The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-07
PLANTING PENNIES
BY ADA MAY ROWLAND.
copyright. 1914. by W. G. Chapman.)

as he proceeded on his way. Il don't
like that sentiment. and I always
thought that Hal Sturges was the last
man in the world to entertain such
fallacy.'
The soliloquizer, however, did not
know that his usually bustling. hope
full young friend was under a pretty
Hope, ambition, love. seemed all about
to wither away because of money and
Its urgent need
Many years previous Halls father
had loaned David Eastman a large
sum of money. Things went wrong
with Eastman. Then they went bet.
ter. He was honest and he turned
over to his creditor his little mort
gagged farm at Grayton. with the pro-
viso that he was to be its tenant at
q fixed rental while he lived. Finally
Eastman wrote to Halls father that
he would be able to square the whole
debt, somo ten thousand dollars, with
in a year.
Halls father died before the year
was up. Hal wrote to Mr.. Eastman.
asking what the prospects as to the
promised money might be. He re-
ceived a speedy reply. stating that If
he would come down to Grayton the
old account would be settled in cold
cash.
Hal arrived at Grayton to find that
10 hot
A search ,lde for will. None
was found or money. There was
none at bank nor in the house. Oriy
the old farmhouse was in evidence as
tangible property.
1t was great disappointment to
Hal, all this. He had confidently
counted On the money to start IN
business. lie had already invested IN
that direction. This became a dead
loss. lie had to go back to poor
paying position in the adjoining town.
Then, too, Il situation evolved at the
little farm that distressed him. Dur
Ing the last year of his life Mr.. East
man had given home to an orphan
Blll ttllu Htl iltilt Sloltl anu
Lois Blynn. The young lady had been
housekeeper and nurse for her old
almoner. He had given her COW.
some chickens, and the old farm horse
and carryall. Independently Nellie
had worked up quite a clientele for
milk and eggs in the neighborng vii
lage.
Usually, Saturdays he ran down to
the farm.
Upon the day that he felt that
money would cure great proportion
of his Ills Hal was realizing how
slow was the process in his present
environment towards attaining com
petence. Unlnowingly, the vague
thought of being able to ask Nellie to
become his life partner had certain
place in his aspirations.
He was greeted at the farm by Mel
lie in her usual bright sympathetic
mood lie stayed to supper AS usual
he gave to little big-eyed. wistful Lois,
the few pennies he never begrudged
her
lou wv tIihts A'i. ip'u' oN''b
chided Nellie Gently, as the little one
! scampcrcd away.
"Why not?' challenged Hal pleas
antly.
because she seems to lose them
all 1t is strange, but she never asks
to 20 to the village and buy sweet
! meats, like ordinary children. The
pennies always disappear mystcri-
ously and she never tells where they
go to-"
"Perhaps she has secret boarding
place." suggested Hal. with a smile.
He left Nellie and strolled through
the orchard in quest of the truant
child Finally he caught sight of her
blue frock over near a fence corner.
why, what are you up to, little
onc?" propounded Hal.
Lois looked up with little am
swcrng fr0wn
Not very nice, being pocka boo on
a young LADY," she chidcd, childishly.
"lf you want to know, though, I'm
planting ponnics!"
planting pennics," calculated the
bafIled Hal
Yes, sir. AL you give me--in
here" and she patted the ground.
when they grows, Use going to pick
whole baskusfuls olf'n the bushes.
whatever put that in your head,
child?' demanded Hal.
"Gran'pa;' so she had been taught
to designate Mr. Eastman.
How is that" pressed Hal.
Saw him do it, watched him." was
the blunt explanation. "Bags-and
they chinked. And jew'lry, and pa
pers. He didn't know | was watching
him. Never growed, though. Guess
spot was too shady"
Where was the spot, Lois?" pressed
Hal eagerly.
She showed him. A bright light of
intelligence had flooded Hal Sturges'
mind Ten minutes later he was view
ing the ground under an old oak tree
where Lois insisted she had seen
"Gran'pa" planting money
1--WE been doing some digging" an.
nounced Hal TO Nellie somewhat later,
and he told of his discovery "A small
fortune" he explained. Dear little
Lois, but for her the hidden store
might never have been found Then"
and he drew nearer to Nellie with a
manner that consciously made her flut-
ter, Il should not have been able for
long time to ask a question | must
now PROFOUND"
/ "A question? faltered Nellie, all a.