The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-02
THE CALL OF The HILLS
BY lola FORESTER.
1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

Il don't think you'd better see him,
Juliet; I don't think it's either neces-
sary or-or judicious." Mrs. Truxhill
struggled for the adequate expression
as she squeezed her foot into one new
satin slipper. your early acquaint-
ance with any of the boys back home
hardly warrants their coming to see
you now"
Juliet fingered the card in her hand
dinner frock of white satin, made
simply, she looked even younger. Her
brown hair was bound around her
head in soft bands. Her eyes were
dark and full of mischief. Somehow
just the mere sight of Hal Thurbers
name on a card reused mischief in
her.
"Just for a few minutes, mumsie,
while you're dressing" she pleaded.
Don't you see, went to school with
him, and it looks SO little and snob-
bish not to see him now. I'm not
anybody special yet. anyway"
Your life is apart from all that"
Mrs. Truxhill said solemnly. 1T is
I what might call consecrated to art.
I'm sure that is what Doctor Justin
said when he called last week-con-
secrated to art II Runnymede Hills
Is ever put on the map 1t will be be-
cause you lived there once. And no.
body knows what your father and
have sacrificed to bring 1t about"
I'll see him in the little red writ
ing room at the left side of the ele-
vators, DEAR" Juliet leaned over to
kiss her mother, her soft young arms
wrapped closely around the old neck
Sometimes | get awfully sick and
tired of it ALL mumsie, don't you?
know Dad does"
He's fearfully unstable" sighed
her mother. Don't put creases in my
neck, child. No. don't regret any
thing. I'll see you through 1t. Four
years abroad and the victorys won.
French opera In Paris, Italian in
Milan and German right under Mrs
Wagner's nose. guess you'll amount
to something when you get through"
Juliet stepped from the elevator and
into the little red writing room
There were snk curtains at the door.
She let them fell behind her softly
At tie dinner hour this room was de.
serted. she kew. and only Halls flg-
ure showed at the end as he stood
looking down o, Fifth avenue.
She tiptoed L, to him and slipped
her hands over his eyes.
Guess" she whispered, "who Is It?
He pulled them down to his lips
OFF, and wheeled about. She caught
her breath at the fire in the big boys
eyes. the hungry. yearning love of
her in his whole face.
Don't push me away. Juliet" he
begged. "Nobody's here. Oh, it's
so good to see YOU"
And then very unconventional
thing occurred. Right in the little
red writing room the future songbird
from Runnymede Hills. VT, was taken
forcibly in pair of strong arms.
"Scold all you want to-" Hal said,
doggedly. when he had released her.
IT'S been eight months since l saw
you"
did you come way down here spe-
cially to see me?"
Il had to see your father, anyway
You didn't know the governor and I
have been in correspondence for some
| time"
about me?" Indignantly.
mo, 1t wasn't about you. It was
strictly business. I wish you were as
good at taking advice as he is"
"Oh, don't make love to me now
when I want to know things"
Who's making love to your" he
laughed. 81 know 1t isn't time for
that yet-not until you've had your
Hing and sung all you want to. Then,
maybe some day you'll drift back to
the old town and be glad to see me-"
Both hands went out to him eagerly
"But. Hal. I'm terribly glad now
I've been here long enough to find out
that any number Of girls have just as
f; good voices as have. and better. too,
and seeing you makes me-"
Say 1t quick! Here comes the gov.
ernor," said Hal. crushing her hands
In his
Juliet looked up at him just as Mr..
Truxhill came into the room. He
looked flushed and triumphant, and
was waving a telegram.
by George. Hal. boy, we've got
them cornered: we've got them dead
to rights! Well hop home tomor.
row morning."
What is it, Dad?" Juliet pleaded.
Hal won't tell me anything"
Truxhill's arm went around her
shoulders and Halls, too.
Just this. I had sold a half inter.
est in the hotel, and old Beggs up
there, who owned the other half. has
been trying to get me to sell out for
cash to him for months. I suspected
there was something up his sleeve be-
sides his elbow, but Hal here put me
next Hal found out the railroad
planned cutting directly through the
hotel property. taking in the whole
place. Hal here wrote and let me
know. He's got an option on half the
other land in town that the railroad
wants. and I'm going up to swing the
thing with him to win. Lord, Harry.
but 1t will seem good to get out Of