The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-21
W0O|NG
But With the Assistance Of Cap
sized Boat He Won
the Girl.
Ry LOUIS OLNEY.

BY LOUIS oLNEY.
When he called for Patricia some
thing in her face told her that her
time Of reckoning had come. vane
Harris was the sort that will be dan.
gled just about SO long. but no longer.
and she knew that even for her she
carried matters with a high hand. She
carefully began by extolling the per.
fectly worthy weather. Patricia had
instincts. ....
THE lake is lovely. isn't it," she
remarked as they strolled to the little
dock, Smooth and clear, and it's not
too warm. A canoe Is just right to-
day." She looked at him sidewise-
his dark face was a bit grim, but
he smiled.
He knew that Lawrence Patterson.
the only rival he really feared. had
Just returned from the west and was
at this moment searching for Patricia.
YES" he conceded. the canoe, the
lake. the day--and you-seemed the
right combination. That's why
wickedly cut committing to the Office
and came for you. It's luck to have
found you" She also gave a little
grin. She had come partly to suit
herself, partly because she had lately
tormented him as far as she dared.
but mostly to discipline. Ted Barnard
who was becoming too importunate
and whom she had left on tho veran-
d. unconsoled BY her younger sister.
we must be back early" she In
formed him, Il am due at Mrs. Forbes
for luncheon. There IL q new man
abe won't say who. I am supposed
70 make things interesting for the
newcomer"
vane silently helped her to her
seat and then knelt facing her, Indian
fashion. with his one paddle. He was
tall and weil.knit. bareheaded with
the wind blowing his heavy, dark
hair. He looked fondly at Patricia.
IN her cream flannels. her hair q glory
tn the morning sun.
7 guess you know how to make
things interesting for q man-when
you choose" ne answered, but with
out malice. II should know that"
What do you mean?" she queried.
Experience teaches" he said. at
length. that Miss Patricia Carey
somehow makes q man aware Of her
presence. When are you going to
marry me?" He demanded abruptly.
H. had never before asked her out
right. Now his tone didn't suit her.
Il don't fancy the threat in your
voice. I haven't said that l would
marry you at ALL" She trailed one
hand in the water, carefully looking
away from him. All at once he
stopped padding.
"The threat" he spoke drily, rs
Intentional. You. have trailed me,
more or less willing victim, for q
year now. At first I was not sure
that wanted you" She gasped at
his impudent franknoss. '"The reason
why thought l might not want you
was that you have never lived in .
real home. When I marry want .
woman who will make a real home.
! can give her everything q man can
give toward making one. mean
that your people died and left you
and, you poor little thing, you have
been passed about from aunt to aunt
and badly spoiled. Don't be angry
Just hear me out But began to sec
that your instincts are true and fine
and right. and that all you needed
was = chance. You are very domestic,
but you don't know It yet"
Thank you she interrupted, her
eyes wide with angry establishment,
and an angrier consciousness that he
was speaking the truth. He went
quietly ahead with his personal 70.
eording Of fact.
7 decided that In San Francisco an.
q had known you three months.
Tor the six months thereafter, by let.
Yer when not in person, I endeavored
to make you love me. I came to my
0wn conclusions. which were-that
you either loved me or you didn't
and that in either case you were q
perfectly skilful coquette. So the last
three months have rather rested
o. my oars to see how far you would
had on Ted Barnard. and a half
dozen others none Of whom you care
. rap fort" |
Indeed" She calculated. while he
hook the paddle again and turned tho
boat 30 that the sun would be out OF
bib eyes and full In hers, not q gaI.
lant proceeding. but useful in his
study Of her eloquent little counter.
ance. "You are quite clairvoyant."
"Onfy-observant-and reflective.
Patricia. No other man-except Law. /,
renee Patterson-has really troubled
ne for . moment. Do you care for
him. |
She looked her scorn Of the cues.
Non. "When he asks me that, I shall
10 ~ I like about answering. As for
vou-l don't think care much about
his trip with you. ! didn't come out /
% be bullied. You may take me back.
Aunt Margaret is quite right should
be more careful and not go about IN.
She will be back In 4
lew days now"