The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-03

stood on the t0p SUP tcSoAo 49,
tween the honeysuckls vinss-A broad
masculine figure with big Panama
hat swinging in one hand and geniai
smile of greeting on his bronze face.
Hello. Aunt Celia!" doomed out
hearty voice. Don't you know met
"Why-ee, it's Oliver! Oh. Phemie.
it's my nephew. This ID Miss Ravens,
oliver. She-Ive-
1--WE come to stay awhile with miss
Bennett" interposed Picnic, quietly
her cheeks deep-hushed and her eyes
downcast
And rye come to stay for good,
said Oliver Bennett, decisively. Yes
stree! Going to quit my rowing ana
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 be 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 see 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 90 full, SO gay. 30 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 he
to stay here with you after all I'v'
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 blow
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 a hasty d.
parture. She wrote q brief note I
Miss Bennett. and, fastening on he
gray turban and cape, stole down tn
rear stairway again. out into tn
shadows Of the summer night.
Tears blinded her 20 she could NO
see the obstacle in the path againl
which her flying feet carried her. !
pair Of stalwart arms caught her q
she staggered from the impact.
Ginger! Running me down, eh
cried masculine voice. whats you
hurry! Why. Miss Ravens. what's tn
matter? Wait, wait, little woman, 20
can't run away from me like THU
There's something in the wind, an
I'm going to know about It,"
"You can't" sobbed Picnic, Wild
struggling to escape. Let me 60
I'm going away. l knew I'd be misul
derstood! You-you don't have to Al
wise her not to adopt me. oh. pleas
please let me go!"
Oliver Benefits wits were workin
: quickly. He drew the trembling a.
ure he held to a nearby seat an
: spoke soothingly. but firmly.
.! Miss Havens-Phemie Havens-
listen to me. You didn't hear all
said. told my aunt she shouldn
l keep you here because IL wanted I
adopt you myself! There. the cat
out Of the bag. You're the finest II
tie woman I've ever seen. to my n
ton. and I'm going to marry you
you'll have me. I was waiting for
: chance 20 tell you. but, Of course,
you want to run away-if you wal
to go-now-Phemie, you 90 rigl
along and III live here with Aunt c
. lie and Pickwick."
He opened his arms wide. and Phi
mie-vsll. after IN instant Of das<
y silence. Picnic Just gave Q happ
hutterins. long-drawn sigh and q
tied back without Q thought Of u
3 new pink rose ON her turban.
- IL guess Ill stay-Oliverl"
(Copyright 1o11 By Associated IAtaRn,
!. Pro0a1