The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-04
IMpERIOUS MISS COLBY
BY JUNE GAHAN.

Oup Wdo lhPSA iooo udA oSAA " AA->>
and obstinate.
Her father hadn't very much money
and she wasn't very good looking, but
the attitude of the girl was that Of
one born to a throne and expecting
every minute to receive a check OF
several billion dollars from Mr. Rookie
Teller.
Miss Saxon had had plenty Of ad.
mirers, but had become interested In
none. About the time she ought to
have been interested In young man
she would give him the cold snub and
he would vanish and another take his
place.
There were people who called the
girl fiirt and coQuette, but she
wasn't that. 1t was that she had not
yet met the right young man, No one
had ever clashed with her; no one,
not even her father, had dared to say
to her:
Who are you to think yourself
the salt OF the earth? You have a
passable figure; you are as good look
ing as most of the girls In the depart
ment stores. You have only fair
education. Why do you swagger!
Why do you snub? What right have
you to say that one shall do this and
do that?"
Three different people appeared at
Willow Springs by the same train.
There was her ladyship, Miss Saxon
Colby.
There was Professor Peters, profess
sor Of mathematics at certain col
lege. He was fifty-f1ve years old, and
was taking a vacation for the first
time in fifteen years.
There was Gilbert Needham. sue
cessful author, who was just then very
much before the public
The professor and Mr.. Needham put
up at hotel, while Lady Saxon Colby
stopped with friends at private
house.
The professor put in much Of his
time wandering over the roads and
fields. Mr.. Needham sat on the We
randa and smoked and took a walk
now and then Miss Saxon drove out
in pony cart or an auto, and fire.
quented the hotel more or less. At
an early date she and the young man
were introduced. After they had sized
each other up he said to himself:
Rather nice looking, but she's snob
bish and imperiOus.'
He's a very clever author, but In
private life he may have lot of traits
to be criticized" Miss Saxon said Of
him.
1t has happened thousands Of times
and it will happen thousands more,
that man and woman who are an
tagonistic at a first meeting, and
rather wish to avoid each other, will
be thrown together in spite of them
selves.
One day young Needham was almost
knocked off his feet by an invitation
from Lady Saxon to take her for a
walk to pick daisies. In his mind he
complimented her on dropping her
usual attitude, and thereupon he made
himself as agreeable as possible 1t
was not long, however before he came
to suspect that she had plan. They
had gathered a great bunch of daisies
and were sitting with their backs to a
thicket, when she remarked:
Il suppose you have received lots Of
fattery over your so-called literary
achievements
Certain people have spoken kindly
of my efforts" was the reply.
There are always toadies. As a
literary effort must say that regard
your books as dreary failures"
They may be from your stand.
point"
Which, | am sure, is the correct
one. Most anyone can hit the taste Of
the rabble"
Il beg pardon, Miss Colby, but some
of the highest and most competent
critics have spoken we'll of my work"
But my criticisms will stand, sir.
and they are most unfavorable. As an
author you are failure!"
Thanks"
After that there was nothing to do
but walk back to the hotel and they
hadn't progressed ten rods when Pro-
fessor Peters emerged from the
thicket with grin on his face. He
had heard every word.
OF course, the authors feelings were
hurt, but he realized that malice was
the incentive, and he tried to be cheer.
full over it 1t was only three DAYS
later when he was asked If he could
drive an auto. Upon his replying in
the affirmative, Lady Saxon said:
Il wish to go over to Hill City on
an errand, but the chauffeur is Ill. You
will drive me over"
1t was direct command. and for a
moment the young man was inclined
to refuse. Then he thought of the
rudeness, and relented.
1t was rough road across the hills
and the auto was started at about ten
miles an hour. 1t should not have
been even that much. They were
about to cross stone bridge on which
sat man with his head down when
her ladyship called out
Why this dallying?"
II. g..