The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-27


upon giants and deeds of daring.
So the ponies were turned into the
shady road that led down to the shore.
where strange formation Of rocks
was called the Giants Cradle.
The wind was blowing freshly. and
million little waves danced in the
afternoon sunshine. White sails fleck-
ed the blue waters Of the sound, and
the snowy beaches were the whittier be-
cause Of the dark background Of wind
blown cedars.
Smells gOOd- shifted Cherry. ele-
waiting her saucy little nose.
Like the sea. Come. Cherry. let's
race up to the cradle"
Polly tied the ponies to q tree trunk
and followed slowly in the wake of the
two children. who had started to mount
tho rocky pile.
Coming up. Miss Northamy' shout
ed Alex from safe perch.
Ives. dears: wait for me-"
But the twins were impatient. and
when Polly reached the top she found
the nj staring open mouthed down into
the deep depression of the cradle.
Polly sat down and caught her
breath.
'"rhe giants herer' whispered Cherry
In an awestruck voice.
Fast asleep" added Alex. staring
/ down curiously.
Polly smiled. The twins were imag.
NATIVE mites.
please come. Miss Northam. dear;
he's waking up"
Folly humored them. as usual. When
she bent her flower like face. with it's
dark blue felt hat. fitting frame for
her golden hair and blue eyes, she
nearly fell into the cradle, for of a
truth veritable giant was asleep in
the stone cradle!
A great bronzed creature, with
bronze brown hair growing about a
broad forehead. handsome nose and a
finely chiseled mouth. He was young
and evidently an artist. for painters
kit pillowed his head. He was dressed
in rough gray clothes. and gray felt
hat was tossed to one corner of his
! couch.
While they gazed he moved. yawned
prodigiously. opened one hazel eye al
them. blinked the other one and Their
sat up and stared openly at the three
charming faces gazing down at him
from the rim of the cradle.
Hello. giant!' shouted Alex sud.
denly. and with the words Polly sud
denly awoke to the situation and drew
back with the reluctant Cherry
Hello. imp.' called back the gian,
In deep. rumbling bass.
I'm not afraid of you. giantr' chal
lenged Alex. leaning SO far over tn.
cradle that he lost his balance and Eel
in, with a frightened squeal
The young man caught him quickly
and presently appeared. bearing Ale,
in his strong arms. Alex had one arm
around the strangers neck. and hi.
round cheek was pressed affectionatel,
against the brown hair of the giant.
ALEX. come to me at once" chidet
Polly primly as she stood at the has,
Of the rocks and watched the careful
descent Of Alex and his rescuer.
Cherry whimpered softly.
What is II, dear?" asked Polly.
~ want to ride with the giant" sh'
sobbed.
Come. fairy" called the stranger
And to Polly's surprise Cherry wrench
ed her hand free and few to b,
mounted upon the giants other arm.
Observation-Disclosures I'll eat 70,
both upr' growled the young maj
playfully as he kissed the twins i'm
partially.
Polly united the ponies and turnet
the cart about. She knew that Mrs
Glenmore would be much displeaset
when she found out that the children
had been permitted this familiarit.
with a stranger. Mrs. Glenmore wa
very particular. and. although thil
young man looked like q gentleman
certainly there was no need of his tax
ing advantage of the children's limo
cent friendliness. II was all very IN
conventional and unpleasant.
| Polly frowned on the young man
! and be gave her startled glance II
return.
Her frown melted and a little smile
softened the sternness Of her lovely
lips She had pinned for adventure
Here It was in the shape Of hand
some young artist. surprised as had
been the sleeping beauty Of the fairy
y tales. Why not enjoy its 6eeting pleas
ure? They would be jogging bacl
through the lonely woods in a few
minutes. and there would be the dull
nursery tea and the long. lonely even
|. ing in her own room. or sitting on al
upper balcony. where she might lister
to the distant strains Of music from
the rooms below Mrs. Glenmore wa!
giving dance that evening.
Come. children. we must go now
IL is growing late" urged Polly. Will
her cheeks very pink under the admir-
ing glance Of the young man.
NO. no. no" protested Cherry ant
Ala In q hroath "a he would havt