The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-21
tie bow. as II 1t were she dismissing
him instead of he her.

~ SiuNs lie TeIHdlhcu NHSu
She had gone. Then he repeated the
elegant ejaculation: Whats her
namc9-and where did dad get her?
Look o9t, my boy. or you are gone
for sure" With which adjuratiOn he
called over to the further corner OF
the room for Walters to come to him.
Walters had been young a half
century ago. but was now withered
up and wrinklcd, Snug and dry-as.
dust. Walters was bald. and his lips
We're pursed. and a pen was over his
ear lie faced his employers young
son.
What's her Iame?" asked that
worthy, and at the old mans stare,
added. "the young lady in the office
here. | mean"
Miss Regina; Regina Trant." he
sumbitted solemnly your father
world never a sent the gal out to
sell her own old home, neither!
must say that fer Inn"
"Whato" submitted the young
man What do you mean?"
Her father old John Trant, built
that there place on the lake for Miss
Regina. She never speaks of 1t. He
lost everything-guess you were at
school. She was-east somewheres,
and her ma died sudden and they
gone. He was honest and paid his
creditors. She supports him now.
It'll make her feel bad to show that
silly gal around the place. If you
had Of asked me-but she will make
the sale all right-she's true blue
she amt afraid"
She's a lady-unafraid, all right"
breathed Zant, junior, his eyes and
his imagination on fire. "I'll go
right out there-and-and-I will fix
it up someway. You look after the
office, Walters. Phone father II any.
thing comes up and say I'm out on
business that would not wait"
At the nearest garage the young
man got car and went spinning
down the avenues and out the boule.
ward to the lake. through the lesser.
wandering roads to the old Trant
place As he reached the gate and
got out he met the Perkinses going
to their own car. Regina was not
with them.
Where's your-guide?" he asked
lightly. while Maidie's eyes suggested
assorted coquetrics The girl was
pettisli and enthusiastic.
She said she wanted to walk
about by herself and would go in on
the trolley. have decided that I
want the place. | must say she
seemed to know every corner of it
and made It awfully interesting.
want it."
An inspirtion came to the young
man. He was sorry for Maid1e. but
burning with zeal to see her go. lie
turned to her father.
I'm sorry," he said. "but I was
new in the office, and didn't know
that tho place is no longer for sale.
The Trants want it back-they have
tho first right to it."
"I'll give $500 more outright for
It," began Perkins, but Zant was firm.
Finally, he notified and got rid of
them on promise to show them an.
other place the next day.
He turned In at the gait of the big,
honey old place and wandered down
a garden path. The grass was tina.
gled and uncut. the roses blooming
in wild profusion. He heard a
queer little sob like a child's, and
turning corner saw Regina full
length and face down upon the grass
under tree She had not heard
him.
Don't" he said awkwardly, kneel.
ing beside her. please don't"
In an instant she was on her feet.
and he also rose. She stood facing
him. her hands hanging straight at
her side. the tears on her cheeks. She
tried to smile. but It was hard work.
II" she began quietly, II used to
live here. and-'
II was a brute" he said. II didn't
know met the Perkinses and told
them the place is not for sale have
some money from my grandmother
want to get it-for you. You must
think I am insane. but I am not |
intend to make you love me and come
here and live with mo some day. and
your father, too. I won't insult you
by asking you now. T'ut-the place
shall never be sold again. won't LET
dad do It. VIII you walk about bit
and show II to me-" He picked M
her hat aud soothed her with com.
monplace inquiries until she forgot
hcr tro',h's and was once more her.
self
I'm 50 ahamed." she nlurmured
when the SIN was low and they were
again ar tho gate. She would not 60
in the machine with him. but made
him put hcr on the trolley He left
hcr reluctantly.
You will remember-what 7 saido"
le asked imretuously. She gave 4