The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-11
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MOUNTAIN MERCURY
By TEMPLE BAILEY.

gu llIIAC StCCu AZ LII oS nv hoA eOo---
just a black speck against the sap
phire sky behind him. Then, as he
came nearer, he wigwagged welcome
with his red bandanna.
America had a little shawl about
her shoulders, for, In spite of the sun
shine, the February day was cold, and
she used it for an answering signal
Then. smiling, she waited.
You're mighty anxious" said the
young man on horseback as she ran
down the road to meet him.
Its st. Valentines day." she told
him archly. land I'm lookin' for one
He handed her a little box.
We'll" he said shortly, you've got
It."
The girls eyes we're like stars as
she united the string.
If I'd a known" he went on slow
ly, as he watched her, IF I'd "a known
that New York fellow was sendin' you
somethin' nice, I'd have gone him one
better"
OH she caught her breath quick
1y, but you couldn't 60 him one bet
ter than this, jeff"
She held up for him to see spark
ling jeweled heart, swung on slen-
der chain.
There's card in the box" she
went on, and read 1t with eager eyes.
Jefferson bent down from the sad
die.
What does he say?" he demanded
masterfully.
81 amt goin' to tell you" She stood
away from the horse. 1T wasn't In
tended for any one but me-"
well, you're goin' to read it to
me- His head was up and his
bronzed young face was stern.
II amt goin' to read 1t to YOU.
How'd you like to have me read your
letters to some other fellow"
He waived the question.
I'm goin' to read what's on that
card" he reiterated
He dismounted and came toward
her
For moment she seemed to medi-
tate flight; then her blue eyes met
his brown ones in defiance.
"You can't force me to give 1t to
you"
Eyes / can" Again his face was
stern. If you don't give 1t to me I'll
take 1t from you. 'Meriky."
Something in his air Of quiet deter
mination touched the primitive In the
girl It was thus that men made them
selves master OF her kind. 1t was
thus they won the women of the
mountains
"Oh, WELL" she said sulkily-but
back in her eyes smoldered admira-
ton.
He took the card and read the
verses aloud. and his lazy drawl
seemed to add romance to the words:
This jewel, dear is but the sign
or my own heart both. sweet, are
thine.
I send them as Valentine
To one ] love-"
II guess he loves you. all right" he
said slowly.
YES" Her tone was exultant.
And he wants to marry YOU"
"Yes."
JEFF tore the card into little bits.
DON'T" she cried.
"Let the four winds take It," he
said bitterly. 81 knew there was trou-
BILE ahead wien that man came up
from New York to paint In the hills.
You hadn't ever seen such man, and
he hadn't ever seen such woman
as you-you had the beauty Of wild
bird, and he was used to seem tame
ones That's why he fell in love with
you, and that's what would make you
unhappy II you married him.
"You amt fit to be Gagged In that
little fiat of his. l went there when
l was in New York, and felt like |
was in a trap. He showed me the
electric lights that had shades like
flowers, and his pictures. and some
old faded rugs, but I kept thinkin' how
you'd die among all those tall build
ings with all that noise"
She shook her head, and the color
came and went in her cheeks.
But he'd give me pretty clothes"
she said. Don't you think I'd look
nice in a pink silk dress and a pink
hat with feather?"
You look nice in anything" he said
fiercely, ito me. You look nice In that
old gingham you've got on. with that
worsted shawl around your shoulders.
But he'd have to dress you up-and
then you wouldn't be the girl he fell
in love with In the hills-and he'd
compare you to those city women, and
after while he'd be ashamed Of
you"
"Oh, how dare you. Jeff!" Her
voice shook with Indignation.
"He would" the man went on dog
gedly. You don't talk like them. and
you don't act like them-it's kinder to
him to give him up"
But he said he'd learn me, and
give me the things to look right In"
He came and stood over her.
as love nothin' but clothes" he de-
manded. Are you willin's to sell your
chance Of happiness for a pink silk
dress?"
She drew away from him