The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-14
Romance at
Last

Nancy Baiins had lived to b.
thirty years old, and never a bit O.
romance had como into her life
When that is said. 1t Is to be under
stood that she had never had lover
1t must be further understood the,
Nancy wasn't ravishingly handsome
and she didn't have form to remind
one Of willow bending this way
and that in Q half.gale.
Living In the country - she did
and knowing many hired men - she
did. some folks thought 1t queer that
Nancy Bafhns had not entangled one
Of them. But the old maids romance
came At last. Steve Croker came to
work for Farmer West. tho next
neighbor on the north. and within .
week hs was In love.
It might be said that Steve had
sized himself up before sizing Nancy.
He was bow-legged. He was lop.
shouldered. He had but one good
eye. He was little deaf In one ear.
He had red chin.whiskers. and II he
didn't look out for It. when he talked
no found himself stammering. No
Steve Croker was no Apollo. and he
knew It. For years he had realized
that unless he found and fell In love
with q homely woman there could be
no happy hreside for him.
Il have found her at last" he said
to himself after his first peep at
Nancy. And from that hour on there
was . song in his heart
Just % soon % they were engaged,
which event took place after Steve's
sixth evening call. she began to
poster him. That is. she asked him
II he was willing to die for her.
Il dunno about that" was his
reply. you see. II should
die you'd lose me and you"
Nancy was disappointed In Steve.
He wasn't = hero. and evidently
didn't want to be.
you don't love me-" said Nancy.
Yes. do. l love you oceans and
But II there vas IN elephant after
net"
"A big one?"
big - . haystack."
"Yes. yes"
Say. Nancy. I'd walk up to him
md kick both his tusks on and then
root him into the next county,"
That satisfied the old maid for q
lay or two. and then she got to think.
ng how remote such a contingency
vas. and she found herself on the
'dge OF q crouch. She didn't sigh for |
IN imaginary hero. but one on the !
pot-an up-to-date one.
A few days later Steve came over
o help her pick cherries. He had
climbed to the top Of q tree when
Nancy called up to him:
Steve. do you love met"
"As much 40 all tho water In Lake
crie!" he answered.
Then b . hero. Let 70 and come
down."
And break my dinged neck! No
Tree! I've got to have a neck on
40 after We get married"
There was another pouting spell.
nd Nancy didn't throw kisses after
he nonhero as he climbed the fence
nd started for home. It does seem
g II male lovers ought to be more
bliging. but take them as they run
nd they are a selfish lot. Nancy re-
lized 1t and was offish for a week.
might have been for longer had
OF Steve come to say:
Il don't know anything about this
ero business you talk Of, but I'll
ell you what I'm willing to do for
our sake"
"Oh. Steve. you are nice now"
we have lost pitchfork In the
orse pond and are going to drain
10 water on tomorrow. I'll wade
trough It flrst. II you cay co."
"Will your!
Il surely will. There's two feet AZ
'ater In It."
only two feet!"
And as much - . foot Of mud. I
lay get mired and lose my life"
oh. but you won't-l know you
'ont! Steve. It isn't q bit heroic for
man to wade around In . horse
ond."
Then what In thunder am I eo,n,
D do" e
The poor girl couldn't tell him
nd her pillow vas vet with tear. I
nat night. Steve was good. bu, he
'ss 20 unromanuc and unheroic
WY couldn't he b Just . little an.
srent! ""
There was another or spell with
10 lovers. and then one day. q Steve
~ hoeins the corn he had planted !
men he arst fell In love. be cav
ancy driving into town with the ola
hite horse. She had passed by =
iarter Of . mile when hs heard IN.
blow Of Bakers old bull on N.
sAway. He raa to heed the an,m.,
and turn him back. and presently ! Z
- n the middle q the road ,,d
asine the hoe and calling out rh.n
% bull seemed to come for him s.1
Knew no more for three dav. A..