The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-15
why MABEL LOST HIM
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

the country" objected his friend with
the fuzzy hat
Il was" admitted the young man
with the receding chin. And l put
1t to you II that wasn't encourage
ment. When girls family lets her
invite a man for a weekend doesn't
1t look as though everything was all
right? And If the girl didn't want you
couldn't she sidestep the invitation?
Mabel wrote me nice letter when
she asked me and considered the
question before accepting. A man
doesn't want to commit himself of.
hand. you know Girls are so fright
fully keen these days. and while
Mabel never seemed so you never can
tell. Still. had always liked Mabel
pretty we'll. and You know where her
dad stands-he's got SO much money
that they use It for kindling wood.
So | made up my mind that | might
do lots worse Pcsides. | hated to dis.
appoint Mabel. resolved to ask her
to marry me and get it over with"
Gee" said the man with the fuzzy
hat in admiring tones Il like to see
man with courage"
Il was a little surprised" said the
young man with the receding chin,
TO find when I got there that about
six other fellows had been invited,
and among them that Robson chap
that particularly obnoxious fellow
who never notices anybody, you know.
resolved to show him few things.
So got Mabel to myself the very
first day She had the garden hose
turned on her pet flower bed and |
rushed out to help her She In
sisted that she preferred to water the
flowers herself, but ! simply took the
hose away from her and naturally she
had to stay and watch me use It,
tried to lead up gradually to what
had In mind. but she didn't seem to
realize the situation and always ran
me off the track. Finally turned to
her In desperation and. throwing out
my hands, said"
"What?" brrathlessly inquired his
friend.
We'll. whatever said was com.
pletely lost In the subsequent excite
ment," admitted the young man with
the receding chin. when | threw
out my hands | dropped the hose
naturally and the nozzle struck on u
stone at such an angle that the full
force Of the stream hit Mabel In the
face and drenched her.
Il didn't see her again till evening
but, OF course, neither did Robson
Naturally sought her out to apollo
gle. She had Just taken chair un
der the moOnvine at one end of the
porch and said oh" in rather dis
appointed tone when she looked w
and saw me II sounded as though
she had expected some one else.
Mabel began. I cant tell 20,
how sorry ! am"
Don't try she said. But I KEEP
on for an hour Whenever any one
else walked toward the corner
hitched my chair around to proven,
the intrusion. SO we we're not dis
turbed Finally she rose and 80 die
!. | stepped closer to her and tool
her hand, but just as said Mabel
softly She let out shrek tha
brought every one running.
Ny foot My foot" she walled
You brought yorr great heavy nee
down on my foot and nearly killed
me-"
Then that Robson chap pushed II
ahead OF rae and half carried her Il
a chair. 1t was most annoying. Blu
| knew that fate could not defeat 1
persistent man.
The next day all Of us went for {
walk. but despite my efforts | coulC
not get word with Mabel. admired
her shyness. A girl can always fee
a proposal In the air, and Il Is nat
ural for her to throw obstacles In tn,
way. 1t only proves her interes
Finally I circled around and reached
a stle ahead Of the rest I planned
to be there when Mabel arrived ant
help her over before Robson coult
climb the fence and do It himself. I
worked beautifully. only a. I bobbe,
up smiling and lifting my hat raj
plump into q hornets nest in /,
sassafras bush back of me-and
don't know who helped Mabel ovel
that stile.
Every ono seemed to think II m,
fault that Mabel was stuns by severa
Of the little beasts. too.
Il made up my mind that I woult
have to write my proposal and send 4
to her. But just before left bel
for home accidently overheard
Mabel and her father talking.
Good gracious Mabel told him
Don't blame me II he has kept out o.
all your bridge games! told you he
could play bridge when you wanted
some one to fill out your table, but
didn't guarantee to chain him into 9
chair! Haven't l endured enough IL
my constant maneuvers to escape his
attempts to propose to me? rye been
nearly drowned and pois ned by