The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-27
the PtAcEMAkERs
BY MARTHA M'CUllOCH.
WILLIAMS.

OCCu uClShbOlly. AnotC8u C0CA so
In the other a hated rival-and crowed
accordingly.
TrimDle really should not have mind
ed-his summer cottage and literary
workshop stood across the road, well
back among sheltering trees. 1t had
sunshine wherein he could work at
racing speed. Racing speed 1t would
have to be II his play were finished
in time. To that end he had literally
buried himself in the green wastes of
Middleboro.
Here he knew nobody-even the
tradesmen saw only his servant. Gil.
lis, the most capable fellow alive.
thought Trimble. With slight help
from aslocal scrubwoman, ellis kept
things going beautifully. The first
fortnight Trimble had felicitated him
self unreservedly on his choice of loca-
ton. Almost in the twinkling of an
eye the situation changed.
How incited-who shall say? The
cocks had been near neighbors for
months. yet had been housed more
than half the time. and let out only
for exercise at different hours. Per
haps, also. it was something psychic.
Until their owners fell out over red
and blue ribbons at the spring show.
there had been daily gossipings across
the fence.
Now Miss Alameda Green merely
shifted when Sir Lancelot crowed and
Job Trotter confided regularly to
space that that big brute Of black
rooster" was "worse'n fire alarm"
Nelly, his daughter. gloried wildly in
the raucous contest. Imagine her de-
light when ellis let her know eau
tiously what the babel meant-and
, who was the victim-a man who wrote
plays that actually were played!
Nelly lost her breath for almost q min
, ute-in her widest dreams she had
not dared hope to set eyes upon such
. miracle.
| But she could do nothing.
How long will the play take!"
Nelly asked. ellis shook his head
sadly. Couldn't say. ma'am-with
peace we may finish 1t by Septem.
ber-but II this keeps up-well. we'll
have to hunt new quarters. which will
Sc 1psetting." he added mournfully.
"You mustn't think Of that-you
| shan't," Nelly declared briskly.
That afternoon. while Miss Alameda
mapped and Job Trotter went fishing,
Nelly and Hector Green, Miss Ala.
medals nephew and heir, held q close
and secret council-of peace. not war.
But they said nothing whatever about
1t to their elders and gave Sir Lancelot
and Exeter extra feeds.
Next day was Sunday. and by q
not unusual coincidence Nelly had
such headache she couldn't even
think Of church going. Hector recalled
letters which must 60 out in tomor-
rows mail. So the pair were left at
home while their elders hied them
selves to their respective places Of
worship.
But their piety was i'll rewarded,
for, upon Homecoming, each found the
pride Of his heart stretched limp and
lifeless on the turf. Nelly and Hector
had removed them from their respec-
tive harems and arranged them de.
Gently and in order beside the alley
gate.
There the bereaved ones sorrowed
for a breath, then rose up. wrathfully
declaring simultaneously that 1t was
the work of those envious townspeople
poison. most likely.
Both Hector and Nelly dissented
stoutly. They had been on guard-no
other person had set foot upon the
premises. Clearly both had been
stricken with some mysterious and ia.
tai malady. The part of wisdom was
to bury them instantly and as far
away from their mates as possible.
Without waiting for further argu-
ment. Hector hustled the fallen birds
into feed basket. Nelly snatched up
a light shovel. and together they
marched of in the direction of the
sand fats, with the parting injunction,
Don't wait dinner for US. We will
do good job while we are about it,
They did-walked three miles
chuckling and giggling along the way
what time they were not stilling the
fiutterings and squawkings of their re.
viving victims.
Gee! but was afraid they'd come
to life socn." Hector said. However
did you think of it, Nelly-feedin' 'em
corn soaked in whisky till they went
plumb to sleep?"
"Oh, l saw granny's geese get this
way on cherries-those that were
thrown away when she made fresh
cherry bounce" Nelly explained
"They sobered up all right and so will
these fellows. Dick Marine will take
fine care Of them. know-and maybe
we can see real play when We &c
to the city for our honeymoon"
I'VE wfll-if we have to wall
home" Hector returned heartily. I'VE
never have got beyond movin' pic
tures-but things will be different"
Things were different. Trimble I'm
ished his play in idyllic quietude.
A fortnight later Nelly and Hector
were married without by your leave
from anybody. Trimble dared no,
send gifts openly. but when they wen,