The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-12-04
PECULIAR CONDUCT OF
P0LlY'S QUEER VISITOR
BY CLAUOiNE SISSON.

llicious minutes.
The screeching of the pump chain
at the back door brought her trem-
bling to the floor and she tiptoed to
the window and looked out. her eyes
heavy with WEAKNESS.
Before the pump stood tall young
man clad in spotiess white yachting
clothes. His fair hair was guiltless OF
covering. He was drinking water from
a bright tin dipper.
Polly watched him with hated
breath-as one watches an apparition,
expecting il 10 vanish in thin air. But
he did not vanish
Polly raised me window few eau
,ious inches and spoke grufl!y.
10 you want anything?" she In
CURED inhospitablv.
The stranger turned pair OF very
blue eyes toward her 1t was evident
that he could not see her, but he
stared at the shutter.
Yes" he replied deliberately. you
may bring me half cup OF tea, half
a cup of coffee and few waffles."
rs that allo" murmured Polly meek
ly.
And make haste. please" he added,
waving a sun-burned hand toward her.
Polly locked the window and hasten
ed to the kitchen which was dark
and deserted as any kitchen would
be at 1870 or a June morning with
mistress and maids away from home.
Polly made hot fire of pine kind
lings, set on the waffle iron to heat.
filled the tea kettle. and ran upstairs
to dress. Her only thought was to
feed and get rid Of the queerly be-
haved stranger on the front porch.
Presently she CROPPED her way
through the smoke filled kitchen with
tray containing crisp waffies and
butter, a cup of tea and a cup OF COT
fee with the necessary sugar ana
cream. Cautiously she opened the
back door and placed the tray on the
bench outside Then she re-locked
the door and FASTENED to the front
window
your breakfast is ready on the
back porch" announced Polly through
crack of the window.
Thank you" he said alertly. and
hurried down the steps.
He stopped short at sight OF the
breakfast tray and shook his head.
Then he graspcd the coffee cup and
poured half its contents upon the
ground lie repeated the operation
with the tea cup. Then he sat down
on the steps and proceeded to con-
sumo the wafIles, drinking first q
swallow of tea and then a swallow OF
coffee. Suddenly he leaped to his
feet, swept his cap off and addressed
the kitchen door:
/ Farewell, fair wafIler!" he ejaculat'
ed. and stalked away.
Polly Witham watched until his tall
form had disappeared down wooded
road that led to the village Then she
sat down on the floor and alternately
laughed and cried.
Later in the morning she drove her
little car down TO the postOfiice. As
she passed the livery stable she no
ticpd that the newly washed carriagc
were ranged along tho curbstone.
On the from seat Of a hOrsule.
surrey sat her visitor Of the mcl
ing. goso in his lapol. a larr"'
Nas ctlccDlg spread over his kn
and he Nas sittiar varv straight z
starsg richt o,,r The heads Of
ind;man; lyargMtl ard the wis
constable
The constable rshbo1 his ear WE
polished stick Of authority Cor
down outer there, young teller" b.
rasred
The stranger smiled patronizin@''
My good man, be good enough So
bring me hall cup of tea and hall =
cup of coffee" he said.
AS tho words died on his lips, tn
strangers face grew pale and gaun'
His head dropped and he crumpla "a
down on the seat
"Ah!" cried impulsive Polly, as the
little crowd of onlookers held bach
, from assisting the stricken man
Cant you see that he is i'll? He'll
. him into my car, constable-he's a
friend of ours" she lied
In few moments Polly was racing
toward home with the constable SUP
porting the unconscious man in the
seat beside her.
Late that afternoon little party oi
} yachtsmen called at the Witham
home and inquired for Polly's invalid
: who had regained consciousness only
to sink into deep slumber. They eX
planned to Polly that the stranger was
} Paul Amory. owner of the yacht Sea
drift. anchored in the bay below. Mr.
Amory had been suffering from sun.
stroke and had eluded his watchers
and left the vessel in the night.
Two weeks later. long after Mr.. and
i, Mrs. Witham had returned home
Paul Amory, quite recovered from his
illness, took his departure.
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