The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-02
PROF. SIMPSONS RIDE
BY ANNE DONALDSON.

Eileen's three sisters regarded tn,
pet Of the family with disapprovinl
eyes. Eileen was small and dark an(
vivacious; she was undeniably clevel
and possessed several natural accom-
plishments-a rich contralto voict
that charmed the ear, the ability t.
whistle like a bird, deft fingers q
thinning dainty water colors, turning
q rhyme or drawing cartoons. Eileer
had baked at entering college-sht
declared that out of four daughter
mother must have one who could hell
manage the house.
So when Prof. Archibald Sampson
came to the university town. Eileen'i
learned sisters preened themselves
and prepared for conquest. Professor
Sampson was a noted archeologist, 9
man Of means, loving science ant
learning for its own sake, and q bach
elor.
Mr.. Wakelee was a retired banker
with Q fondness for golf and his fam
lily Of girls were socially popular.
One day Mr.. Wakelee brought Pro
lessor Sampson home to luncheon. and
Maud and Eva and Paula prettily dis
played their stock Of learning. while
the professor only seemed interested
in the salad and beamed upon Eileen
when she admitted that she was re-
sponsible for it.
Mr.. Wakelee laughed heartily "a
the weeks went by and Professor
SIMPSONS attentions to his youngest
daughter became more pronounced
but Mrs. Wakelee dropped q word OF
advice to Eileen.
In love with him. Oh, no, mum.
sy!" she cried. "He is years older
than / am: and besides" A lovely
color stained her olive cheeks and
her hazel eyes became soft and LUIS.
trous with some hidden thought.
''Besides?" questioned her mother
gently.
"Besides-he couldn't really care to
marry such silly girl as am" I'm.
ished Eileen. and she guessed that
her mother knew that was not the
real ending Of her uncompleted sen.
tence.
The next afternoon the Wakelees'
touring car glided down the avenue
to the front gate. Eileen was at the
wheel, alone in the big machine.
She waved her hand to her family
assembled on the veranda and sped
out of sight.
Il hope she will be careful" sighed
Mrs. Wakelee.
There would have been dismay on
the shaded veranda of the Wakelee
house II Eileen's family had seen the
twin imps of mischief In her great
eyes.
The machine crawled down the
road, skirted the campus and over
took Professor Sampson as he was re-
turning to his lodging.
Good afternoon" called Eileen
gayly.
He beamed upon her. hat in hand.
I'm driving up to the Point" she
went on. "The winds been blowing
all morning and there must be a fine
surf up there. Come along?"
"Will II" was his answer, az he
jumped in beside her. Il need q
fresh wind to blow all thes isms
and ologies out of my poor old head"
You seem to be sorry for your.
SELF" accused Eileen, impudently.
Il have reason to be-" he sighed
gustily.
Eileen's heart jumped and she
threw IN the clutch. The car leaped
forward. The professor chung to his
hat.
Il love to speed. don't your" she
laughed up at him.
mo" he gasped.
DO you want to get out now" she
dared him.
"No-you need guardian" he said
1erkily. PLEASE be careful"
There was silence in the car for a
while as the great machine tore along
the macadam road, swinging around
sharp corners. bounding up and down
hills. narrowly averting collisions.
At last he leaned over and placed
his hands over her little gloved ones.
He guided the machine into an open
Held while Eileen struggled against
his superior strength. At last the
car was at a painting standstill.
Now, you little goose. change
places with me-" he said masterfully.
You're not fit to drive a car"
Eileen regarded him mutinously
from under thick, black lashes. 81
prefer to drive it myself" she said.
He stood up and. catching her un.
der the arms, lifted her from the
drivers seat and slipped into it him.
self.
Well" blazed Eileen angrily. T
like that"
my dear child" he smiled humor.
,usly at her. Il gave you credit for
more sense than to risk our lives in
that manner Your life is very pre-
cious to me for several reasons; one
IS because I'm fond of you. another
g because my nephew. Jack Lamson
-ah, you blush. little girl-confessed
70 me that he met you last summer
and that you are secretly engaged.
He's working like a steam engine to
get ahead. and l think you ought to
-ell your parents, Eileen. Jack told
ne to be good to you"
"Oh. dear!" Eileen was all laugh.
Ter and bushes. And thought YOU
we're In love with me and l was try.
ng to make you disguised with me!
Please. please. don't tell Jack that I'm
! silly, reckless girl, will Won. dear