The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-25

"eus' o"t tuu1 uiS-y3SU dQQ WIN 0le
own hands prepared a little bed in
which he planted some seeds. But he
took care not to plant the seeds while
the children next door were about.
1t was now two weeks before St
Valentines day. Bates, who was i'm
proving In health. seemed also to be In
q state Of pleasant expectation. Every
day he examined with pair Of binOc.
ulars the bad the children had planted,
Meanwhile there were various meet
fngs between the parties. but Miss
Farnsworth for some reason best
known to herself ignored Mr.. Bates
entirely. and Mr.. Bates externally L.
n0red Miss Farnsworth. But when
ever he met Bob he looked at the boy
with an amused expression. He felt
sure that Bob had been teasing his sis.
ter and the person about whom she
had been teased was Arnold Bates
A week passed after sowing the seed,
but neither bed showed any effect of
the planting. though Arnold Bates by
close examination saw a slight swell
ing Of the earth where the seed had
been planted in his own bed. His
binoculars refused to disclose any sign
whatever Of a terminating force in the
bed In the next yard. He had sown
crocuses In his bed, for he preferred
that they should come up soon-sooner
than whatever might be in the next bed.
On the 18th Of February his GRO
cuses appeared above the surface far
enough to show the word Gladly"
though they were not plain enough to
be read by one in the next house. On
the 18th Bates could discern in the
bed in the next yard parts Of letters.
On the morning Of the l4th. st. Val.
entine's day, after rain in the night.
the plants In both beds stood out plain
~ In green letters. the one BE My
Valentine" and the other Gladly"
What was going on next door on
that St. Valentines morning was not
known to Arnold Bates. II Bob was
In trouble ut having perpetrated what
he intended for very good joke the
fact was not permitted to reach the
gentleman for whom he had raised out
Of the ground valentine from his sis.
ter. for nothing could be palmer than
that such was his intent. The shades
on the near side OF the house were
down and kept down all day.
The next morning no signs of the
valentine next door appeared. 1t had
been removed in the night. Bates had
believed that this would be the case
At any rate. he removed his reply. and
on the 18th of February not sign of
either message was to be seen.
Helen FarnSw!rth the morning hr
fore; st. Valentines day had noticed
the parts of letters that had appeared
III the bed under her window. but had
failed to make them out The next
morning. however. she not only read
them plainly but read the reply. She
judged NJ oucp that Bob was the per
petrntor and accused him. He admit
ted the impeachment with shouts Of
merriment. which were turned to moan
ings on being shut up by his mother
in n dark room No notice was taken
Of the valentine during the day. but a.
soon az night fell Helen went out with
hoe and destroyed 1t.
The FarnswOrth family were much
dlsgruntled at Bob's performan noes. and
Helen was at first troubled lest the
handsome invalid. supposing that she
had planted the valentine. should con-
slider her bold In the extreme. But
how had he been enabled to grow the
reply In such short order? There was
hut one eXplanatiOn-he must have
seen the planting Of the seed Bob ad.
United that be had done the work in
daylight. wrich settled the matter.
The oblonuy having been removed.
Helen gradually came to attach less
day while standing before her mirror
dressing her hair she saw the frown
on her face disappear before q smile.
Then she laughed She was shocked at
herself for laughing at such an out.
rageOus proceeding. but. after all. II
was rather funny. Besides. the hand
some invalid had been no gallant a. to
make favorable response.
One morning when Mr.. Bates was
feeling quite recovered he walked out
into the yard Miss Farnsworth came
out and walked In her yard. Presently
she tripped up TO the hedge separating
the two places. Mr. Bates advanced
toward her. removing his hat a. he
did so.
II owe you an explanation" said tn"
girl. for the joke my brother perp'
trated. He planted those dowers
that
81 saw him do It.
"Then you understands
'Of course ! do But permit me to
say that il your brother planted the
valentine ! planted the reply"
Miss Farnsworth blushed and drop
ped her eyes.
IL should have made an effort to
make your acquaintance" added Bates.
but have been something Of an in
valid. have seen you playing tennis
and regretted that could not play
with you. However. am so much
better now that feel quite able to
swing racket
II shall be happy to have you play
with me"
"WhenT'
"Any time
81 think I would like a game now"
When these two young persons be-
gan to dwell next door to each other
they did not for moment suspect
what fate had in store for them-that
II was the eventful period Of their
iives-for when they left Florida they