
sons suggestion looked.
Good gracious. Lily" lie exclaimed.
what a rat" And forgetting his
daughter he fell ON his knees by the
cat
MIR. brentwood" begged Jack VII
ton. pressing his girl To his heart.
II love your daughter"
Mr.. Grantwood was pressing the
cat to his heart Jack" he replied
with conviction, shes the best ratter
In the state"
Il know | am not worthy" sighed
the young man. but III try to make
her happy"
she's hungry" suggested Mr..
Brentwood. and she's much too me
to eat rats. Get her chicken bone.
Tommy"
Give her to me-" urged Jack VIII
ton. and the absent-mindcd Mr..
Brentwood realized at last that he
was being asked for his daughters
hand. lie picked up the cat and his
ewes began to twinkle. "All right.
Jack" he answered. I'm swap with
you. II you must have Gcnevicvc. !
must have the cat. Now that's bar
gain"
A little later In the evening JACK
Wilton was Fastening home to tell
his Aunt Sallic the glad news. The
blood was still pounding unrcason-
ably through his veins, and he
seemed to be walking on air. when
suddenly the words OF his poem came
back to him. imbucd with new and
wonderful meaning. lie thought OF
the time he had spent on that poem,
his nights of agony, his early morn
ing fittings i'm pursuit of inspiration
from the rising sun And It's queer,
ne mnscd for he was still OF the
opinion that n newspaper man Is
necessarily literary" that it wasn't
the pocm that won her after all. but
nv did mouSer, Nelly"