The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-11
CAUGHT HIM ON FLY
Both Understudies the Real
Thing in the Interest Of
the Drama.
BY MARTHA M'CUlLOCH.Wll.
llAMS.

| MoretOn's manners were beyond
reproach yet upon occasion fOrsook
him entirely. As upon the occasion
of Miss Ansley-he stared at her like
the veriest yokel at the time she
dawned upon his enraptured vision
1t was spectacular dawning-she
was swathed in satiny pale blue
crepe. and much bediamonded. This
1t II o'clock upon bright summer
morning. at the grassed bank OF q
narrow roadway. with no other living
creature in sight. nor any means OF
transit, was, anybody must admit
sufficiently startling A heap Of silk
limp and crumpled at her feet, pro-
claimed itself dust coat. But why
! had she shed il thus. with no other
spectators than trees, turf and flow
ers?
| AS she heard his steps. she half.
turned. with little enraptured. o.
following which came quickly: Now
that you are here, do say the right
thing"
IF ! only knew-noW can only
think of one namely: How beauti-
full you are.'" Moreton answered
smiling
The girl clapped her hands. How
could you guess" she cried. "Or
did you know: Do you say that-al-
ways"
when l have such prOv0cation-
yes. There is. you see. nothing else
to say" Moreton returned. hts smile
subdued.
The girl started family, and looked
over her shoulder, toward the grass
land beyond which a fanciful red,
tiled roof cleaned mistily through
empowering trees. Please make
haste-they will BE- here In Ave min.
utes." she entreated.
Moreton stared harder than ever.
Was she mad? There was no look OF
1t In the Almond lidded violet eyes
raised to her. nor in the sweet rosy
lineless face. You forget don't
know about them" he tempOrized.
How must | make haste?"
"Why-you know-propOsing,' the
girl said stammering the least bit.
1T 10 that way in the books--all |
ever read-and that way In the play"
%! Are you rehearsing!" Moreton
asked craftily.
The girl nodded. her face suddenly
vivid. "You-yOu must be seer"
she answered softly. You see-we
had a dispute-Beth and l--abOut a
scene-in my play have man
come up, just as you did and-and-
he proposes before he has been there
FIVE minutes
You didn't think it presumptuOus ?
Moreton interrupted.
She turned puzzled eyes upon him
explainingly eagerly. 20 no because
he was engaged to her any way
only he didn't know it was running
away to keep from marrying her In
fact"
And she caught him on the fly"
MOretOn could not fOrbear intcrject-
ing.
The girl flushed but ran on az
though he had not spoken: Beth in
sists all that Is dead wrong that he
would have run away the minute she
spoke"
Not if he had eyes and she in
any way approached YOU Mofcton
interposcd
Just what told her" the eirl
cried triumphantlv That's why !
put on these things H"th's rhine
stones are very rcallooktng She acts
you know has been on TOR a year
that's how We ar" here at the Plum
leys--he plays leads. and she sup
ports him SO he asked her to com"
and bring me. II Is such chance e.
I've always felt ! could write beau'
ful plays-if only | can fit them with
one why. It will make my fortune :"
Undoubtedly. But you ought moi
to need making IT, Your face is your
fortune" Moreton said. coming a
pace nearer.
She hushed-a lovely scarlet and
drew back. saying loftily: "Remem
ber--you are not talking to my hero
ine-now
A hail. loud and CHEEKY. broke the
tense situation The next minute
Plumley, who was tall good looking
and the soul Of good hnmor, with his
pretty wife. and a thin 1.-THE yet
angular girl. came tumbling across
the stile in the hedge, all calling TO-
gether DO Peep. o. 30 Peep
Don't lose your sheep"
AZ sight of Moreton. they fell silent,
almost gasping. Mildred Ansley
turned upon them eyes OF triumph.
saying gleefully: Il was right. lie"
rOdding 10 Moreton. did Just what
Lanark only-you came too
soon We've haven't quite got
through"
Plumley stepped forward, putting
himself betwixt Moreton and Mildred
He had appraised the other man at
glance-for the gentleman he was