The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-28
Betty nes a
Real Love est

/
We were sitting on the top OF Viz.
ginia rail fence which wound down
through wood and farm land. Behind
lay a cornfield, newly planted. .
stretch of warm, brown earth smooth
ed by the harrow, and prickled here
and there along the rows by clean,
green shoots. Before us was bit OF
pasture green velvet with new grass;
the meadow larks winged heavily
above it, or sat on the rails of the
fence, and whistled. Around us the
early flies hummed socially in the
spring sun; and at little distance, in
a coppice, brown thrasher perched
on the high bough of small oak, and
bubbled, and sputtered, and cheered.
I'm sure you don't" repeated Betty.
Spring. sweet spring, is the
years pleasant king" l quoted cheer.
fully. and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such a 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 OF
again: but for just that shade OF
second her eyes had touched mine
Then she shook her head sOlemnly.
But you don't write verses 10 me-"
she declared, as she produced bit of
paper from the pocket of her jacket.
II should hope not" said !.
IL think it's very fine compliment
for a man to pay woman" said Bet.
Ity 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" | calculated: and
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?'
ut came by post last night" saic
Betty calmly.
DO you know who sent it?'
But of course, since 1t was signed
"Who?"
IF you're so savage about it i
sha'n't tell you" Betty is not above
Lets see It," said |.
"I'll read it to you," she answered.
evading my fingers.
: I dare not ask kiss,
I dare not beg a smile,
Lest. having that or this.
. l 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, no." said l. concealing smile.
Us the wind In that quarter"
What's the matter?" asked Betty.
l. Don't you like it?'
"Ilis own composition, suppose" I
advanced warily.
. Il should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write 1t for him." she
flashed.
"'Call for the robin redbreast and
: the wren." said I. The man needs to
be buried"
4 "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.
All right"
why do you want to know" ques.
. toned the lady.
Il thought It would be interesting to
know who was palming on another
mans verses as his own"
what do you mean?'
"Of course you know II isn't orig
e inal: It was really copied from an old
q poet"
! Really" said Betty, and the little
!. smile danced back into her eyes.
Read your Herrick," said I.
o why didn't YOU say SO at first?"
s. IT'S not necessary to tell all one
G knows"
9 But you said it was tommy-rot."
" Just to find what you'd say In re
turn" And again offered my hand.
e. She tilted her chin like the naughty
D. young lady in the play.
a. went just a step nearer, and looked
r. up into her eyes There's one
d. haven't quoted" | said quietly, but Il
tells my heart better than all the 9th
II ers. Ii goes:
n Simply take what this rime Is worth.
: Knowing love YOU as sun the sod
on the ripcning side Of the great rounS
earth
"A That turns In the smile Of God.
: Betty rested her hand very light,
or my shoulder as | leaned aga!ns
Il the fence. Il was Just fooling." sait
she softly.
Is "Foolingoo"
y 1t wasn't sent to me-
&c But you could use it as a whip ovel
my head" l chided.
..Nou'ra M. ,,c,,fIr oe-,,s !.