The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-14
A Necessary
Love Affair

father because that self.willed Of
gentleman insisted that position 1
Reilly's Unrivaled Soap factory wa
more to be desired than a literar
career. and how young Reilly sudden
ly found himself without poke
money and glad to accept the super
intendentship Of country school. Il
q long and painful story. But certain
1t is that he did not enter into hi
new work in the best Of humors. and
as Maisie Ashford had red hair and q
rather positive way Of saying things
he relieved the monotony Of his new
life by teasing her.
Maisie retailiated with spirit worthy
of her auburn locks; she rebelled
against the rules he made. and stirred
up the other teachers to do likewise:
she studied the lives Of the presidents
and demanded holiday on every pres.
idential birthday, and she wrote her
reports In Latin. which Henry when at
college had considered a dead Ian.
guage for dead people" and carefully
neglected.
Before many weeks there was open
war between them, but the balance Of
power was In Harry's favor He soon
found that nothing annoyed Maisie
more than his constant supervision Of
her work. 80 his polite knock sounded
at her door all through the day, and
he would sit In incorporating 81.
lence while she heard her classes.
She therefore set to work with char.
acteristic daring to stop his visits to
her room.
In furtherance Of her plan she ap.
peared at his desk one afternoon,
looking very innocent and guileless.
"Mr. Reilly" she ventured timidly.
when I was out with the botany
class yesterday I thought that saw
= swamp lily. but It was too far out
In the swamp for me to get. Still
with help I might secure It for our
collection. They're very rare. you
know"
When school was dismissed that |
afternoon the amazed teachers saw |
the new superintendent, armed with
spade and bucket. accompanying
Maizie Ashford down the road toward
The woods.
They had reached the densest part
II the swamp when Maizie stopped
Ind pointed to . small island Of tuft
hat rose from . sea Of bog. There
/ TO-" she announced, but you'll
never Do able to get H."
Harry selected plank from q near
BY fence. laid It from ono patch Of
auivering sedge to another. and crept
cautiously out upon II. After q close
Inspection Of the tiny green plant that
1aisie had pointed out no raised his
head In disgust. This isn't . swamp
lily-lt's . common iris. You've
plenty Of these already" Then hs
turned and saw that Maisie had
quietly removed the plank.
He stared At her In blank amsse.
nent and she returned the look de.
iantly. Before I put It back" she
trembling at her own
emerity. II want you to do me q
avor."
"A favor" cried the indignant
Harry, squirming uncomfortably on
'is tiny island. We'll talk about
avors when you put back that plank"
But" she answered, sweetly, II
'han't put II back until you do me the
avor. All I want is for you to write
ne a letter asking me to marry you"
ITO marry you? Are you sure
hats ALL" gasped Harry.
He looked about him desperately.
mt the bog was over his depth on all
'ides. and his only chance Of escape
vas the plank which a certain deter.
mined little red-headed woman was
lolding. He saw that he was framed
10 he took on his hat and made her
10 graceful bow az the limited space
permitted. MADAM" he said, IT am
It your service" Then drawing out
10 fountain pen. please what shall I
NY In this tender epistle! You can't
Expect me to feel inspired" l.
Maisie ignored that unkind thrust
md began to dictate. my darling
daisie for how can I call you Miss
ashford when every heart heat. grow.
NC tumultuous at the sound OF your
footsteps. proclaims you my own III.
10 Maisie. know that you scorn me
'ut It 10 the strong man's pride to tell
10 love. So now I repeat that I love
'ou. love you. love you"
To her surprise. Harry Reilly
flushed. the mar dull-red blush.
Which may mean e her AMER or en-.
arrassment Il IT know" he
that I was annoying you
0 BY coming"
In silence she replaced the plspk
nd In silence they trudsed back 10
he village.
The next day Maisis vas pressine |
lowers after school when TIA nev
superintendent entered. IL
Miss Ashford" he said, I've come
. say good-by.'
But Why" asked Maisie. Ia
You sse." he explained, Z lost M
enper yesterday. and when I len
on I went down n tAn seAr~s 80 | Z
ooms and told Mr. Henryson, the
resident. that II you didnt reeisn I
'o0N. Nov. az eomr.e 49,, ...~