The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-11-29

.ny shoe. It's like this" She thrus
out a patent-leather pump.
''l-could." he answered imperturb
ably. "bat ! prefer staying here unit
ycd re- sure" Her anxiety suddenl!
left her.
"Oh. he's gone now. He'd have Il
be 10 get that last train. Otherwise
he'd miss dinner! He'd lose his life
before he'd commit an unconventi0n
ality! He wasn't perfectly sure be
saw me. anyway. ! ran SO fast when
saw him coming. He'll think ! went
In the motor with the Thompson's.
and they'll think went with the Gid
dings! Everything will be lovely I'M
til they all turn up but the guest Of
honor! Cousin said we were mad to
motor out here when we'd have to
rush to get dressed. Now she will be
wild! There's somebody she wanted
me to meet-he was to take me out
to dinner. Poor Steve" she sighed.
and Elwood knew she meant the man
from whom she had hidden. Poor
Steve-thought he'd like II settled
before then! You sec. he doesn't
wan the money half % badly - he
Her tone was demure.
Naturally" remarked Elwood with
conventional compliment
The girl made . little saucy face
At him. mot naturally" she Knocked.
1T isn't natural for him to leave his
lazy lollins on . southern ranch and
chase after . mere girl clear to
Rhode Island when most Of the other
girls back there wouldn't need chas-
Ing"
With . quick. graceful movement
she rose. ruefully pulling together .
great tear In her skirt
Nancy" she adjured herself.
you're IN impossible person! You
.ear your clothes. and lose yourself
rom your own dinner party. and you
ut unchaperoned in the woods with
strange young man who politely
ries not to seem shocked and bored"
..lwood laughed and drew her hand
lnder his arm.
Come. I'll counsel you-snd II
'ou II lean on me we'll find your
hoe together. and II you really want
o get to that dinner--I can get Fred
iolly's motor In ten minutes and take
ou in. We might be late, but Mrs
Wharton might forgive us-if-"
Isl" she said with belated and un.
acossary hauteur. He stopped and,
Popping her arm. took some papers
rom his pocket. Finally he handed |
er a mOnogramed envelope.
on" she said. recognizing the
and. obi"
! That asks-Mr. Elwood Pierce
dinner for Miss Nancy-Some-
hing"
Nancy 'Something!'" she said In.
irnartly. IN that case. what were
ou-dOing-out In the woods"
What were you doing? running
way?" he unused.
"fou-tried to-get away! You
idnt want to meet me-and you
re punished" she chanted joyously,
tarting briskly down the path. He
DIRECTED her.
=" am-everlastingly-happy," he
aid gravely. III that happens
'hich intend to have happen" He
Id not finish. but meeting his eyes
er own glance sought the ground.
"There's-my shoe!" she called 10y.
usly. And as he put 1t on her foot
he said quietly, "Much-might de-
end on how fast you got me back to
ousin Maryland up her back
tairs. could dress in ten minutes,
a pinch. Could we make IT."
He pulled out his watch. "I-be.
eve-if you'll trust my driving-that
ven yet | can give you twenty min.
les to make yourself unnecessarily
'vely in! Just wait on that bench
nder the tree. Back In a minute!!"
e was OF for Fred Hollys car.
Haste, and need and excitement
ade the young man 80 inarticulate
lat Holly hoped heaven would for
We him for letting him have the car.
9 tore OF. driving at indecent speed.
An hour later. Just as dinner was
,nounced. Miss Nancy Mason ap-
cared.
Nancy" said that lady. where
ere You! But you can explain later!
eantime, we are waiting, and this
Elwood Pierce who. for his sins IA
take you in"
Nancy gave him a sidelong glance
great sweetness. DO you-mind?"
le asked. as II she had not seen him
fore.
mot In the least" ne said gravely.
he pleasure is-perfectly earned
~ little hypocrite." he added under !
8 breath. as they filed to their
aces at table.
Copyright. 1912. by the Mcclure New,-
paper Syndicate.)
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