The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-26

in the wonder of q swift realization
He had not been bored.
A week later rambling near the
clearing he caught glimpse Of GRIM
son through the trees. He had volun-
teered to keep an eye on the heather.
He did at once-until the sudden au-
tumn darkness forced him to see Ny
sic home.
At their third meeting. for variety.
he guided her by old logging roads
strange to her. The charm Of the odd
companionship laid an unsupported
spell upon them both. Through win
ter SHOWS and February thaws they
found excuse for meeting I'M
der the open sky. oftenest in the
woods, where John Bowditch's knowl-
edge opened new world for the girl.
He taught her the use Of snowshoes;
and on them they followed together
the tracks of the tiny. shy wood hab-
itants.
Before spring winds blew they were
tried friends-"chums," Mysie secret
ly phrased it with occasional wonder.
AS for John. he hardly realized My
sizes girlhood In his delight In her
sympathetic company
One day when they had been roam
ing the woods for great punches Of
violets, he had found his comrade un-
usually quiet. AS they reached the
clearing. they stopped a moment by
the faithful patch Of heather which
had braved the winter storms.
1T is hard to realize" Mysie said,
with catch In her voice, that I'm
not to see 1t blooming"
Why not?" John demanded sharp
ly.
They say now must go home in
June. My sister is to be married.
They need me-"
Mysie's lips trembled. She hardly
dared glance at the kind, studious.
familiar face. She anticipated Its
look of pain. The look was there
and with 1t the amazement of a man
+ who leaps to a sudden understanding
of himself
"Mysie,' his voice rang deep. in
tense. Il need you more That is
| mean-no, mean just that! | can
not let you go!"
Mysie dropped her violets in sud
den gesture OF dismay-yet on the
instant felt that this all was strangely
right John Bowditch went on WIN
an excitement new to him
I've known we were good friends
| didn't know how much more You
Scotch girl, you've grown as Geep into
my life as that heather into the soil!
If you are torn out 1t will leave q
great, empty place. hut"
He looked at her and paused. Per
haps he really saw her fresh. girlisl
beauty for the first time. A shadow
settled on his face; he went on in {
different tone.
I'm talking foolishly. I'm twice
your age. My home Is here. miles
enough from your dear Scotland. 1
was selfishness. Please forget it all
But Mysie was reaching out boil
hands to him across the heather.
"Oh. John. John, Cant you see tina
I'm transplanted for good? II 20,
root me up. may wither-die!
didn't want to go back-only l hadn'
any excuse to stay"
AS they walked home through tn
rich May sunlight, stirred by tn
pulse of new life around and within
them, John stopped short
"Mysie." he said earnestly, its n
use You mustn't love me. I'm
fraud, a"
She faced him. suddenly white.
You didn't suspect" he went Of
doggedly You we're too truthful t
dream ] could cheat. planted tina
heather-an experiment. That's VIII
told you to keep 1t secret In
ashamed, sorry, But how could fore
see all this"
Then In wonder at the radian
laughter of her eyes: Dearest, no,
could | dream 1t would lead me {
you?"
She smiled with loving mocker
and leaned tantalizingly toward hin
! rs that why you're so sorry for Il
John" she asked