The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-27
Entertaining
ROsun1und


Uncle Roberts heart reproached
him. Possibly he was too self-cen-
tered and selfish. Perhaps he never
did think to do nice things for other
people. Maybe he could make the
world happier if he reformed. So he
invited Rosamund, his S-year-old
niece, to spend long, beautiful day
with him out at his golf club.
He knew he should not have his
usual happy, carefree game. The re-
sponsibility of child would distract
him and possibly she would tear her
dress or get hungry at inopportune
times, but he resolved to sacrifice
himself. All this would he do SO
that he might carelessly mention his
benevolent deed that evening when
he was to take tea with Miss Miller.
He hoped Miss Miller would be
overcome properly with contrition and
feel she had misjudged him cruelty
on one or two previous occasions
when she had let drop comments on
his disregard for others. Perhaps she
would wake up to the fact that she
was letting a golden opportunity slip
in not grabbing him.
Not that Uncle Robert put this bald
fact into so many words. He told his
sister over the telephone that he
would really enjoy taking care of
Rosamund, and he wished to get bet
ter acquainted with her and let the
child realize that she had an uncle
who was an uncle.
1T is very kind of you," his sister
said in surprise. Are you quite sure
you want to bother with her? She is
such an active child"
Rosamund betrayed no surprise at
Uncle Roberts flattering attentions.
but appeared to take them as mat
ter of course.
"Goody! Goody!" she chortled, as
she skipped along to the train with
her escort. AN kin play goff, too?"
We'll, l am afraid you wouldn't en-
Joy It," said Uncle Robert. diplomat
ically. You see there are no sticks
your size. You can find some other
little girl and play with her and fol-
low me around"
There proved to be two other little
girls among those present and he in
troduced Rosamund to them with sun
dry cautions and advice. Not being
used to children. Uncle Robert fondly
supposed they lent respectful and
studious ear to the remarks Of their
elders and modelled their conduct on
their precepts.
He had his first jolt just as he was
negotiating a hard putt on the third
green AS he swung horrid shrieks
rent the air and he shot the ball three
feet wide of the mark. Everybody
Jumped and began looking for the
murder. Back at the water hazard
two small girls danced wildly on the
bank-and Uncle Robert ran. Some
body else had fished Rosamund out
when he arrived, scarlet and appalled,
It was muddy hazard and Rosamund
presented a sad appearance.
Hush" ordered her distracted un
Gle. 81 don't understand-didn't I ex
pressly tell you to stay away from the
brooke"
"They wuz f-f-frog," explained his
sobbing niece. ''He jumped and sc
did 1! 1t was his fault"
Uncle Roberts partners said grim
ly that they didn't mind waiting, sc
he conducted Rosamund back to the
clubhouse, and the stewards wife un
dertook to dry her out and make hel
respectable, meanwhile putting her tc
bed, where she would be rendered
harmless.
The delayed game went on to the
end and a chastened Rosamund, slight
ly grimy as to pink gown, joined him
at luncheon, where she only tipped
over her milk and the vinegar and
dropped chop on the floor.
He set her to picking wild flowers
that afternoon, but when he came In
from the course he found her in a cor
ner of the porch with an oddly swol
len face.
"She got into the marsh where the
mosquitoes are said the stewards
wife. "And besides I'm afraid she
picked some poison ivy!"
With a sigh Uncle Robert hast
ened to put himself to rights before
the golf special at o'clock for town
81 am going to take a shower bath,
he told his niece, land dress. Their
we'll go home"
Five minutes before the bus left fol
the train Uncle Robert. immaculate
and fresh as befitted gentleman
about to go to tea at Miss Miller's
stepped out on the porch. There
was no swollen-faced, muddy llttl,
niece visible. Though large person
Uncle Robert can hasten on occasion
and this was one. He dashed at high
speed through the clubhouse, wailine
distractedly, "Rosamund, Rosamundi
The first bus ratified off. Other PEG
mob tore about yelling "Rosamund.'
The second bus left.
Uncle Robert with wilted collar
staring eyes and congested face near
ly stepped on a small girl in CORR
dor 1t was one of the two who hat
been Rosamund's companions that
fatal day, She turned limpid. angelic
eyes up TO his frantic query.
"Rothamund she lisped. "Yeth,
know where thee ith-thee's in TAX
ing a thower bath" And the bus
ratified of.
BY merely remarhing that desert
ed golf club when it is the tag end Of
the day is the deadest, gloomiest spot