The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-27

her lips comically over CraiGs evi-
dent enthrallment-and once said,
| shutting one eye: IF there was q
! wireless station handy I'd sent q Hash
to that young man down in Texas.
But she was a good fellow-much
too good to spoil sport Elizabeth
meant 1t all for no more than sport
| until. all at once. with no word OF
warning, Billy came to Old Town.
Couldn't help it-with home SO hot.
and all the things you told Of going
on up here" he explained. Hay rides
and boat rides. and auto rides and
everything. Gee! I felt must get
into the game"
You'll have no trouble whatever,
honey" Sara said. coming up behind
Billy and Elizabeth. I'm nobody but
Sara" she went on. Let me recon-
mend myself. though. as the latest
improved variety of gooseberry.
can look bless you, my children. IN
three languages. and seven ways at
once. And you'll need to bless me
but for my vigilance Elizabeth
would have been run away with long
ago."
"rd say it-even without that"
Billy answered CALAMITY, holding both
Sara's hands and looking down into
her eyes. They we're blue eyes. but
snappy for all that. They returned
his gaze steadily until Sara felt moved
to say:
you don't look Texas-not the least
| bit-but. then, neither does Eliza
beth"
do not forgive us! Nobody can
quite look Texas-it's the finest state
anywhere" Billy answered. Loyalty.
But we do the best we can"
A week showed that Billy could,
and did. fit in beautifully Craig. even.
could not resist him after the first
two hours Billy had a way with him.
as insinuating as his gentle, slurring
drawl; moreover. he was gallant, also
a beautiful spender. and plentifully
supplied with wherewithal to spend.
His spending was without ostentation.
yet he managed somehow to pay al
ways little more than his share.
Craig swore at him inwardly over the
fact Aloud it was quite impossible.
Elizabeth exulted in Billy-as a
corlrade, though, not possession.
She had been too happy to think be-
yond the moment-she was happy
STILL but with underneath a sense Of
disquiet. Something surprised now
and then. in Craig's eyes, some In
Election of his voice when he was Off
guard, formed the roots of the dis
quiet Dimly she understood what
she had come to mean to him-as
dimly she felt that he ought to know
the truth-yet she would rather die
than tell him.
Thus. uneasy and perplexed. she
turned instinctively to the thought
of Sara Perhaps. If Sara tried, she
could make Craig forget-Elizabeth
had faith simply boundless in her
cousin. A level head had Sara with
her. to will was to do. Elizabeth hoped
she might will to captivate Craig-f
1t were put upon the ground OF cousin
ly succor
When woman disposes man some
times proposes. At the end OF fort
night Billy's mind was made up. He
chuckled a bit over the final making
up. saying to his cigar: We'll go
home to get married-all Of us-only
thing to do-itll pacfy the judge and
Marse Willyum.'
Marse Willyum was his father, the
Judge. Elizabeth's. After his disre-
spectful comment upon them, Billy
strolled over to the Rowland place.
smiling his most innocent smile.
He found things taking place there
things unusual In the wide dim
parlor rarely opened. Craig had set up
picture nearly complete. the Spirit
of Elizabeth to the life, but
Elizabeth TRANSPORTED by love and
the morning Billy looked at the pic
ture. his eyes dimming the least bit.
Then he laid a hand on Craigs arm,
saying: 81 must have that"
Craig shook his head-he dared not
! speak. Billy went on: I'll pay you a
price for 1t. You can't deny have
the right to It,"
81 won't sell It," Craig said CURLY
| Even If it were finished. nobody
could buy It."
Then give 1t to me-" Billy per
} sisted,
Craig glared at him-Bflly smiled
infantinely. LAS wedding present
you know" he went on You oughtnt
to grudge 1t to me and-Sara," strid
ing to that young woman. and slip
&. ping his arm about her waist. 81
7 meant to say I'd give you the orig
] inal," he added. But really reckon
, she isn't mine to give"
e shut up! And come out on the
, porch" Sara interrupted. shaking hel
head at Billy Don't you see thos<
. two can't speak until they catch
, BREATH"
Just as you say, boss" Billy an
q swered meekly, but chuckling hard
Over his shoulder he saw Craig ant
Q Elizabeth locked tight In each 9th
q er's arms.