The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-17
awake ana call for her But she wa

awake ana call for her. But she Wa,
intoxicated with this new sport. ana
was 10th to give 1t up.
At last she started ND the hill after
another GREATNESS slide when she
stopped short
Half way up the slope there stood
white figure. 1t was a few yards to
the left of the icy track and she had
not noticed it before
How strange did not see that
snow man" thought Alicia as she
neared it. Il wonder if l could hit it
with a snowflake"
Alicia could and did hit the white
hgure squarely In the head with
large. Icy ball.
To her surprise and horror the fig
ure moved. and came towards her. ut
tering startled exclamation.
oh" cried Alicia, terrified by the
done?"
Not very much HARM" laughed
pleasant masculine voice. ALLOW me
TO congratulate you on your excellent
aim and the power of your right
arm."
Il don't underestimate thought you
We're snow man. really, did, | am
SO sorry" apologized Alicia as the
snow man paused before her and she
could realize that he was real flesh
and blood. clad in handsome furs OF
Arctic whiteness from head to foot
Pray do not have the slightest
anxiety on my account Really. ! sup
pose do deserve chastisement for my
curiosity in watching your exuberant
1oyousness in coasting down hill all
alone. AS matter of fact have
just returned to Little River after five
years spent in Africa, and this is the
nrst snow I've seen in all that time.
simply couldn't stay indoors and so
hunted out an old sled | had when a
boy and I've been coasting all alone
until you came out Then l stood over
there by the edge of the wood and
watched you. Say. you We're having
the time Of your life," He spoke with
boyish enthusiasm
I've never coasted before" admit
W. EhiiSiit htl WeIl-lTdlueu
quite banished by his frankness
We've always spent the winters in
town. but Aunt Harriet's rheumatism
has"
Aunt Harriet Preble?" interrupted
the snow man eagerly
Yes, said Alicia do you know
herr"
Yes, indeed I'm Dick Maynard
from the house next door to the Pre-
Bile place. Are you the little girl who
used to play with dolls under the
trees and run like a scared rabbit
when Aunt Harriet called you?"
There was tinge of amused tender
ness in his tone for any little girl who
had suffered Miss Preble's up-bring
ing.
I'm Alicia Preble," said she. ignor-
ing his remarks about her aunt Then
she proceeded to tell him all about
her escapade of this evening and how
scandalzed her Aunt Harriet would
be If she only knew-and she might
discover her absence any moment
Might as well be killed for sheep
as lamb. then" remarked Dick May.
nard ITS only $50 now Won't you
come and slide down hill with me
once or twice? You may never have
another chance In your life"
II believe will" agreed Alicia
recklessly
Ten times they flew down the glis-
tening slope laughing and chattering
like children
Then Alicia took her sled and went
home alone. while Dick Maynard
watched her with delighted eyes. IF
the old lady scolds her for this Ill
elope with the darling!" he muttered.
But Aunt Harriet didn't scold. She
didn't know anything about the es-
capade, though she wondered at the
new look Of happiness In Alicia's eyes
I'm afraid she's been reading excit-
ing books" worried Miss Harriet.
Alicia was wonderfully happy be-
cause Dick Maynard was coming to
call upon Miss Harriet Preble that
afternoon. 1t is a matter of history
that Alicia did not coast again until
after she and Dick were married