The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-02-13

proved that he was not asleep Miss
Grace must step inside, however, to
see Il that bird had any documents
concealed under his wings. She must
overlook nothing that might furnish a
clew
She did Just the same. She over
looked the trap that yawned for her
right loot. and with a snap the Jaws
came together There was a wild yen
from the captive and a chuckle from
the gander Steel traps are made to
take hold and pinch and hang on and
hurt. even when they have no teeth.
Could the girl work the springs and
loosen her benumbed foot? No street
she tried it and failed. She must yell
and get help or wait the return Of
young Burton And If she got help
what would people say! And if the
young man returned and found her
there what would he say! There was
nothing funny in the situation There
was nothing interesting in the old
gander
A step approachesl A cough coughs!
Boy know you are In there and
caught in the trap!" said the voice Of
Mr. Burton, and ] want to talk to
you a minute before I release you. I
know / have upset the town by my
coming here and living as ! have, but
it's about over ! was brought UP by a
rich aunt She loved me, but didn't
think amounted to much, and made
a win with the following provisions:
"As | had never helped her about
the house, even to bringing in stick
Of stoye-wood. / must keep house alone
by myself for year and see what .
mean job it was.
"As she didn't think knew enough
to select wife yet must keep clear
Of the girls for twelve months.
GAS | was always a great hand to
I CAB and blab, / must tell no one here
my business.
AS the old gander in there had once
Tapped his wings and sQuawked and
scared a robber away, must take
care OF him till he was claimed by
death.
IF l went through all this for q
year was to have the hundred thous-
and she left If / failed it was to 80
to the heather Of Africa didn't pro-
pose to let the heather cross one over
on me, and 80 am here. | went to
the postofice short time ago and re-
ceived letter from the executors to
the effect that ! had done so well that
the remainder Of the year was to be
cancelled. ( am therefore free to do
as will, even to finding some nice
girl and asking her to share my for
tune with me.
Il do not think you came here to
steal my gander. / think it was boy
lsh curiosity that drew you. You see,
i have been a boy myself and know all
about it. am not at all displeased
with you and win set you at liberty 81
once"
Thereupon Mr.. Burton entered the
goose-house and knelt down, and with
strong hands pressed the spring bacl
and lifted out a very shapely foot and
said:
! Nov you can run along home
hubby. If / were you I'd tell mother
that | fell down stairs. Goodbye
sonny!"
. The bushes! The tears! The shame
Of 1t as Miss Grace limped home! sh'
Just had to tell her mother, and he
!. mother said she deserved to have he
ears boxed, old as she was.
why, what can he think Of you'll
she wound up with.
That questions was answered tire
months later when the father cam
, home one evening from his oface T
say:
Grace, which shall it be3v
what, pspa?"
Young Burton was In TO see m
this afternoon"
(Blushes)
). "Will you marry him or the gaI
der?"
IT-ITl-"
2 She didn't take the gander