The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-03

Sorry, father, but diet is one Of the
most essential things in the cure Of
govt and you must diet. Neale will
not get me until you are cured"
And you two are in conspiracy
to cure me this way"
Sure, want Neale and that's why
am helping"
Then take Neale and let me have
something to eat"
Contract says you must be cured,
father"
Hang! OUCH" yelled Mr.. Metcalfe,
as his foot unintentionally went to the
floor.
Don't kick. father. Eat your
breakfast. You may have chicken
broth for lunch and vegetable soup
for dinner"
The thought of some change molli-
fled her father, and he began to MUNICH
his crackers resignedly.
1t was five days before Mr. Metcalf
saw anything of Neale, and all that
time Martha saw to it that her father
followed out directions perfectly. The
foot had ceased to ache, and he was
able to walk without cane but the
doctor forbade him to leave the house.
"Neale,' he said the first time he
saw the doctor, I'm hungry. I'm
headed towards skin and bones at a
fearful rate and want something to
eat You can have Martha If you will
only cut out this diet and exercise
business"
I've got to cure you first, Mr.. Met
calfe."
How long will it take?"
Three months at this rate"
Three months" groaned Mr. Met
calfe
Yes. That isn't long"
And ! have to juggle all that pig
iron and live on baby food for three
| months"
I'VE will reduce the exercise as you
grow stronger and increase the food
as you need it, but we will stick to the
letter of the contract. Martha and
will not marry until you are cured"
SO I'm up against the real thing.
Neale?"
You are"
'All right, but | mean to have my
inning. AS you leave to give Martha
more instructions to continue my mis-
cry kindly tell Mrs. Metcalfe wish
to see her will you Neale?"
Certainly" said Neale with a
smile.
Thank you, murmured Mr. Metcalfe
with mock courtesy.
-Four more days passed and one
morning after finishing up the hop
ping on one foot, Metcalfe turned to
Martha.
Martha, | wish you would invite
Neale to dinner tomorrow night if he
car come"
All right father. suppose you
want him to swear you are cured?'
mo, daughter, he won't have to
swear to anything think | am able
to swear for both of US
But you said"
Hang what | said Martha This
physical culture, as you call it, is pure
physical torture, and tomorrow night
Is Neale's last chance If he wants
you or you want him. or you want
each other"
Now, father"
Nov nothing! This comedy has
gone far enough. AS soon as tum-
BILE out of bed in the morning you
shove that hardware into my hands
and make me go through more per-
fOrmances than trick monkey ! get
out of the bath as hungry as bear
in springtime and YOU decorate my
place at the table with soda biscuit
and COW Juice I'm cured, tell you.
| ought to know when I'm cured,
oughtn't l?'
NO, father Neale--"
Hang Nealc," shouted her father
as he FASTENED to the bathroom.
The following evening DR.. Balm
came as a guest for dinner lie and
Martha together entered Mr. Met
calfe's room
Hello, Ncale," he said cheerily
Are you ready to say cured?'
No, indeed The symptoms are
only in allegiance, and it will take at
least three months to get it out of
your system"
And you and Martha are not to
marry until I'm cured?'
Exactly"
And when you are married this
monkey business stops?"
Sure laughed Neale.
Then just kindly open that door"
Neale opened the door and into the
room walked Mrs. Metcalfe, min
lister, clerk of the county courthouse,
and several friends.
What does it mean father" gasped
Martha
1T means you and Neale are going
to be married right now"
Martha fell Imply into a chair Balm
burst out laughing and put his arms
about her and told her to be brave.
In q few minutes they were husband