The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-29

there for an hour. She said It was
for fresh air; tattle-tale said that
determined young man could reach
the roof by climbing the big oak tree
growing so near the wall.
Miss Wells compressed her lips; she
would see TO it; she did see to it.
Old Thomas was set to watch at
night, but he snoozed the hours away.
His old watch dog took his place, and
was found dead of old age the very
next morning
All, she had it at last. She would
go upon the roof herself and catch the
criminals red-handed She was lit
F., tie old TO be eating around on house
| roofs at night. but the honor of the
| Wells school was at stake.
The second night after tattle-tale
| had given things away was beautiful
summers night. 1t was night for
cats and lovers to prowl. An hour
before midnight found Miss Wells
stealing up the scuttle ladder and out
on the roof She was there to watch
that tree. Yes, one of it's limbs &C
tually overhung the roof. 1t would be
no feat at all for determined young
man. Miss Wells was scantily dressed.
Her scant hair was hanging down
around her neck. and she was bare
footed in her slippers.
The watcher had been at her post
nearly an hour when something hap
pened She thought she heard some
one in the tree. and in shifting her
position she lost her grip and went
rolling down the steep roof until
safe from further fall, but she must
get back to her place. A cat coulC
have done it. but, alas, she was not {
cat She was only an old maid witt
shaky nerves. She wouldn't have
tried that climb for a thousand dol
> lars. If she called out who woult
] hear her? If she waited until day
+ light-heavens,
And then she looked up to see tn
), figure of a man above her. Some
:. thing told her that it was the deter
g mined young man with the scar o
G his chin In addition, he told her $
/ himself. He was very cool about l
|, After gazing down at her for thro
d or four minutes he asked:
Q How are YOU going to get u
J. again?"
J. Young man, I'll have you arreste
II for burglary
;, You can't There's no broakir
and entering in climbing a tree.
"What are YOU here tor?"
TO set You out of scrapc, if "
= are sensible. If not you'll be left f.
4 people to gaze at in the morniu
II About COO hands in the shoe facto
4 can overlook this roof, and You a
not dressed for company.
= "Ill scream for bolp!"
And have it in the papers that "
wcrc sncaking around on the rool
MIDNIGHT, 40, my dear Miss Well
your way is the quiet way Imagine
! reporter sitting here in my plac" a
! interview ing you, Imagine the h"i
| lines in the papers, Imagine nm
| king a snapshot at YOU by lashliGht
! Are Nol tllC NOullS luttll Nl'' NV
wanted to marry
| "Shc wanted to. and she wants
II yet I'm here tonight 10 help her doN
= the tree. We are going to elope.
Il have rope here, and | have p
posal to make
"Ycs?"
Let her seemingly start for hoi
i'm the morning with her trunk
take care of the rest If You wo
agree. down tn" tree We 20. and
are left right where You are
Z Miss Wells gaspod out never
and added that She would perish il
but when the young man started
slide the scuttle and signal to NJ
~ Jean. things changed. She gave |
solemn word and was pulled up
keep ii. She started her of on p
tense of sickness at home, and as
We girl was ready To depart she whiSp
II. ed in her car:
III "li you never, never never say ~
49,, thing about this I'll always say Il
-, if | ever marry any man II Will be
~ dot, rmincd young man who kno
-, what he wants