The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-08

directions. was damned. AIotormen
banged their gongs peevishly. chauf.
feurs honked inquiringly. But Tim
looked neither to the right nor tho
left; he fastened to the old lady on
the curb.
you want to cross, ma'am?" he
asked. with his sunny smile, and Of.
fered his arm.
The old lady took it gratefully. II
suppose lame old woman has no
business on this busy street." she
said, little breathlessly.
Sure. and you have. ma'am." re-
turned Tim. stoutly. Take your time
an don't slip. IT'S bad footing"
"Thank You. young man: you're the
first person I've met since left home
that wasn't in hurry. The city's a
dreadful place."
1T is SO. ma'am," agreed Tim. so
berly.
When their slow journey was half
completed. the old lady realized that
the lane of six feet which they were
traversing was banked on every side
by impatient hundreds who waited on
her footsteps.
She halted and withdrew her hand
from the policeman's arm. the better
to raise a Gliding forefnger. "All
these people waiting just for me? You
shouldn't have done it. They're more
important than | am"
They think they are, but they're
not, ma'am," assured Big Tim. Wait.
in is good for them"
He gave the nearest mOtorman a
level glance that stopped him in mid.
bang. A grim, contemptuous stare.
sweeping over befurred chauffeur
and Significantly to his license mum.
Der. brought the fellows gauntlcted
hand quickly from the horn.
The other curb was won at last, and
the cid lady turned for final word.
"Iourc real good" she said. earnest
ly. The city cant be such dread.
full place when there are boys like
you in IT, Is your mother living"
Yes, na'am--in Ireland" returned
Biz Tin.
Il hope You write to herr"
"TWice 4 month, ma'am."
Keep on writing. Don't ever miss
MotaeJ; set store by letters" She
smiled loncsumely. "Goodhy, Mr.
Policeman"
IiS Tim. harehcaded. boy ed conr-
ticrlilic over her fingers. sic
dropped him little curiscy.
To Sheila it was like a scene from
play. The snow was clean and
fresh. Tho glittcring show Windows,
prickcd out by their myriad lights
were TIE BACKGROUND. The old lady
and Tim, unconsciously graceful and
sincere, held the center of the stage.
The hurrying crowds on the walk
filled In.
The temper OF the audience in the
street changed at the little ,abl"au.
Impatient scowls gave place to
smiles.
Big Tim dove into the tangle and
zigzagged his way to the middle Of
the Street again. His whistle sound
cd His white-glOved hand was aoft.
beckoning. The snarled strands III
traffic Strengthened out and shuitlcd
back and forth.
The mOtorman who had banged the
loudest gave Moloney friendly grin
as he rumbed past. On all sides
people nodded and smiled. There was
something hcart.warming about tho
gentle kindness of the biz police
man.
I'D like to get across, Mr.. No
loney," said tiMid voice when tiailc
had settled down aeain Tim ,urucd
like shot. II VAS Shcila, dcmurc and
friendly.
"Y-yes, ma'am." he s'amm'rod.
Almost at tie cub she lugged his
elbow suddenly to her breast. "flu
aren't brute, Timn!o," shr said,
warmly I'm mean. ungralciul girl,
SO am"
"Sheila." cried Tim. huskily. Can
| come up tonight -
She smiled dazzingly. and n blush
mounted to her rounded cheeks. "lf
you'll bring me my ring"
"Darlin'." said big Tim, feryently.