The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-27

dropped in great fragrant clusters over
into the next yard.
oh, dear" she gasped, 81 mustn't do
that"
Why not?" he inquired.
They're your roses"
Not at ALL" declared Ned unblush.
ingly. The law on partition fences
out here in the country, is that half of
II belongs to each adjoining tenant
and all that hangs over it,"
Then / can pick all the roses
want?"
why, certainly, and come over and
get as many more from our side.''
"Oh, couldn't do that without ask.
ing mother" demurred Edna, and ran
into the house.
Ned was charmed. More than that,
ne was smitten. He managed to be at
his post In the garden Immediately aft
er breakfast. He observed Edna look
ing wistfully towards the cherry trees
at the back of the Perkins house.
Il never saw cherries grow before"
she said wistfully.
Why don't you get basket and
pick some!" he insinuated, in your
own orchard"
Our orchard!"
why, yes. That strip back of you
10 free to you. Lot law out in the
country. you know"
Edna regarded him keenly and sus
piciously. but her face was An limo
cent blank. The audacious fellow did
not explain to EDNA that it was a con.
tiuuation Of the Perkins lot that went
around the new neighbor's domain.
She went Wild with delight as he
got stepladder. held the basket and
let hel pick the ripe. bursting globes
in her orchard" In fact, up till near
ly noon they were together and Ned
forgot all about his fishing.
Later that day a coop of chickens
arrived. Edna called over the fence
to know IL Ned couldn't come over and
get the new arrivals into the chicken
house. This led to an introduction to
Mrs. Purtelle, who showed herself
well pleased with the young man.
And when will there be some eggs?
When do the chickens lay most?" nut-
tered Edna.
"Why-well, night times mostly" re-
ported Ned unflinchingly.
"Tllen there will be some fresh eggs
for breakfast in the morning." cried
Edna delightedly
There were, notwithstanding that
Ned had discovered that the imported
brood consisted mostly of ROSTERS. In
the morning with a scream of wild joy
Edna discovered nearly two dozen
eggs. surreptitiously placed in the
nests before daylight by the obliging
Ned
Again a day Of rare companionship,
Cupid forging the chains closer and
closer as the sunny hours went by
Then Edna was full of the theme Of
the little chicks. A setting was duly
provided for by Ned.
And when will the little darlngs
rural ways.
We'll" responded Ned slowly with
cold devoted serenity, with warm
weather, by morning"
"Oh, shall be awake at daylight"
declared the excited enthusiast.
so will Il" vowed Ned and was
At the weird hour of midnight he had
substituted new brood of their own
for the setting.
Mr.. Purtelle arrived at the end Of
the week He stared hard at Edna, as
she introduced Ned, as II he were
some old-time chum. Then there was
a closer acquaintance of the members
Of the family all around. One day the
truant pair came home consciously
flustered.
i've asked her and l love her" Ned
told Mr.. Purtelle promptly.
"Humph." growled Mr.. Purtelle.
good naturally enough" and what
about the false pretences of cherries,
eggs and the like"
"Oh, that shows his kindly DISPOSE
ton. papa!" chirped in Edna. Il saw
through the humbug of his lot law
and twelve hour chickens all the time.
but he was so obliging-so-so anxious
to please me. that led him on be-
cause-why, because" acknowledged
| the blushing maid, IL loved him"