The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-16

COulO nnQ pa AN
tron or two among
the summer col
ony Of the people who was liberal.
However, the small advertisement
in the morning paper solved Helen's
problem for her and promised a much
needed month in the mountains.
Jimmy" she called to her brother,
who had not as yet left his office.
"listen to this chance for me to get
into the country for awhile" She
read the lines to him. ITO Dress
makers-A splendid holiday at Cha
teaugay, in Adirondacks, for one
month; board and lodging free in re-
turn for making few summer
dresses. Mrs. Drake. Amble Cottage,
Chateaugay. N. Y There! Isn't that
a dandy opportunity for me and you
can have a glorious month of bach
elordom." She Rugged her big broth.
er in an ecstasy of excitement, and
went over to her desk to write
hurried note to Mrs. Drake Offering
that lady her services as seam
stress.
Two days passed before Helen's re-
ply came. and still another before she
could get comfortably packed up and
started on her way.
Helen had not been in Amble Cot
tage two days before she knew the
real state of affairs.
1T seems" she wrote to her broth
er, that the brakes had not expect.
ed to meet anyone whom they cared
to cultivate. up here in the mountains.
but Enid, the daughter, has made
the acquaintance of one Mark Austen,
who has taken the camp next doof.
and clothes are needed in .ahurry
to ensnare the said Mark. - 1t seems.
from all l can learn. that he Is most
eligible catch. Hence 1t Is Mr.. Aus
ten Of Camp Fire that l must thank
for my lovely holiday-isn't IT."
It was during one Of Helen's ram
bles along the edge Of trout stream
that she came suddenly upon fish,
erman. Helen would have quietly
passed him had he not turned laugh
ingly toward her.
II suppose there IL not tho slight
est chance Of your having . match
with your he inquired boyishly. Il
had the misfortune to drop my box
In the stream while bending over this
beauty" He drew up q rainbow trout
for Helen's admiring eyes.
II often make my tea in the woods.
she told him by way Of explaining the
presence Of masculine equipment In
her own pocket.
by jove! am the lucky dog" he
commented Il suppose you often take
this walk before breakfast" he Quer
led with appalling disregard for the
conventions. II fish here rain or shine
every morning from six o'clock to
lunchtime: and since l am no good al
making tea or anything, I have to &c
home to camp"
II only walk here when the fancy
| pleases me-" she told him with only
slightly elevated dimpling chin
Good morning" she added, and
would have turned on her heel save
that she slipped on wet rock and
would have fallen.
! There he said catching her
that is what you get for behaving
SO abominably to me-" He put hel
carefully on her feet then and re
sumed his fishing. After thaLshe
could do nothing but-reward him
I with one Other most lovely smiles.
1T was good of you to save me
from ducking," she said, land II
had been properly introduced to you
l would be delighted to cook some Of
those beauties on camp fire." she
pointed to his basket OF trout. "As Il
is, must hurry back, since my time
is not entirely my own" She wen
then and the lone fisherman watched
her out of sight.
His catch that morning was excel
lent. They were piled SO high In hi'
basket that he stopped on his way
home to offer his neighbors dozer
for their lunch.
Enid Drake met him on the Wild
veranda of Amble Cottage. "Oh, Mr.
Austen, you disreputable person" sh'
exclaimed laughingly. as she viewc'
his great boots that were muddy ant
his old flannel shirt that was weather
beaten from many raiSS Neverthe
less it was her best smile mat-sh
gave him. for he was the most elig
ible Mark Austen of Camp Fire.
The smile was completely waste,
on Mark Austen, because at that me
ment he caught sight Of sunny hea
bent over a pink something that sh
was sewing on.
The next letter that she sent HON
to her brother ended with Ion
paragraph of eulogy on one Mar
, Austen.
He fell in love with me instead @
, Enid" Helen wrote. HE Is frigh
) fully impatient, and 1t looks as II 20
will have to keep bachelor fiat unit
such time as you find the right girl.