The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-03
ACROSS THE BROOK
BY cLARIsSA MAcklE.


"Oh. wait a moment, Mr.. Winters, -
Grace called. Il want to tell you
something's very special friend OF
ours is coming on this afternoons
train. Will you take me to meet him,
please?"
Certainly. "A man, l suppose p
She nodded. "Mr. Carver-you will
like Horace immensely" she said en-.
Enthusiastically.
Il don't suppose you'll have time
to take any more rides In the little
red car" he said glumly.
I'm afraid l won't have much
time" she admitted. you have been
30 kind-and given me so many de-
lightful excursions in the car. shall
always remember the dear little red
car" she smiled.
Long after you've forgotten the
owner?" he asked quizzically, as he
strobe away.
She called after him to tell him that
Horace Carver was coming on the
4:10 train. He nodded grimly and
went on his way.
Grace watched him, a fine, upstand.
ing young man, a successful farmer,
a power in the village, a man with
future ahead Of him, people predicted
IF he were only our Sort" thought
Grace, remembering Horace Carver
and his social prestige. She had often
wondered why her plain, practical
parents criticized the indolent Horace
and his pleasure-seeking life. Only
last night Mr.. Pitt had declared that
the girl who married young Winters
would be mighty lucky.
She amused herself with this
thought and then, finding that it was
not unpleasant to consider, dismissed
it in panic of fear.
Fcrd's little red car was at the door.
But the little red car seemed reluctant
to meet Horace Carver and by the
time Ferd had coaxed it up to the rail-
road station the 4:10 train had come
ed that the solitary arrival had
crossed the road and taken the short
cut through the woods to Mapleshade
farm.
I'VE will overtake him on the wood
road" said Ferd confidently.
The wood road wound through miles
of oak trees. Thunder rumbled omin-
ously. the sun darkened and was hid
den from view and warm drops of rain
battered on the leaves.
I'VE can reach the top Of the hill
and run home across the pasture"
called Ferd above the pattering rain.
What shall we do with the carr"
shivered Grace. She was afraid of
the sharp lightning flashes.
Leave it up at the top Of the hill.
I'll spread a rubber blanket over It,"
poor Horace" sighed Grace. I'm
afraid he will get awfully wet
"He won't mind that" treasured
Ferd carelessly.
Grace wondered II Horace would
mind. She knew he would; he was
very particular about his clothes
She liked to see a man fussy about
clothes, although Ferd wore his we'll
fitting garments with a careless I'M
concern that was vastly becoming.
why am l always comparing these
two men?" she asked herself indig-
nantly. Il expect to marry Horace
some day-oh, is 1t time to leave
the carr" she asked as Ferd stopped
the machine and got out.
Eyes. Let me help you put this
dust coat on. There you are!" He
covered the little car with rubber
blanket. and together they hurried
down the hillside through the driving
rain.
~ When they reached the brook, Hor.
ace Carver stood there hesitating.
"This is certainly long way from
civilization" he muttered, gripping
his suit case and hatbox with drip.
ping fingers.
why didn't you waltz" asked
Grace. I'VE were on the way to
meet you when the car became"
Very balky," finished Ferd crisply.
"And now. Mr.. Carver. we have to
cross the brook to get home-the
sooner we get there the more com.
Portable we shall be-"
"Cross the brook-how?" demanded
Horace. glancing across the fifteen
foot space.
'Wade-or I'll carry you over" pro-
posed Ferd.
You'd better carry NELL get
pretty wet the other way" agreed
Horace, and he permitted Ferd to take
him on his shoulders and convey him
across the stream.
Ferd made another trip with the
suit case and hatbox and then went
back to Grace. looking rosy and moist
with the rain.
Shall carry you over-or will you
wade?" he asked in low tone.
With fluttering heart Grace made
her decision. Garry me, please" she
whispered, knowing that she wanted
to feel his arms about her.
Horace watched them coming. his
eyes narrowed jealousy. How long
the rustic took to wade through the
shallow stream. Once his foot slipped
on a smooth stone and he held Grace
tighter. At last they were ashore,
Ferd's white shoes and trousers drip
ping from the brook.
Reluctantly he released the girl and
she slipped to the ground. But she
still chung To his wet hand mNnr,a