The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-18

! people have way of getting ac-
quaint.d over the garden fence. And
of course like her. because, as told
you, ,he is a nice little girl"
iut that is not the point. DO you
care enough 10 forget that she is in
no possible way suited TO you?"
"One cannot forget what one never
knew. dear child"
''But. Jimmie. you are such a schol-
ar. so learned that YOU discomfort
even me- can discover nothing in
which she is really posted"
.'lou know very little about her,
Lucille. have never known of her
reading anything | was not interested
in. al least"
And she is quiet and dependent,
and afraid of things. where YOU have
always admired fearless woman.
dare say she never rode q horse in
all her life
81 believe she is a bit nervous about
horses" he admitted with his indul-
gent smile.
"Oh. see there is not use in talk
ing. Facts. however glazing, have no
effect upon a man in love"
so that is what all this means?
You think am in love with Miss Per-
ry? thought you more discriminate
ing, dear sccond-cousn Lucille! |
merely like her very much, because.
l repeat, she is a very nice grill"
81 think you expressed il better this
morning when you called her Miss
Sunbonnet."
"Still, remember there is something
under the bonnet" advised James,
walking away with provoking good
r humor.
, Jeanette in her arbor, sat in mo.
!, tiOnless misery.
+. 1T is all true" she whispered; "he
Q admres woman who is capable and
e bright and fearless. and | am a plain,
!. stupid little thing afraid of my own
{ shadow. Lucille loves him-and he
loves her only he doesn't understand
! il vet, any more than | did until She
came and set fire to my very heart
Until long after darkness had set
tied. she sat motionlcss with hen
thoughts.
"NOw when il is too late ! have
| overcome one of my deficiencies" she
l thought bitterly as she sat fearlessl,
! in the brealhless night.
| Across the sky strcakcd jagged
CLEANS of lightning. Thunder CRASHED
| nearer and nearer. Then rain dashct
| into the frail shelter. But she smiled
cOnlemptuously, dcliantly.
| "Whatcver makes my little Mis-
Sunbonnet so palc?" inquired llarl~
next morning as he crossed into th'
ncisllboring garden.
| u am not pale" denied Jeanette
II flushing intentionally. And | wis
u you would call me by my name; tina
| other sounds too foolish, really"
| James wondered vaguely. But be
| fore he could investigate this neN
| turn of affairs. Lucille called from In
porch that she was ready for her ride
You'd better look out for Jet thi
ii morning." he cautioned as she noun
NJ ed the uneasy black horse. "She
nervous as witch"
"You must know ! am utterly III
afraid of horse" answered the iii
loud enough for Jeanette to hear. g.
few miles of this fine open road wi
quiet her, never fear.
Jeanette shivered as Jet prancc
out of the gate.
Il could never ride like that" sh
said aloud Then she saw James az
u miring glance toward the graceful iii
on the flying horse, and FASTENED I
SIS the back of her garden.
d, An hour later Jeanette was wQrl
m ing with the roses at the front gat'
- A claticr of hoofs told her of III
- riders return. But why was Lucil
cinging SO desperately to Jets necl
40 her white face half concealed by he
loosened hair and the horses flyin
r.. name?
N Jet was plunging wildly, uncol
IN trOllably The moment she compr
hended, Jeanette flashed through til
~ gate
q. Nothing must happen to Lucille
.ir she sobbed frantically. ale loves hci
,o he loves herr"
!, Wildly she waved her bonnet befor
,o the oncoming horse. AS Jet slacl
"a ened and half turned. Jcannet'
-. clutched the loosened bride. TIL
horse swung round and stopped, ev
80 IDENTIFY weary from her run. LuciI
=. slipped Imply to the grass. unhurt.
- "Jeannette, Jeanette" cried lla
:, per, rushing to her and loosening III
bride from her fingers.
At sight of her white cheeks b
: took her suddenly in his arms.
" you are sure you are not hurt
:" he cried sharply. "Oh, Jeannett
- what made you do it? You mial
~ have been killed."
Il wanted to save Lucille" she viii
= pered.
James Harper looked at her wit
eyes through which his heart spok
We Color returned to her pale cheek
and at sight Of it he stopped an
kissed her tenderlv, reverently.