The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-10-15

Ia places who're tia sun struck warm
y one could lli~r,e trails of greer
and dots of red where the partridge
berries grew.
Presently Molly urned into an ole
wood road that led no one remember
ed where. II is great fun to explore
unknown roads and all the children
rhpped joyfuIly. Undoubtedly they
would come out into some snowy
field and that meant tramp through
the untracked whiteness-perhaps
startling flock OF quail-over fences
or under them.
A barbed wire lence snarled across
their way and they got over it and
Under 1t somehow, and found that
they had lost the wood road. This
was all the better
Suddenly a laurel hedge doomed be
fore them and with wild whoop the
group separated and broke through
Miss Molly smiled and trailed after
them
When she looked around for her
pupils she saw TO her dismay that
they we're romprg and racing about
the grounds Of q handsome house.
Surely she had seen that house be-
fore-from a different angle.
Suddenly she gasped for breath
Now she knew!
1t was the home OF Mr.. Jared
Smithers irsscible old bachelor and
one OF the trustees of the school.
Beyond the rolling snow covered
lawns, through the trunks OF the no
BILE trees, Molly could see the high
prim greenery Of the hedge that shut
the house from the village street.
Somehow-she had Numbered. This
escapade meant farewell to another
years teaching in the Glen Hollow
school and Molly did like her position
so much.
Desperately she darted down past
the house in mad desire to gather
her shouting flock and rush them
out Of the yard. AS she flew past
trim little summer house a long arm
shot out of the door and caught her
arm.
Molly screamed in surprise and
when she saw her captor she became
quite limp in his strong grasp.
1t was Mr. Smithers, peering near
at her He wore house
coat and thin slippers and his thick
brown hair was tossed wildly about
his head.
Little girl" he roared Grossly,
what are you doing in my yard
en-"
II don't know" stammered Molly
feebly sac squirmed under his
clutch You are hunting my arm.
sir" she added
81 beg your pardon he said
gruffly He released her at once but |
still he glared down at her dropping
little figure What are you doing
here-and those others? Are they
your brothers and sisters"
Molly stared aghast at the fourteen
and then smile crinklcd her lips
md the corners OF her brown eyes
NO, sir" she said demurely, they
ire my children
What? Tut-tut- what do you
mean All see. You are playing
oke upon me we'll, clear out, all of
'ou, right now"
Molly hesitatrd Now was her
nance to vanish with her innocent
,upils if Mr. Smithers had not recoe.
tied in her the teacher of the fourth
,rade whom he had barely noticed,
Why they would all escape Judgment
nd punishment for trespassing But
tolty was feminine somehow
he did not relish being treated so
avaIerly by any man old or young.
he riskcd dismissal when she lifted
er brown ryoe so innocently to his
nd said rrprOachfuily:
Il am afraid that you do not recog-
Ize me- Mr.. Smthers"
Why why he bent down test
y and looked at her through his
lasses. What little girl was this
lat spoke in such grown.up way?
Who are YOU" :
Il am Miss teacher OF the
urth grade admitted Molly with q !
mixing heart.
Mr. Smithers stared at her That
he stared until he happened to see
e crinkly smile that still tremblec
! her lips
One could Iot say that he smiled in
turn. But his lips did relax their
i'm lines and queer look came into "
s blue eyes.
Miss Dale eh9 Well, what's all o
is?"
Molly told him with a sweet little {
gnity that somehow melted hard,
lotty place in his heart
we did not mean to trespass-we
III go at once, Mr. Smithers," she
included, moving away from him.
Wait" he commanded, and then,
inning in rather shame-faced way,
went on: I'm afraid | frightened :
u and er--if you're out for good :
ne. why let the youngsters slide
ere on the ice if they want to. I'll