The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-06

How d. you mean-if I'd picked
you up? Put you down again, OF
course. Your hand mayn't be very
big, but it's good and fat"
The girl looked disappointed. You
you wouldn't even have shaken
mer
Lord, no; I've not shaken any
thing bigger than a bottle OF sauce
for years. Mean to say you'd Ike me
to-"
I'D never speak to you again IL you
did," she declared vehemently. She
hesitated. "Only I should love a man
, who could treat me like that. Not
would-could. I'd hate him II he ever
really did"
I've really got It," cried the young
man triumphantly. II know what's
the matter with you"
''what?" she demanded. flushing.
Imaginative dyspepsia; and It's
Jolly serious thing. let me tell you.
| You've caught 1t from one Of those
library books"
You're not such fool as you look,
Tommie." said the girl thoughtfully.
after q slight pause.
Course I'm not" he said pleasant
ly. there's bound to be limit"
And you think you know lot"
mot a lot" he corrected modestly-
"a Bit"
"But there's one thing you'll never.
never know"
whats one among so many! What
is it,"
you'll never know enough to make
me marry you"
The remainder Of that day the
young man spent in deep thought. 1t
| was not very deep but still 1t was
deep for practically virgin soil.
Passing a sleepless night. he arose
the next morning at an hour that
caused him to shake his watch sew.
eral times before he could credit 1t.
Strollng into the grounds, he sought
| out the head gardener.
Morning. Richards" he said brisk
! ly. whereabouts does the sun rise.
as a rule?"
Richards. q taciturn man. returned
, his greeting with a touch Of the cap
"If so be as you're looking for the
young lady ;"
Young lady! Where"
Miss Templeman think. sir. She's
| gone toward the river"
! Reaching the bank he was just In
time to see the girl, in a punt disap-
pear'rg around bend In the river
To unchain the nearest runt and set
out in pursuit was the work Of an i'm
pulsive moment. AS he drifted slowly
round the curve, he was startled to
! find the girl had disappeared, punt
and all. For one Mortified moment he
thought That opportunity had forgot
ten to give him a call in time-then
he observed the punt drawn up
against a small island. The girl. hav-
ing landed. was busily engaged pluck
Ing wild flowers.
"Now's my chance" he murmured
thoughtfully. "If only jolly well
knew what II was" An idea came 10
him. by Jove!" he chuckled admir-
ingly. "smart-oh. jolly smart"
Padding softly. he drew alongside
the empty punt and carefully removed
the pole and paddle.
"Morning!" he called out, this &C
complished.
The girl turned round in astonish-
ment.
"Hullo!" she cried, you still up?'
"Still up" he echoed. hurt at the
implication. Hang 1t. I've just got
up. Matter Of fact" he went on. with
friendly frankness. 81 couldn't sleep
was trying to make up my mind
whether 1t was better to marry a girl
like you. or girl who likes you.
What's your opinion"
III were you," stated the girl. 81
should think myself lucky to get mar
ried at all-without being married
for your money. mean. Of course"
co." urged the young man. after a
moments onsideration-"O, don't
think you'd marry me for my money"
"Me? I wouldn't marry you for
million pounds. I told you yesterday
| l Wouldn't marry you.
"Of course you did. But then, you
see. that was yesterday. and we were
in the billiard room. Now it's today,
and you're in a punt. and"-he leaned
back in his seat and regarded her
with pleasant smile-"and I've got
your pole and paddle"
| The girl gave a startled cry as she
confirmed this statement. Then with
a hasty movement she stepped into
the boat
you horrible coward" she cried.
II suppose you were going to leave
me on the island"
Without replying the young man
worked his pole until the two punts
were end to end. and then skilfully
punted himself and the girl out into
midstream
YES" he admitted. when he had
accomplished this feat, that was the
weak point Of the scheme. II I'd left
you on the island you could have
hailed passers-by."
you see." said the girl scornfully.
you admit yourself your idea was no
good"
Yes. But now. you see you being
IN the boat, can shove you round
to the back Of the island. Nobody
goes there once in a blue moon"
| With her chin in her hands the girl
stared fixedly at the water.
And you really are going to behave
as you say"
| Yes. You see" he pointed out