The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-29
THE i! BULLYING l BoRlAADs
BY BARBARA RHODES.

~ hAHotOu leu DOIiduu uuCIC "
see that young man SO deliberately
throwing away a fortune, but, Of
course, he couldn't see his only
nephew marry into the Farday family
without making a vigorous protest.
The Fardays and the Borlands had
wrangled over boundary lines and
sundry other matters for a decade.
and now that the younger generation
showed a disposition to be friendly
the old mans wrath was stimulated to
frenzy.
Il won't have it," growled Uncle
Feb.
Ted was talking to Mr.. Dodd, the
lawyer. His pleasant, drawing voice
exasperating Uncle Zeb beyond con
troll.
"Ah, Mr.. Dodd!" Ted was saying
Uncle Zeb wants you to come down
to Borlands this afternoon-oh, you
can easily make the 2:02 train. Some
thing about changing his will, be
lieve! l suppose so-thanks-good
by"
Think you're mighty clever to have
him down here, don't your" quavered
Uncle Zeb.
Il thought you wanted him down.
Uncle Zeb," returned Ted with q
straight look from his brown eyes.
Il didn't believe you were such q
fool" grumbled the old man. "How
are you going to support that Farday
girl"
"Lue." corrected Ted quietly. "Why
we thought we'd live on the old place
with Miss Henrietta, and I'm going
to raise chickens. You know I've had
considerable luck experimenting on
the farm here"
The telephone bell jingled from its
corner.
Answer 1t, Ted"
Ted's handsome head inclined to
the instrument.
"Yes?-Oh, you, darling? I'm com
ing over presently. Something impor
tant? Aunt Henrietta ?-Jove. Lue
but that's blow. Good-by, sweet
heart. Don't grieve. 1t will come Out
all right-o."
He hung up the receiver and
crossed the room to look down at thu
little dried-up old man with quizzical
eyes.
Il suppose Henrietta Farday objects
to having anything as practical as q
chicken farm on her estate" sneered
Uncle Feb.
Ted shook his head.
1T isn't that, Uncle Zeb. Miss Hen
rietta objects out and out to my mar
rying Lue-says she'll be hanged II
her niece marries a bullying Borland
So there you are!"
"And your girl won't chance mar
rying on your salary?'
Eyes," said TED proudly; only she
thinks it's her duty to Miss Henrietta
to remain with her. Henrietta Is moi
very well. and there is no other rela
tive"
As soon as he was alone Uncle Zet
peered from the window until he saw
that Ted's figure had disappeared
through the gate. Then the old mar
hobbled across the room to the tele
| phone and called for a local number
The deeply masculine voice Of Mis-,
Henrietta Farday came in answer.
This is Zeb Borland," began Uncle
Zeb, doubtfully.
"Humph! Bullying Borland!" com
mented Aunt Henrietta in her mos
forbidding accents. I've put my foot
down on your nephew's love-making.
Put your foot DOWN."
"Yes-both feet! There won't b.
any bullying Borlands in my family,
declared the old lady.
you can't know Ted very we'll
He's good enough for any girl In AL
mos county-or the world. for tina
matter"
He isn't good enough for my
Luella! l don't know how you car
say he isn't Borland. Why. he's tn,
living image Of what you were, Eel
Borland, forty years ago."
Textbooks like mel did? Pshaw
Henrietta, l never was half as goot
looking as Teddy" Uncle Zeb's voic,
| UoTo plodSeO uOte.
you were better looking" contra
dicted the lady sharply. Il can prove
it by that miniature"
Silence for q moment.
Uncle Zeb smiled into the mouth
piece Of the instrument.
Henrietta Farday-have you KEEP
that picture of me?"
Il keep lots of trash" came in {
stifed tone.
I've got your picture, Henry, but
!, don't call 1t trash.'" said Uncle
Zeb in an oddly gentle tone. you
want to trade pictures with met"
A hush-then:
! you better keep the one you got
and I'll keep mine"
Il should be lonesome without it,
whispered Uncle Feb. I've kept Il
in my pocket so many years. Kenny
I'd miss it. But l suppose you've
kept mine in some trash box-alonl
with other trash"
"Zeb Borland. I'm . liar" blazei
Henrietta with all the fire of heI
youth. I've worn your miniature
next to my heart all these years be
cause it's all there was left of-love!
T, Laugh, II you want to-"