The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-18
LADY OF THE LAKE
Nv M. M'culLocH-WILLIAMs.

Like the grass, the shrubbery was
unclipped-long trails grew as ma
ture willed from the vines. But
there was no touch of decay or pow
erty in the house proper-gay cushions
upon the piazza, lawn rug spread be-
tween garden chairs, litter OF new
books Doors stood Hospitality wide.
but there was no sign of life-not even
after Withers had knocked with un-
usual vigOr
But presently an old negro peered
cautiously around the corner OF the
house, stared at them hard minute
and then shrilled out in the high
pitched tone of the stone deaf: mo
use yer waitin'. Wont see Miss
M'ria-Susan much fore shutdown
she've turned plumb foolish an
tooken the hull kit an b'ilin' she've
got yere off ter the crick, an the
swimmin hole-with fishpoles an
dinner baskets an sich."
Good! Well follow-being fisher
men of degree" Withers proposed gay
Davis hesitated. Sure we'll be well
Gomez" he asked Il confess the
swimmin' hole tempts-but suppose
we find it-occupied?"
Here the men found her, the lady
Of the lake. AS the car stopped at
the very waters edge they saw her
splashing showers upon the heads
of three small boys, gurgling and
painting in the nearest shallow. Be-
yond, FIVE young girls swan labori-
ously. almost painfully, in ward OF
three strapping lads. A young man
and maiden lounged upon blanket
spread bank, and made brave show
at fishing.
The lady of the lake greeted With
ers cordially and acknowledged Davis
presentation with an easy uncor Germ
that robbed the situation of all awk-
wardness.
81 do wish you could come in" she
declared heartily, waving her hand
toward the enticing water "Of
course you can fish-you might even
wade, or dangle your feet in water.
But don't, please, disturb them
waving toward the pair piscatorial. 1T
would be cruelty to children-besides
what is one nice girl among SO many?"
Come out yourself! Can't we per-
suade you?" Withers entreated.
She laughed softly. saying. 81 will
il you will help me in the closing
game"
Tell us how! We're your &C.
completes" Withers shot back.
She looked at the timorous small
boys, saying rehectively: 81 know
they could swim If they had to-and
they'd have to II they were pitched
II here beside me, heels over head"
Here they come! CATCH" With.
ers shouted. wading out and seizing
the smallest youngster. to swing
lin deity intG thT-"%-:M.mmin. hole"
n went the child-to come up
spluttering, but laughing. within a
yard Of Mrs. Elliot, who drew away,
saying firmly: Nov for 1t Tommy!
SWIM"
Tommy swam-the plunge had
washed away his cowardice. He even
patronized Ned, the next to be tossed.
Billy. who had bulldog jaw. wriggleC
and kicked.
"No-these are not slum children
just tots she picks up and invites here
for a month or a fortnight" Withers
explained. "Schoolboys. too-you see
the big fellows-and girls"
Mighty decent of her-if she is an
accomplished nirt," Davis returned,
his eyes fast upon the deserted cabin
that served as bath house. Almost
as he looked tho small girls swarmed
from one door of it, the lads and
small boys from the other. And right
upon their heels came the lady of the
lake. glowing and happy. tendrils OF
wet hair clinging to her forehead, her
eyes dewy dark, yet lucent. Her
thin blue frock, Quaker-plain, came
modestly high at the throat, but had
sleeves short enough to reveal arms
of admirable taper and softness.
She looked down plaintively at her
small well-shod feet, saying to With.
ers Jimmy. isn't it shame not to
go barefoot this fine hot weather."
why not? No law against it,"
Withers answered bravely.
She shock her head signing re-
signedly: you forget Bridgeway. He
would die Of shame for me-and l
really can't afford to kill my social
conscience"
Bridgeway was the old black man
who had met them at the house. He
was reminder from her fathers
time, and to him "M'ria-Susan"
would always be a child. Indeed, she
started almost guiltily when he ap-
peared upon the opposite creek bank.
making a trumpet of his lean hands
and shouting: "Ye better come to the
house righten erway! Err pesky pile
more men Is thar waitin' ter court
ye."
Shall we 90 boldly and send them
about their business?" Davis asked
wondering at himself for his pre-.
sumption. In response. he got a
beautiful sidelong upward glance and
a very soft: "N-no! l rather like
to-hear what people have to say"
This was the beginning. The end
came two weeks later when Davis,
moro madly in love than ever he had
dreamed he could me. asked her
plumply to marry him-asked it also
as difidently as though he had not
seen the world.
With her kindliest smile, she told
him frankly that she had promised