The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-09-17
POOR OLD whitney
The MATcAMAKER
Hap9y Result Of the Killing Of
Cow.
By MARIAN GORDON.

tinkling bells Of homecoming cows.
Elida Bissell leaned over the gate
and watched the struggling line Of
animals crossing the dusty road from
the pasture to the open gate that led
to the barnyard. Old Whitley strolled
at the end OF the procession pausing
to nibble at the parched grass by the
roadside while her master labored
with the refractory latch Of the pas
ture gate.
Suddenly there came the blare Of
motor horn and around the curve at
the top OF the hill there darted a big
red touring car. 1t came plunging
down toward the luckless Whitley
who had paused in its path to stare
curiously at the oncoming monster.
Crash. There was a frightened
below from poor Whitley uttered with
her last breath, a scream from Elida
who had closed her eyes tightly. a
roar OF warning from Simon Bissell
at the instant of impact Then the
big car wobbled on from side to side
of the road. gained speed and disap-
peared In cloud Of dust.
The red car had left disaster in its
wake for old Whitley lay still white
bulk in the hedge.
Simon Bissell stamped across the
road pale with passion. He was an
elder In the church and did not swear
but his expression was such that Eli
da seemed to hear the profanity OF
this thoughts
"Oh. father don't" she cried. i'm,
pulsively
You you saw it?" he demanded
"Of cOurse--it is dreadful. Poor
old Whitley. DO you suppose she is
dead?"
"llumph.' Simon went up to the
PROSTATE animal and examined her.
Whitley was dead
Hot tears sprang 10 Sim0n's eyes.
Whitley had been til" first Cow he had
ever owned. When he had married
Elidas mother. she had brought the
beautiful white COW as part of her
dowry. Elida might cry openly over
tho loss of the pet COW and he knew
his wife would mourn its loss when
she came back from her vsi, TO a dis
tant city, but II WAS the part of 81
mon isscll "a hrry the victim of tn.
rod M "A y.,b ~ al,
he could
What coward thai man must
have been" exclaimed lIlida later as
they ate supper together
Simon nodded He'll stop aud set
tic with me the next time he comes
this way" he said significantly.
What do you mean, father? Sup
pose he Just tears past as he did
today"
I'll make him stop" declared 81
mon modify and later, when Elida
saw him cleaning his shot gun and
loading II she understood.
Please don't do anything like that
father" she pleaded tearfully. "Oi
course we loved old Whitley but YOU
cant take mans life in return for
that OF COW no matter how val
liable"
i didn't say | would take any
body's life. Ida" he said stcrnly
but | will make him stop and settle
With me the hound"
But you might kill him by mistake
If you shot at the car
No danger" assured Simon grimly
and thereupon he replaced the loaded
weapon on the wall and went out ia
the barn.
Elida's pretty face was troubled az
she finished washing the dishes and
walked slowly out 10 the scene of the
late tragedy
Whitley still lay there in the hedge
and In locust tree above her sill
form of robin was singing its evening
hymn.
ITS poor whiteys requiem.
thought Elida as she walked away
Her foot struck something hard and
nat and she stopped and picked from
the dust the number plate from an
automobile. The number was 444
Now. father can identity him With
ont trouble or violence" murmnroc
Elida Fastening Toward the house
but She paused and drew back as
there came the warning sound Of =
motor horn from the top Of the hil
and once more the red car swen,
down. this time at a more sober pace
The solitary occupant made no motion
TO stop the car and as he neared Elida
she stilled her natural shvness and
waved her hand al him
oh. please stop" she cried ea -erlv
To her surprise the red car cam.
TO a sfandsrill within few feet q,
Whitey's recumbent form and Yer,
good looking young man removed hi.
cap and smiled at her.
is something the matter" 10 in
quired
Elida flushed Indignantly. "Perhap.
you kill so many cows that one ami
NAL more or less does not count" sh.
flashed.
!. Il don't understand" he returned
with a puzzled look. Il will confes.
TO having slaughtered several chicken.
in my mad career but my consesenc.
i