The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-05

fairly well pared from tne dCC'ue"s
ouite enough to demand sympathy.
81 don't think he would want to 60
to the hotel, Mr.. Dixon" said Evalora.
flushing slightly, but speaking as oio
Steve's daughter should Hes an ola
friend of ours, and neighbours boy. !
wish you would phase take him home
for me. and some one look after the
oxen. Then you can settle with MIN
yourself for the wagon and slabs.
well, if you say SO. Miss kinne-
cott-"
Il do say so. I'm going with you to
look after him"
1t was a strange drive over the long
road. Tom Dixon at the wheel, ana
Evalora looking after the unconscious
youngster. Once she directed him to
turn and make for a doctors house
down the road. They took him along
with them up to divers farm.
Anything more can do" Tom
asked. after he had waited for the doc
tors verdict, and left check that Gov
cred the damage. Can | drive you
back, Miss Evalora?"
Evalora stood at the kitchen door
Beside her the double hollyhocks grew
as tall as herself. il seemed as If they
turned their ruby hearts to her In wei
come. Her hair was rumpled ana
wavy, her cheeks flushed. her sleeves
rolled high to the elbow.
II don't think I'd better go back,
thanks" she said. happily. III you
take the doctor with you, and stop at
! the sawmill and tell father what's hap
pened. he'll come up and help. too"
II don't think it's necessary, all this
fuss. He's all right now" said Tom.
sulkily.
II know Evalora returned, shyly.
but you see, he's our own folks, and
we like to look after him."
She waited until the buzz and hum
Of the motor had died away far down
the hill road before she went back to
the couch where they had put Oliver
He was bandaged until he looked like
a turbanned Hindoo. but he smiled up
at her.
Il heard what you told him, Eva
lora."
well, that's just what father'd say,
isn't it," She pulled a blue shade
down to keep IF the late afternoon
sunlight
"Sit down here said Oliver. Il
want to tell you why went up there
today on the long road"
Evalora said nothing. She took the
low rocker beside him and fingered the
pieced courthouse steps quilt on the
bed. There were some pieces Of her
dresses there when she had waited for
Oliver down at the sawmill on the way
to school. He had always carried her
little tin lunch pail those days. Some
times they had stopped at the bars
lower down, and "peeked" inside to
see what surprise her mother had
slipped in. berry turnover or dough.
nut with jelly inside. She shared her
treasures with him then.
Then had come her schooling, first
at the high school in nearby town.
and later up at Normal. She had
slipped out Of his reach for a little
while. 1t had been this summer at the
big hotel that had taught her where
life ran in sweetest places, and she
had tired of all the shams and petty
battles Of that daily round Life was
what one made it. and the makings lay
in ones. own heart, as Oliver would
have put it. She could have her books
and music up at the hill farm. with
peace and plenty and-him.
II know why you came" she whis-
pered, lust to get me-"
would you have come along II
hadn't got all smashed up?" There
was a whimsical touch Of longing in
his tone. Would you, grip" He
reached out one arm towards her. and
drew her to him. "It's a rough road
to travel, the long one. but I'm just
starved for you Evalora. know l
amt the sort Of fellow you ought to
marry, but"
Her hand was pressed firmly over
his lips.
II don't like the other kind" she
said, softly.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)