The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-19

tured Rittenhouse one day. HIS had
always meant to tell her the story OF
the arrow, but not until certain pro-
pitious time which he meant to bring
about at no distant date-as soon as
he had assured himself that May
loved him.
Yes, indeed" she answered. Faith
er bought US shooting set one
day. but the bows were left out in the
rain and got wet and useless. He's
an enthusiast upon archery, you know.
It really was his idea. He's always
speaking about ordering some new
bows from town. You ought to see
my cousin shoot" she continued. "She
can hit the bulls eye from the other
end Of the garden. Some day you
must have match with her"
81 don't want match with her..
muttered the young man sulkily.
"Why?" inquired May with appar-
emit ingenuousness. Don't you like
Oliver
III do any shooting it's going to
be with YOU" cried Rittenhouse. TAX
ing her by the hand. Il want to do
everything with you-shooting and
walking and eating and-everything.
May. don't you see how I care for
you? I've wanted to tell you dozen
times day, but could never gather
up the courage. Can't you love me q
little II you try awfully hard?"
May looked at him and suddenly
threw her arms round hts neck
20, my dear, think can" she
said.
That was all, and 1t was not In the
least like anything that Rittenhouse
had ever written. But the two young
people paced the garden in such hap
piness as comes only once to men and
women, when they love for the first
time, which is also to be the last.
It must have been two hours later
when they were suddenly recalled to
their surroundings by seeing the sun
drop behind the hills.
And now l am going to speak to
your father" said Rittenhouse. He
doesn't know, does he?"
Father" exclaimed May. why,
he never dreams of such a thing about
me. He only thinks Of me in connec-
ton with his hobbies. Just now it's
archery. But he's dear and don't
think you will have very hard task
before you. Are you really going to
speak to him now?"
"Now," repeated Rittenhouse boldly
and they went into the house together
thrilled with delicious terror.
The Judge was in his library, and
on the table were two new bows
which he was strnging. lie whirled
round enthusiastically as the young
people entered
I've got them" he exclaimed ex
ultantly. 81 didn't tell you, May
going to surprise you, you know. Here
they are. Now tomorrow we must
set up the butts again. Well teach
Rittenhouse and make f1rst-class
archer of him"
Judge" said Rittenhouse. Il want
to speak to you about something"
Eyes, my boy. What is IT."
Il want to marry May" he blurtet
out.
The Judge stared at him. did you
say you want to-to marry May?" ht
exclaimed.
Now, father" said May, putting bel
arms round his neck. you know YOU
always said you could never deny me
anything So don't make any dificul
ties, because Arthur and l love eacf
other and we are going to be mar
ried"
The Judge sat down and stared
about him in a dazed way.
This will play the deuce with oul
archery team" he said. You'll lose
your sight, May; you'll be thinking Of
of love instead of keeping your eye or
the target. 1t was my dearest hope II
beat the Claybury team, and now"
He ran his hand through his hail
and got up, looking like a man VINO
has reached a great decision.
Never mind" he said. IT'S a BIZ
of a shock, but-take her, my boy
Well, | guess the fates were agains
me, anyway | knew 1t when | sho
that arrow over the wall and lost Il
two months ago"
And Rittenhouse, remembering Ger
tain sentimentalities connected witt
what lay in his drawer, had the gract
to look foolish.
Copyright, 1914. by w. G. Chapman.)