The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-14
LINDA MAKES PIES
BY CECIL THOMAS.

I
soprano voice. Can she make a
cherry pie. Billy Boy. Billy Boy?"
and so on through several verses in
which were rehearsed the domestic
virtues of Billy's fiancee.
And Linda was making cherry
pies herself. but her blithe song was
not addressed to any especial aud
itor She sang because she was
happy.
Upstairs in the largest front
chamber sat the first boarder of the
season. He was sitting at table
drawn up to the window. and he
was frowning over the pile of papers
before him. He was not bothered
over the work-that was an ever
recurring joy-but it was Lindas fire.
quently. reiterated vocal query that !
irritated him.
For heavens sake. can't fellow |
get away from a racket" he peeved. |
Here l am isolated in Green Center |
because my apartment was made
| hideous with undesirable noises-a
mechanical piano overhead, a phono-
graph on one side and a cornet on
the other-and here the maid Of all
work chirps like a canary all day
long, But her voice isn't half bad
he admitted grudgingly.
Can she make a cherry pie, Billy
Boy?'
Billy wainwright put his head out
of the open window.
Take it from me she can make
cherry pie. Melissa" he called
down at the gingham-clad figure work
ing the pump handle. Ring Off"
He gasped as the sunbonnet dropped
back and a bewitching face was up
turned to his.
MY name is not Melissa" she said
sweetly. who is Melissa"
Billy's face was crimson, but his
chagrin added to his temper.
Il thought it was the cook" he said
snappishly.
isn't that funny" gurgled Linda
Why, I'm the cook"
YOU" he gasped.
She nodded. I'm sorry you don't
like cherry pie" she added dolefully.
, "But-but l do like it," he STAN
mered. TITS my favorite pie-that
and lemon meringue.'
> you like lemon meringue pie. toe?
: I'll remember that-and rice pud
] ding?"
81 loath it,"
v "Prune pie?"
s "Beastly."
t I'm so glad to know what you ike.
Linda smiled wickedly as she went
s into the house with a great pitcher OF
d water.
Funny I never saw her before
s certainly she wasn't around last night
e when came" unused Billy as he
8 went back to his work But the
papers had lost their charm. Linda'i
e charming face interviewed and hi
Il found himself listening for the SOUND
l. Of her voice.
But the Billy song was silent; pres
emily there fiu:ed up through thu
window the rich strains Of q Dirt
song-a mellow. throaty MARBLE tina
II one associated with southern fields AM
Of the call of the mocking bird.
d 81 wonder" gasped Billy, goin
rs inquisitively to the window that ovel
IL looked the side porch where the pun
~ stood.
e He recognized old Mr.. Barnard bt
ie fore the kitchen door with baske
~ Of new laid eggs from the barn.
~ The whistling stopped abruptly.
"a "Whistkug gals and Growing hen
Vi never come to any good ends!
;, laughed the old man through tn
40 screen door.
as "You haven't any Growing hens
- the farm. Uncle Ben" said the gil
Nc merrily, "or you wouldn't be bringin
", in that evidence of their industry"
~. Three dozen and three" counte
at Uncle Ben. now inside the kitchen.
hope you're giving Mr.. wainwright
the eggs he wants."
ee. Certainly. DEAR" Billy heard hi
answer. Isn't 1t odd, Uncle Ben, b
doesn't like cherry or lemon meringr
pie and he adores rice pudding?" ST
laughed gleefully.
RS Billy shook his fist.
of well" yawned Uncle Ben IL mi
mt buildings satisfy him, all right
of there's plenty Of milk and eggs
of the place-but, for goodness SAX
lat keep the pies a-going, Linda. Um-un
IN Do I smell cherry pie?"
he You surely dol" she cried gayl
IT. Hurry up, Uncle Ben, dinners mo
d. ready"
Tor Billy went back to his table frow
es ing.
"a IF there's cherry pie In the plae
9ili I'll have some." he muttered darkiy.
tn Presently came the resonant claI
be of the dinner bell welded by Linda
IRE strong, young arm.
d., Billy. scrubbed and brushed
on, healthy. wholesome perfection, in B
s. gray fiannels, found small roul
a., table set for one in the middle of Z
ide big dining room. 1t was an oasis
me- the midst OF desert waste OF "a
carpeted floor.
II ia very lonely, indeed, to be I
ass first boarder. But Billy admitted
Der himself that he had yearned for &c
ant tude when he chose Green Center
to which to complete his story.
&C Linda waited upon the table,
the mure in white frilled apron, with b
OF bonny brown hair breaking rebellio
gus waves over her ears.
nat It was a well-cooked meal, and
ore was daintily served. Bill enjoy
do every crumb of it until Linda's vol