The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-02
TEP MOORE'S
COURTSHIP
By W. J. hampton

girl. That was as plain as the nose
plainest that ever a man stuck into a
handkerchief. But he was not to the
manner born, and, although he feared
no man, he had been mortally afraid
of women as far back as he could re-
member.
That was the reason he had been
counting Mollie Stewart for nearly
two years and had arrived nowhere
much. But girl, and a pretty o'<e
at that, won't stand for everlasting
procrastination, whatever she may
think of the man. and Jep began to
observe that Mollie was having more
gentlemen company than he liked to
see around SO often. He didn't dare
say anything, but he proposed to do
something, and that Immediately.
Which was why he hitched his
horse at her gate that evening and
pounded up the walk to the porch
where she sat all alone waiting for
him. He had informed her by tele-
phone that he was due to arrive at
that hour, and there he was, prompt.
1t was the first time he had ever
been SO definite, and Molly was feel
ing hopeful. She admired Jep, not
because he was beautiful but be-
cause he was good. Some girls don't
think that way about men, but Mollie
Stewart had sense.
a UaI oh
told him to come in and take a chair.
Jep had his courage screwed up till
he was feeling frisky, and he de-
clined the chair, An empty ham,
mock swung across the porch-end
and he thought he would try that He
had seen pictures of summer girls and
young men and hammocks, but he
had never tried one. This seemed to
be the very time, SO into it he went.
Nellie didn't laugh when he tum-
bled out of it backward She helped
him to his feet and Jeps courage all
oozed away. He sat down in a chair
as meek as Moses. Mollie changed
the subject.
Jep spoke of the weather. Mollie
was just as much Interested in the
weather as she was in telephones.
But Jep was uneasy.
The hour was purple twilight. and
twilight and two are a powerful COM
binatiOn when the man knows how to
work 1t. The silver moon was rising
Ger the hills. and II caught Jep's
eye.
Say, Noble" he said with sudden
energy. what would you do il you
was the moon and was the SUM-"
1t was not quite the hattering way
to put 1t. but Jep was awkward and
all he thought Of was the moon was
mighty pretty just then. and so was
Mollie.
Really, I don't know. Jep," she re-
piled, perplexed by the unexpected in
quiry.
Cant you guess!"
"Of course can't. couldn't be the
moon. could II"
"You could be the moon as easy
as could he the sun. couldn't your"
Il suppose So"
well, Just let's s'pose we was
them; then what?"
Mollie studied q moment and the
feminine In her asserted itself.
well. suppose, Jep." she said,
laughing lightly, III l was the moon
and you were the sun I'd go away
when you come"
Jep hadn't thought where the con.
versation would lead. and he was
wholly upset by her answer. He sat
speechless.
But I'm not the moon. Jep," she
added quickly, because you see I
didn't 90 away when you come"
Jep gulped and pulled himself to-
sether. He got up and came over to
her side.
"Dern the sun and the moon, Mol.
lie." he said. hitching his neck up
through his collar so he could get
more air; 81 didn't come over here to
talk astronomy. What come fer
was to know why the dickens you
don't marry mel"
Mollie was not agitated It was
not her first proposal. though it was
different. She looked up at him and
smiled. Jep began to feel wobbly in
the knees.
We'll. Jep." she replied, "if I can
give you one good reason will you for
give me?"
This sounded like Sunday school
talk. and Jep felt the seriousness Of it.
"Of course, will. Mollie. but"-he
hesitated.
The reason is. Jep." she interrupt.
ed. that you never asked me-"
After that it was so plain that even
Jep could grasp the situation, which
be did. including Mollie. Home Life