The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-17
BET1rs CHERRY PIE
Nv cLARIssA MAcklE.

at the top as IL "
the imprisoned rapture WITHIN.
Because it was her first reaiiy SUI.
cessful cherry pie. Betty was hishy
elated as she placed it in the pantry
/ window to cool. 1t was to grace 'le
dinner table that night when her la
ther returned from the city, not anu
tired after a long day in the once
Later Betty changed her frocK anu
with a readable book went out 10 're
hammock swinging under the appie
tree
She loved this tiny vine-wreatnea
cottage which her father had hireu
for the season from its owner, MISS
Alicia Peck. She fairly yearned over
the POLISHED mahogany furniture. the
fine old china and the pervadlng at
mosphere of a bygone day that was
completed by Miss Alicia herself,
tiny little woman who chung 10 Tue
customs of her mothers time
There was no one TO notice Wnen
ragged and unkempt young man
appeared from the direction OF the
river and tried the kitchen door. But
the kew was under Bettys pillow III
the hammock and all the other doors
we're locked as well, for Betty was a
cautious little soul
Then the intruder went around 10
the pantry window, glanced specuia-
lively at the removable screen-and
saw the cherry pie.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation
as he reached long arm, pushed ASIDE
the screen, and removed the pie plate
and ALL Betty's eyes popped wide OPEN
just in time to glimpse the ragged
stranger disappearing with the cherry
pie.
of all the-impudence!' breathed
Betty as she slipped from the ham,
mock and followed him. There never
will be another such cherry pie in
this world"
When Betty came upon him, he
was holding half the cherry pie IN
each hand, and his ecstatic expression
and general sickness of countenance
proclaimed that Betty's effort was
without doubt a success.
What are you eating?" demanded
Betty in an aggrieved tone.
"Ambrosia," he replied with an
unctuous smack of his lips.
Betty started resentfully.
That's a nice way to evade ex-
planning why you stole my cherry
pie! Id be ashamed, great big,
strong man like you-s-s-st-steal-ing
pie!"
why steal plain bread and but
ter, or even cake, when you can find
pie like this? Cherry pie is my ia
vorite of all pies he said with a
fond glance at the pastry. And !
never tasted a better cherry pie in
all my life."
why don't you 60 to work and
earn money to buy food?" she asked,
after she had watched him with fas-
cinated eyes, consume the remainder
of the pie.
Il do work part of the time," he con-
fessed.
What is your trade?"
Painter" he said, rather humbly.
Bettys eyes frightened Here was
an opportunity to make this recreant
youth pay for his pie.
Then you can come right up to
the house and paint the veranda
chairs for me-" she said decisively. Il
was going to do them myself, but you
might as we'll pay for the pie
Very well.' he said with aston.
ishing meekness, considering his size
and strong, square chin.
They had reached the house by this
time, the tramp limping painfully
after her through the prickling stub.
BILE OF the orchard.
Betty turned to speak to her com.
panion, but she was silent in the face
of his manifest amazement at their
destination.
You said it was your pie" he re.
preached her why, l could have
sworn Aunt Alicia made it."
miss Alicia" fautered Betty "Whv
its made by her recipe-she
showed me how-why do you call her
your aunt"
Because she is returned this
amazing tramp cheerfully. THE only
and best aunt fellow ever had. Are
you visiting herr"
Betty told him the circumstances
Il never received her letter" he said
with chagrin. Il came down the river
IN canoe, took a notion to 90 in
swimming before came up to the
house, and left my clothes on the
shore. When came cut my own
clothes had disappeared, and | found
these. had to wash them out first
and dry them in the sun before nut
them on, ard then l came on nm IN
Aunt Alicias, knowing had some
OLD clothes in the kitchen loft cham.
Der. found Aunt Alicia was NOT a,
nome, but discovered the cherry ME
and annexed it, and, believe me
Aunt Alicia hasn't anything over Won
on cnerry pies. But don't believe
therell be another one just like this >
ne'ty blushed. IF you are Miss
Ailcias nephew, you must be tho ar,,
ist of whom she is so proud-Mr Cor
don Craig said the girl rstber 81.
", as she remembered all she had
said to him an hour before
Gordon Craig was quite right. There
never was Just such another cherry
PIE as that one which Betty made ana
uordon stole-which episode intro.
uuced them to each other and fnaI,v
ended in Miss Peck becoming pa,,r,s
Aunt Alicia as well as Gordon Cra;.,.