The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-18

and mother were eminently respect
able, but the boys!-there were three
of them, and such lads,
Mischief had been born in them.
They were never still, they disturbed
her afternoon nap and they played all
kinds of tricks on her.
When Beulah found her prime roost-
ers carefully attired in cooked hats
and trousers. she only clicked her teeth
and looked mad at her frolicsome tor
mentors. When. however, Tahby came
into the house with walnut shells on
her tender feet, she made a voluble
complaint.
For about a week the boys sub
sided Then one day they coaxed Lad
die. the dog, out OF the house. The
delighted canine had one whole day
of free rowing with his new lovable
Reconsideration. also. In fact, at
ter Beulah had got the burrs. CRIME
and mud off from him, carry and
fetch" she discovered, had been en-
grated into him.
Whereas. Laddie mad heretofore
been a peaceful, contented. well-be-
haved animal, he suddenly developed
constant impulse to seize any OBJ
ject near at hand and run away with
it between his teeth.
And one afternoon, while she was
busy with a lady caller in the parlor,
Laddie heard his fellow-arch conspira-
tors whistling in the next yard, seized
a little blank book lying on the desk
and bolted through the kitchen screen
door.
"C:cckcy." exploded Ned Ransom,
elder OF the brothers, as he glanced
over the written volume, here's
find!'
What is it," riped his juniors in
unison
Miss Arnold's diary Un-m! This
day missed Ellis dreadfully. Aha! An
other G .oomy week Oh, why was
cold and proud with Ellis!' Fellows.
I've heard tie story I''.a get M Gre.
Say. I've scheme that beats the
world"
Whatever it was. before nightfall as
founded Ellis Truman found on his
office desk volume mysteriously left
there AS he read the secret repinings
of the woman he loved, he marvelled.
To arrive at conclusion he was speedy,
however.
She loves me, has loved me all
along" he cogitated the proofs mere
are also irresistible. Say, I'll make
the venture-l'll return the book"
He was glad that it was pitch dark.
as. dressed III his best. with wildly
beating, but hopeful heart. he started
for the Arnold cottage. He stole up
the steps and fumbled about for the
door bell. He could not locate it. for
a new one had replaced the one with
which he had once been familiar.
His hand grazed the dangling catch
Of the screen door He was the cause
Of sinister janglings. Then he drew
back as the inner door was sudden
ly opened, flash Of light flooded him,
and whack! came bulky umbrella
over his head. crushing his silk hat
and knocking him fiat.
For mercy's sake!" gasped Beulah,
Il thought it was those troublesome
boys next door playing tickey-On-
the-window."
Il am sorry. came to return
"a book which | suppose you lost, ;
faltered Ellis.
She changed to all colors as she in
vited him in doors She guessed out
what had happened. He, too. was
quick witted.
"Beulah." he said, after a pause,
Il suppose you heard ! am the in
ventor OF a collar clip that is marvel
of conve! fence and comfort, saves
temper and helps me forget that un-
fortunate collar button
oh. you still remember that" in
| quired Beulah softly.
Just as | remember yOu," he an
swered pathetically, two tones more
plaintive and appealing. "Beulah," he
added bravely, ''let US go over that
bad evening five years ago and then
forget II in new bargain for the fu-
ture. What do you say?"
Her answer was to draw her chair
closer to him and smile sweetly, as
| she said:
Il am listening. Ellis"
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