The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-15


| what do you want herer demanded
Donald Brown.
II came to call upon Miss Linda"
"Linda--poohi She isn't here, sirr'
Then I came to complain about the
chickens. Aunt Amelia's garden is
ruined"
"Humphr' snorted Mr.. Brown.
Being unmarried. it's rather hard
on Aunt Amelia" went on the young
man gently. IF she bad husband to
protect her rights
Her own faultr' put In Mr. Brown
grufiy.
Toms eyes danced Hol There was
an old romance here after all.
"She may have been hasty," agreed
Tom.
"You mean she regrets-er-that she
remained single?" demanded the other
eagerly.
"Oh, no. mean she regrets that she
has had to speak to you about the
chickens" explained Tom
"Oh.'
What a world of disappointment was
expressed in the ejaculation! Tom
WINGED and discovered that he was
actually feeling sorry for Donald
Brown and Aunt Amelia. "Why hadn't
they ever married?" he wondered. To
gether they would make a spirited
pair; apart they nagged at each other
Both unhappy and don't know the rea
son why" he decided wisely.
"You know, a woman won't admit
she hasn't made a happy choice when
she decides to remain a spinster," ex-
planned Tom.
"Ah" Mr.. Brown shifted little and
wiped his eyes with a spotless hand
kerchief.
"Stin, it's never too late for a wom-
an to change her mind on any subject"
went ON Tom.
You might put it up to Amelia,
then," said Donald Brown grimly. IF
she'll change her mind I'll change
mine"
"You mean it,"
Certainly"
Put 1t there, Uncle Donw yelled
Tom, pumping Mr.. Browns hand up
and down.
please don't be quite so impetuous.
young man." said Mr.. Brown. "My
niece hasn't exhibited any signs Of in
terest In you-yet."
Linda? Oh, she'll wait" said Tom
airily, for his mind was filed with
visions Of restoring Aunt Amelia to the
arms of Donald Brown. OF course
there had been an old romance, and
this couple, soured by time and loneli.
ness, only waited a diplomatic hand to
join theirs in betrothal.
Linda and I'll be the bridesmaid
and best man." thought Tom as he re-
treated toward the wall.
80 you're going to put the question
to AmeliaY asked Donald.
IF you say so?'
"Of course. Tell her I'm sorry it
happened and that I'll take all the re-
sponsibility. I'm killing off my chick
ems anyway. Only got dozen left.
and they're nailed up tight as can be
in the poultry yard"
I'll tell her." promised Tom as he
vanished over the wall.
Amelia Peddiford was sitting In her
rose arbor knitting a shawl.
"Aunt Amelia" said Tom impress
sively, I've talked with Mr.. Brown,
and he-er-says-er- If you'll for
get and FORGIVE, why, he will take all
the responsibility and blame for the
trouble"
Aunt Amelia stared. "Of course he
was to blame" she said mildly. HE
never should have kept chickens any
way. They ate up his own flowers
and vegetables and
And he wants to marry you, Aunt
Amelia" Tom confessed this hurried
ly. He wanted the interview over.
Had not Linda Brown just flashed past
the house In her uncle's runabout?
Donald-Brown-wan to marry
-me?" shrieked Aunt Amelia wrath.
fully. The old bigamistv'
"Bigamist?" gasped Tom.
"Of course! Didn't you know he
was married? Married my old school
friend, Lizzie Blake. Poor Lizzie's
weak minded and been In the asylum
for a dozen years. Marry me?"
Perhaps he didn't mean that" ad-
mitted the wretched youth. Let me
tell you what he said. and you may
understand"
So painstakingly word for word he
repeated what had been said between
the two men on the other side Of the
wall. and when he had finished Aunt
Amelia was laughing mirthfully, and
Donald Brown, who had slipped into
the yard and also heard, laughed SYM
pathetically.
II proposed to Miss Amelia to re
move the brick wall at my own ex.
pense," explained Mr.. Brown. "and
was asking you to assure her that
was ready to keep my promise; also
that was eating up my chickens as
fast as possible. and there would be no
further annoyance from that source.
And, Amelia, IL you can wait until the
other twelve chickens are disposed
Of
Save them, Donald" interposed
Aunt Amelia. you may need them
for L!nda's wedding feast"