The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-13
THE TRUCK
PATCH
By JEANNE O. LOlZEAUX

Copyright 1912. by Associated Uteeas,
| Press.)
AZ the six O'Clock stream OF shol
girls came from the side entrance Of
the big store. Mamie let 1t carry bel
along. She lifted her thin hands tc
pin the big. namboyant hat to bel
tously fair hair. Her thin shoulders
stopped little. and she walked With
the WEAKNESS Of the first enervat.
inely hot days Of spring. 1t was
Saturday night. ald she vas wonder
Ing II she could afford really salts
flying supper.
4 big. Drowned. awkward young
fellow came up from behind and fell
into step with her. She started nerv'
ously. and some girls behind her gig.
Eled.
It's only me. Name. ! won't eat
you!"
Il told you not to hang about for
me-" she said.
Il don't hang about for any girl,
and you know 1t. purposely got
here just in time to catch you. When
are you going to marry me-"
Never. and you know it. I've said
It often enough" She gave back.
ward glance and saw that the other
girls had fallen behind. Williams,
the floor manager, was with Fl0ssie
Peters. Mamie despised Flossie.
rs 1t that little counter.jumper
that's worrying YOU" asked the man
beside her. III you wanted q real
man, one that had either good In.
tentiOns, strength, or a prospect Of
home to give you. Id let you CO. But
III take Williams by the back OF the
neck and drown him like kitten II
he doesn't let you alone! can't
even tell you what sort he is. You'd
be fool enough not TO believe me- u
They still kept on her way home, and
| now turned up a quieter side street
Young Graves was silent moment
Look here, Mamie. Two years
I've known you, and watched you get
thin and pale at starvation wages
and work you admit you hate. You
know | can take good care OF you
You know | think lot of you.
never wanted to marry any other
girl. would make It easy for you
I've always had an idea that you
cOuld-love me, II you would lei
yourself. Tell me why you won't
It's only fair"
She shrugged her shoulders. still
evayiyc.
We've got to hurry. I'm coins
out tonight. DO you think | wan,
to get married to a hayseed and set
tie down on n truck patch?" She
was little fierce, as she turned OF
him. I've had enough work ant
commences. want some fun. WHY
don't you dress like other fellows
You're all right but the girls make
fun OF me about you. She pause(
and he gave a hard little laugh.
|
$50 that's It! Say. have you seer
my truck patch?' You never will *
out there! DO you know I've {
house. paid for. and a pretty place
and that the garden.truck you make
fun Of has put money in the bank 70
you to have everything you need on
DO you know how independent |
makes me? I'm my own boss. no
likely to have my head cut of b.
tho first manager that doesn't lik'
the looks of me. don't have 4
dress and smoke up all my wages
And haven't the morals that ALLOW
a fellow to sport around and escap
responsibility. You'd better think
little. want Il wiic-nOt any girl
but just you, TO take care Of all he
life. and | can make good on tn
proposition. Say. do you think ca
like Williams intends to marry you
: DO YOU"
The girl turned pale
That's not-your affair"
my business 10 protect yOt
whether you choose TO marry me q
not. and I'll do IT, Are you going I
that cheap dance hall again tonigt
with Williams?"
, She shook her head
|, i've got to dance and have som
\ fun. can't sit in hot little ROOF
all evening. I'm going with-som
girls"
80 he can dance with you witho,
even the bother Of taking you there
see. And. Name. do you think
wouldn't have spruccd up IL that's a
you wanted. Did you? What tim
do you START"
{. Eight" she said. at the door I
her boarding house. He stopped
moment and looked at her Then h
said goodnight abruptly and wake
swiftly 10 the first car going dow
: town The stores were still open an
= his bank book was in his pocket. II
. would have to hurry and so withol
= supper. but he did not mind that.
At eight Robert Graves was waitir
on the little stuffy boarding hous
porch. lie was shaved and dresse
from neck to toes in new and Vel
good clothes. bit awkward. b,