The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-05

tefested In him. But the naxt morn
ing she did not even appear on the
porch. The second morning she
passed across the lawn. her chin high
IN the air. She actually turned her
hack upon him.
The third morning there was .
sheet of paper across the mail box.
It bore one word:
Stupid"
Merrill went his way. bordering.
When his routH was finished he
dropped the reins Of the old horse, sat
back in the gig listlessly and saw life
and all its hopes and motives drop
into sea of despairing gloom.
what does it meant" he murmured
dejectedly. Stupid - surely! It
was meant for me, but why! why?"
The horse. left guideless. had
strayed from the road into . thicket.
In his present jpyless mood Merrill
allowed him to grnxe. His days labors
were over and. he was In . frame Of
mind where solitude was . boon. Sud-
denly, however. Merrill was startled
by tho echo of, . vivid scream.
THAT IL q woman's voice!" he de-
cided, and leaped from the gig and
dashed through the underbrush In the
direction from. which the cry had
| sounded. He came to an abrupt halt
where . path intessected the Wild
wood
Miss Blake stood rigid with fear.
, confronted by q brawny tramp. who.
F., cudgel In hand. menaced her.
Out with your purse and OF with
your jewelry. my pretty!" ordered the
man. and then he went sprawling at
. well-directed blow from the strong
flst of Merrill and made OF bafded. as
Merrill caught the half fainting girl
In his arms.
Miss Blake was hysterical with graf
itude. but in a few moments had some.
what regained her composure.
Il had Just left Pearl-that Is. Miss
Foster" she explained. when that
horrid man came along"
"Then perhaps that fellow has
started after her-began Merrill in an
anxious tone.
"Oh, she. is surely home by thif
time" interrupted Miss Blake. Then
she paused. There seemed to be
something on her mind. She finally
placed a pleading hand on his own.
you have been SO good to me,
she spoke falteringly, 81 think I should
tell you something about - aboLt
Pearl.
Anything about Miss Foster vii
be Of infinite importance to me-" as
sured Merrill ardently.
"But-but 1t Is a breach Of conf
dence, perhaps" She hesitated. Thel
she burst out. 1T was about thos'
flowers"
"Oh. the roses Miss Foster sen
YOU"
"She did not mean them for me-"
"Indeed?" questioned Merrill puz
zled.
mo. They were intended for
you"
For me? Oh, I understand now!
cried Merrill in a quick. comprehen
sive gasp. why, never dreamed o
such thing!"
"Your forget-me-nots-"
Il fancied she would scarcely nc
tice them"
WAS 1t not a floral message?" int
mated Miss Blake archly.
"And the roses were"
"A reply. In the language Of dow
ers-you should feel honored."
And Stupid indeed, was II" e.
claimed Merrill, joyously.
poor PEARL" continued Miss Blak,
"She has been searching the wood
for some grewsome plant that woul
express her heartbreak"
"She need not, II the assurance this
read her good will Alright at last an
b am eager to tell her how happy sh
:. has made mel" Grated Merrill in
9 riotous fervor of delight.
8 "Suppose-suppose you come owe
Q to our house tonight?" gently sugges
ed Miss Blake.
= Suppose I dol" submitted Merri
o hopefully.
Il Pearl will be there. You can te
q her all about your modest mistake"
l. Which Merrill did, in Q quiet CO
q ner OF the pretty garden, amid slee
q ing roses, and the Ginning cricket
g and the sweet white moonlight and
IS love!