The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-28

dust thinning out WI III
somewhat, Bar <
bara Westcott
saw the low, raking lines of a familiar
roadcar.
Bob Wescott, her younger brother.
his chair tilted back and his feet
cooked up on the verandas stone rail.
ing, looked up from the book he was
reading.
We'll, we'll, here we are again" he
observed, his keen eyes on the ap-
preaching car. Getting pretty fire.
quent. isn't 1t, Bah? l never thought
he was your sort, though"
He isn't" said the girl, with q
sudden tightening Of her lips.
TOO blamedxdigpified and all that
sort Of thing" Boz went on. "Imag-
inc ever calling him Herm,' Bab!"
Little danger Of that said she
tartly.
Bartlett's attentions Of late had been
assuming gravity and frequency
that could have but one meaning. Bar
bara wrinkled those pretty brows Of
hers harder as the motor swung up
to the veranda steps.
Not intruding Miss Barbara,
trust?" he said.
oh, no. I'm glad you came
She held out her hand. Bartlett
had a way Of taking ones hand that
was Difference itself.
Then you haven't any engagement
for the afternoon" he inquired
None whatever" said She
It's such perfect day." said he,
II thought perhaps you'd like to take
a little turn in the car-say out Red
field way. We could have cup of tea
at the Peach Tree inn"
Barbara made little grimace.
I'm awfully tired of the Peach Tree
and all the other places like it.
They're so fearfully, fearfully proper"
Bartlett looked little surprised at
the outburst, but he said nothing.
I'll tell you what l wish you would
do she ratified on. Take me down
to Oak Grove park will you? dare
you to do it,"
Bartlett debated mentally.
In the carr" he asked.
Carr" said she. "Of course not.
On the trolley. Well eat peanuts all
the way down"
She could hardly keep from chuck
ling; Bartlett seemed so distressed.
I'VE couldn't get back until nine or
So" he demurred.
who cares? II you're afraid, never
mind I'll go alone. Only, my heart
is set on going to Oak Grove park
this afternoon"
"Of course III &c" he interrupted.
What time can we get carr"
Quarter past the hour in the
square. I'll be ready in minute"
Oak Grove park is noisy, garish /
place. There are the usual hair-rais-
ing amusements, the usual crowd of
vendors and takers, and more or less
Woodworking pleasure-seekers.
Barbara glanced at her escort out
Of the corner Of her eye. He remind
ed her of some stately cavalier going
to dog fight.
Bartlett followed meekly wherever
she led him. He bought the tickets
and was just as stately upside down
on the loops as he was anywhere else
Barbara, watching him, saw he was
trying, in his own stiff way, to enter
into the spirit Of the occasion. What
it must cost him she could we'll mag
Inc. And when he suggested, as they
finished the last of the amusements,
that they do them all over again, she
relented.
mo, take me home, now" she said,
rather shortly.
They alighted at the square. He
way for her through the
crowd and they turned into the quiet
road that led up to her fathers big
estate.
The girl was very quiet. She did
not speak until they were we'll down
the road and quite alone.
I'm little cat, she burst out self
accusingly
HUH" said Bartlett, stopping short
In his tracks. You're nothing Of the
sort. You're q jolly, whole-souled,
democratic little girl that can do as
the Romans do when you happen to
be with the Romans"
DON'T" she begged You're the
one that's fine. know what it meant
to you to go through what you did
this afternoon. did 1t just to shock
you, and l ate the peanuts to shock
you, and rode the thrillers to shock
you, and screamed at the top of my
voice to shock you. And you were so
nice about it all, So"
why, say" he interrupted her.
Hold on! You're all wrong had
the time of my life. Honestly l did"
And | thought you were so digni-
fied-so awfully, terribly dignihed!"
said she.
Am l dignifed?" he demanded.
You're something better than that"
she declared
What's that" he asked.
Human" said she.
Little girl" he began.