The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-06

masculine figure with . big Panama
hat swinging in one hand and genial
smile Of greeting on his bronze face.
Hello. Aunt Celia!" doomed out a
hearty voice. Don't you know met"
"Why-ee. it's Oliver! Oh, Picnic.
it's my nephew. This Ii Miss Havens.
Oliver. She-I've-"
1--WE come to stay awhile with Miss
Bennett" interposed Picnic. quietly,
her cheeks deep flushed and her eyes
downcast.
And I've come to stay for good"
said Oliver Bennett. decisively. Eyes
stree! Going to quit my rowing and
settle down now. Aunt Celia, amt you
glad!"
Picnic sat alone in her room . few
minutes later. Her worst fears were
realized; she had indeed made . great
mistake Not only was she not need
ed now in Miss Benefits home, but
her presence would b undesirable.
And. when the elder woman had told
her story, what would this stranger
think OF her acceptance Of his aunt's
bounty? How might he misconstrue
her motives? Well, she would have
to stay awhile and zee what happened.
What happened was that Oliver
Bennett took complete possession Of
the little cottage and its gentle occu-
pants. Never before had their lives
been 20 full. 20 gay. 20 interesting.
When they were not "faring forth on
pleasure bent" he was telling them
vivid tales Of the strange places and
people he had seen and the wonders
of his travels.
| Picnic thought 1t was the excite
| ment Of these stories of adventure
that made her heart beat faster when
in the presence of this fascinating
newcomer. At no time, however. could
she overcome the feeling she had that
he secretly resented her coming to the
house.
Sometimes she caught him looking
at her In way she could not under.
stand. He seemed to be probing be.
meath the surface of her social man.
ners and questioning her inner helf
At such times she felt almost guilty
The climax came on Saturday eve
ming, Just three weeks after Phemie's
arrival. She was coming in through
the rear doorway when a bass voice
drifted down the hall from the piazzs
where Miss Bennett and her nephew
were sitting.
But. Aunt Celia, this talk of adop
ton is nonsense. You don't want hel
to stay here with you after all Nv,
said! I'll speak to her tonight. my
SELF
Poor Picnic grasped the railinl
with trembling fingers and the no
tears gushed to her eyes. The bloy
had fallen-this was the end! Olive
Bennett himself had pronounced he
sentence. Well. she would not wal
for him to speak to her. She woul
escape such humiliation.
Quickly her small trunk was packe
and preparations made for hasty d,
parture. She wrote Q brief note I
Miss Bennett. and. fastening on he
gray turban and cape. stole down th
rear stairway again. out into th
shadows of the summer night.
Tears blinded her 20 she could NJ
see the obstacle in the path again'
which her flying feet carried her.
pair of stalwart arms caught her Z
she staggered from the impact.
"Ginger! Running me down. en-
cried a masculine voice. whats 20,
hurry? Why, Miss Ravens, what's Il
matter? Wait, wait. little woman. W
can't run away from me like thi
There's something In the wind. al
I'm going to know about It,"
you can't" sobbed Picnic, wild
struggling to escape. "Let me 60
I'm going away knew I'd be misu
derstood! You-you don't have to a
wise her not to adopt me. Oh, pleas
please let me go!"
. Oliver BENEFITS wits were workil
quickly. He drew the trembling 4
ure he held to nearby seat al
= spoke soothingly, but firmly.
- Miss Havens-Phemie Ravens
listen to me. You didn't hear all
: said. I told my aunt she shouldl
keep you here because IL wanted
70 adopt you myself! There. the ca
~ out of the bag. You're the finest
~ tie woman I've ever seen, to my I
n. ton. and I'm going to marry you
s. you'll have me. I was waiting for
az chance 20 tell you, but. Of course.
you want to run away-lf you va
"A to go-now-Phemie. you 90 ril
~ along and I'll live here with Aunt
~ lia and Pickwick."
Il He opened his arms wide. and Pl
81 mie-well, after an instant Of daa
silence. Picnic just gave . hapl
-. huttering. long sigh and
=. tied back without q thought Of
q. new pink rose on her turban.
~ I'll guess I'll stay-Oliverl"
!. Copyright. 1871. by Associated Liter
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