The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-12

30 the ponies were turned into the
shady road that led down to the shore.
where q strange formation Of rocks
was called the Giants Cradle.
The wind was blowing freshly. and
Q million little waves danced In the
afternoon sunshine. White sails deck.
I'd the blue waters Of the sound. and
the snowy beaches were the whittier be-
cause of the dark background Of wind
blown cedars.
''SncIls goodr' shifted Cherry. Gle
vatin- her sancy little nose,
"T.ike the sea. Come. Cherry. let's
race up to the cradle"
Polly tied the ponies to . Tree trunk
and followed slowly In the wake Of the
two children. who had started to mount
the r0cky pile.
Coming up. Miss NorthamT' shout
ed Alex from . safe perch.
Eyes. dears: wait for me"
But the twins were impatient. and
when Polly reached the top she found
them staring open mouthed down into
the deep depression Of the cradle.
Polly sat down and caught her
breath.
1.-THE giants herew whispered Cherry
In an awestruck voice.
"Fast asleepr' added Alex. staring
, down curi0usly.
Polly smiled. The twins were imag
NATIVE mites
"Please come, Miss Northam. dear;
he's waking up"
Folly humored them, AZ usual. When
she bent her flower like face. with its
dark blue felt hat. a fitting frame for
her golden hair and blue eyes, she
nearly fell into the cradle. for Of a
truth a veritable giant was asleep In
the stone cradle!
A great brOnzed creature. with
bronze brown hair growing about a
broad forehead. a handsome nose and a
finely chiseled mouth. He was young
and evidently an artist. for a painters
kit pillowed his head He was dressed
in rough gray clothes. and a 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 then
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 a deep. rumbIing bass.
I'm not afraid Of you. giantr' chal
lenged Alex. leaning 40 far over thu
cradle that he lost bis balance and fel
In. with frightened squeal.
j 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 10 Il. dearT' asked Polly.
II want to ride with the giant" Oh
sobbed.
Come. fairy called the stranger
And to Polly's surprise Cherry wrench
ed her hand free and Jew to b
mounted upon the giants other arm.
"Gr.r-r.rr.fe-6.fo-fum! III eat 70
both upr' growied the young ma
playfully AZ he kissed the twins i'm
partially.
Polly united the ponies and turne
the cart about. She knew that Mr.
Glenmore would be much displease
when she found out that the childre
had been permitted this familiarit
with stranger. Mrs. Glenmore wa
very particular. and. although thi
young man looked like gentleman
certainly there was no need Of his tai
ing advantage OF the children's innt
cent friendliness 1t was all very VI
conventional and unpleasant.
Polly frowned on the young mar
and he gave her a startled glance 4
return.
Her fr0wn melted and little smil
softened the sternness Of her Lowell
lips. She had pinned for adventurs
Here 1t was In the shape Of q hand
some young artist. surprised as ha
been the sleeping beauty Of the fair
tales. Why not enjoy Its 1eeting pleas
ure? They would be jogging BAG
through the lonely woods In . fev
minutes. and there would be the du
nursery tea and the long. lonely eves
ing in her own room. or sitting % .
upper balcony. where she might liste
to the distant strains OF music fros
: the rooms below. Mrs. GlenmOre Va
!. giving dance that evening.
"Come. children. We must 80 nov
1t h growing late" urged Polly. Wit
her cheeks very pink under the admi
. ing glance Of the young maA-
mo. no. no.. protested Cherry an
= Alex in q breath. a. he would hav
put them down. Garry u to th
= edge Of the wood. giant"
"If I may" he replied with cue
:, | tioning glance at Polly.
II think Mrs. Glenm0re woald pr
fer that an the guvernees. and MIR
GlenmOre wishes them to drive. II yo
please" stammered Polly awkwardly
"But I love my old giant- whimpe
. ed Cherry. burying her angel count
nance In the neck Ut the straneef.