The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-28
PROF. SIMPSONS RIDE
r,- . -.fH ertGr
By ANNE DONALDSON.

I u
Eileen's three sisters regarded tn,
pet of the family with disapprovinl
eyes. Eileen was small and dark anl
vivacious; she was undeniably clever
and possessed several natural accom-
plishments-a rich contralto voice
that charmed the ear, the ability tc
whistle like a bird, deft fingers a
thinning dainty water colors, turning
q rhyme or drawing cartoons. Eileen
had baked at entering college-she
declared that out of four daughters
mother must have one who could heir
manage the house.
So when Prof. Archibald Sampson
came to the university town, Eileens
learned sisters preened themselves
and prepared for conquest. Professor
Sampson was a noted archeologist, q
man Of means. loving science and
learning for its own sake, and q bach.
elor.
Mr.. Wakelee was q retired banker
with fondness for golf and his fam
lily Of girls we're 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 1t.
Mr.. Wakelee laughed heartily a.
the weeks went by and Professor
SIMPSONS attentions to his youngest
daughter became more pronounced,
but Mrs. Wakelee dropped a word Of
advice to Eileen.
IN love with him?' Oh, no, mum
sy!" she cried. HE is years older
than I am; and besides" A lovely
color stained her olive cheeks and
her hazel eyes became soft and lus-
trous with some hidden thought.
"Besides?" questioned her mother
gently.
"Besides-he couldn't really care to
marry such a silly girl az I am" nm
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 WakeIee
house If 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 q fine
surf up there. Come along?"
"Win II" was his answer, a. he
jumped In beside her. 81 need
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.
NO" he gasped
DO you want to get out now?" she
dared him.
'No-you need guardian" he said
)erkily 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
Ills superior strength. At last the
,ar was at painting standstill.
Nov, you little goose, change
places with me-" he said masterfully. |
You're not fit to drive a car"
Eileen regarded him mutinously
rom under thick, black lashes. 81
prefer to drive 1t myself" she said.
He stood up and. catching her un.
Ter the arms, lifted her from the
rivers seat and slipped into it him.
'elf.
Well" blazed Eileen angrily. 81
ike that!"
My dear child" he smiled humor-
'usly at her. Il gave you credit for
more sense than to risk our lives in
hat manner. Your life 10 very pre-
ious to me for several reasons; one
because I'm fond Of you. another
because my nephew. Jack Lamson
-ah. you blush. little girl-confessed
o me that he met you last summer
nd that you are secretly engaged.
les working like . steam engine to I
et ahead. and think you ought to
ell your parents, Eileen. Jack told
ne to be good to you" Il