The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-26

Let them alone-we ean't move N
to smother county Just to escape youI
bloodthirsty dog I know Jupiter can
whip Min."
AN right" was he instant ~
Spouse. Lets SEQ him DO It then.
but BET On Barty."
The battle was abort and sharp and
was ended in . most unexpected man
nsr. The dogs IN their twisting had
WORKED themselves 70 the very edge
Of the lake. the hank Of which rose
sharply several feet above the water.
and suddenly In . last Wild grapple
they dropped with . sounding splash
into the water below. Both doss hated
water and nothing could have
quenched their fury - did that tum-
bic into THE despised element All lust
for battle LETT them and they scfam-
blsd ashore b stand shaking them
selves IN utter discomfort
Jeane and the man laughed IN
unison. did you ever GO anything
more ridiculous?" she asked.
The dogs sneaksd toward their ~
spective owners without even exchang'
Ing . glance.
We'll. Barty was On top when they
went over" said the man teasingly.
so an sure he would have peoved
victor"
Jeans suddenly stifIensd and 70
marked frigidly: Il beg your pardon
for addressing IN entire stranger. but
Jupiter was plainly getting the best
Of It and l distinctly saw your dog
strike the water first"
Why not call It quits?" laughed the
man. II truly think they ~ . very
close match. and now I cont believe
they will ever scrap again-vent yoa
call honors sven!"
Bayty's master had such . boylsh.
unaffected way with him that Jeane
smiled in spite Of hersslf. II think II
will have to rest there. - neither Of
10 can prove this cass." che admitted.
Don't call me an entire stranger
Eugenie Eldridge surely you remem.
Dor Grace Craddock and her brother.
John? ! am John"
For . moment Jeane stared ct him
in amazement. then she began to ind
In this tall. fins looking man .
resemblance to the ffteen.year-old boy
whom she had not met for ten Year,.
why It can't be possible-but l can
see that It is." was her confused r..
ply. Where IL Grace. and why have
you come back to Laneville?"
Grace Is married and has q very
happy home of her own. and I came
back because I wanted to see you"
This plain statement caused Jeane
to observe hastily: II am glad that
Grace ID happy; and now must take
Jupiter home Mother will think we
are lost" She evidently would not
pursue the second subject. but John
Craddock intended to be heard.
When you were twelve years old
and fifteen you know I told you.
Jeane. that meant to marry you
when ! grew up and could support .
wife. Now that time has come-say
that you haven't forgotten tho old
schools days and that you will marry
me-"
Jeane took refuge In flight Come
Jupiter. We must hurry" Then po-
litely to impatient John Craddock:
I'VE shall be pleased to have such an
old friend come to see Us. Good day"
John found himself alone with Bar
ty on the lake shore. Wouldn't that
jar you" he said. You had better
believe | will call and in short Or.
der"
That same evening he knocked 1t
the Eldrdge door with Barty ct heel.
and Jeane herself admitted them with
Jupiter in close attendance. The two
bull dogs met like long lost friends.
John met Jeane's look with
smile. Don't you think It's Z good
omen! Jupiter 10 giving Barty such
q friendly welcome that surely you
cannot refuse to open your heart to
his master"
Il think you have the most self as.
surance Of any person I ever met"
Was Jeane's reply. But the omen
proved suspicious. for Jupiter and
Barty now dwell In unity under one
root tree.
Copyright. 1913. by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndicate.)