The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-08-07

then, seeing that the road was clear,
kissed her
We had almost forgotten the incl
dent by the next summer. We had
been married two years then, and
/ there was reason why our home
ought to materialize that year We
were still looking for it. Yes, and we
were still discovering new villages
with quaint old houses within an
hours ride of the metropolis.
1t was not easy to find the home of
our dreams, and we were almost COM
ing to believe that it would never re-
veal itself, when we came one day
upon village street which seemed
somehow familiar to both of us.
Dear" said Elizabeth, laying her
hand upon my arm. don't you remem-
Der now? That red brick cottage"
old MiChaels!" | exclaimed
Then We remembered everything,
and we went on quite quickly to see
whether the old wall was still stand
ing. 1t was-but three other walls
had been added to it, each with ivy
plants at the base and shingled roof
completed what was really a charming
little house. Rose bushes, freshly set
out, were beginning to bloom in the
garden, and man was at work in a
potato patch near the gate. He turned
as we drew near, and we recognized
the man who had told us about old
Michael.
He did not recognize us, OF course,
but he was just as gossipy and ready
for chat as ever. He came toward
US, dragging his hoe behind him.
Kind Of hot today, amt it," he
said, running the back Of his hand
across his dripping forehead.
SO the house is built at last" l
said in answer. Did old Michael sell
you the property"
He nodded and smiled. "Ah, SO you
was the couple as was here last year, "
he said. I've often thought Of YOU
since then, because you see, it wasn't
but week later that she come back
What" | cried "Pansy?"
AYE Pansy Eighteen year It must
have been she'd been away in the city,
working in some Office there, Yes,
and she'd riz and riz, too, till she had
become quite an important person
there. And then, having saved up a
few thousand dollars, what does she
do but come back to buy the old
house"
And did he sell it," asked Eliza
beth, quite breathless.
mot a bit OF It," answered our
friend 1T was strange, her coming
home just after I'd had that talk with
you. thought to myself. always hui
NOR inquisitive folks and talk with
them, because 1t means good luck. "
We'll! The ideal" exclaimed Eliza
beth Indignantly.
"Old Michael had been working late
that evening, because 1t was mid
juno and the light was strong. He
came back about eight o'clock | was
passing his house when | saw wo.
man coming along the road 1t was
her, knew her in a minute. So did
old Michael. was curious then,
tell you.
She come along and stood there,
staring at him, and he stared back,
but there wasn't anything but hate in
his look Then, all at once-I don't
know how it happened, but | heard a
sort Of sob-I don't know which ono
sobbed-and they were holding each
other tight and crying and kissing.
And Old Michael didn't look old any
more, nor doesn't now And they live
here now. work for EN- Rich they
are, and-there's a baby come last
April.
SO what ! say is, next time a Cos
sip comes along, I'm a,going to treat
him kindly, because they do bring
luck with EN-, there's no doubt about
that"
"Well!" gasped Elizabeth again.
Dear" | said, as We started home
ward Il think we shall have to build
that house Of ours after all"
"But 1t shall not take us eighteen
years to build it, ] answered her
I saw by the look in her eyes that
she understood me, For our house of
love was built already
Copyright. 1914. BY W. G. Chapman)