The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-03

terested in him. But the next morn
ing she did not even appear on the
porch. The second morning she
passed across the lawn, her chin high
in the air. She actually turned her
back upon him.
The third morning there was q
sheet of paper across the mail box.
It bore one word:
Stupid"
Merrill went his way, pondering.
When his route was finished he
dropped the reins of the old horse, sat
back in the gig listlessly and saw life
and all its hopes and motives drop
into q sea Of despairing gloom.
What does it mean?" he murmured
dejectedly. Stupid - surely! 1t
was meant for me, but why? why?"
The horse, left guideless, had
strayed from the road into a thicket.
In his present joyless mood Merrill
allowed him to Craze. His days labors
were over and he was in a frame OF
mind where solitude was boon. Sud
denly, however, Merrill was startled
by the echo of a vivid scream.
THAT is a woman's voice!" he de-
cided, and leaped from the gig and
dashed through the underbrush in the
direction FROM wh.cl The cry had
sounded. He came to an abrupt halt
where q path intersected the Wild
wood
Miss Blake stood rigid with fear.
confronted by brawny tramp. who,
cudgel in hand, menaced her.
Out with your purse and of with
your jewelry, my pretty" ordered the
man, and then he went sprawling at
a well-directed blow from the strong
fist of Merrill and made off baffled. as
Merrill caught the half fainting girl
in his arms.
Miss Blake was hysterical with graf
itude, but in a few moments had some
what regained her composure.
II had just left Pearl-that is, Miss
Foster" she explained, when that
horrid man came along"
Then perhaps that fellow has
started after her-began Merrill in an
anxious tone
"Oh, she is surely home by this
time" interrupted Miss Blake. Then
she paused. There seemed to be
something on her mind. She finally
placed a pleading hand on his own.
you have been so good to me, y
she spoke falteringly, 81 think should
tell you something about = about
Pearl.
Anything about Miss Foster will
be Of infinite Importance to me-" as
sured Merrill ardently.
"But-but 1t Is breach of conf
dence, perhaps" She hesitated. Their
she burst out. 1T was about those
flowers"
"Oh, the roses Miss Foster sen,
you"
"She did not mean them for me-"
"Indeed?" questioned Merrill puz
zled.
mo. They we're intended for
you"
For me? Oh, l understand now!'
cried Merrill In a quick, comprehen
sive gasp. why. never dreamed o
such thing!"
"Your forget-me-nots--"
Il fancied she would scarcely no
tice them"
WAS 1t not floral message?" init
mated Miss Blake archly.
And the roses were"
"A reply. In the language of how
ers-you should feel honored."
And Stupid, indeed, was II" ex
claimed Merrill. joyously.
Poor PEARL" continued Miss Blake
"She has been searching the wood,
for some grewsome plant that would
express her heartbreak."
"She need not. II the assurance tina
read her good will Alright at last an,
am eager to tell her how happy sh,
has made mel" Grated Merrill in i.
riotous fervor Of delight.
"Suppose-suppose you come owe
to our house tonight?" gently suggest
ed Miss Blake.
Suppose | do?" submitted Merrill
hopefully.
Pearl will be there. You can tel
her all about your modest mistake"
Which Merrill did, in a quiet cor
ner of the pretty garden, amid sleep
ing roses, and the Ginning crickets
and the sweet white moonlight and
love!