The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-07
POSThAsalKED BOSTON
BY ANNETTE DEARING.

kffffTf.ftTffTfT
why, my goodness, Dell. he hasn't
even noticed US since the season
opened" Marion stared down at the
strip of crescent beach perplexed and
frankly indignant. The new life saver
stood as usual, leaning back against
the tall piling near the life line.
Ever since the beach had opened
he had been on duty there, stranger
to all of the regular bathers and SUI
ficiently good looking to arouse curl
osity among the girls.
81 think he's a college boy earning
money for his course. don't your Dell
chewed on some grass speculatively.
His name is Taylor Crosby. found
out that much, anyway. l asked the
girl at the post Office. and he gets a
letter every day postmarked Boston,
and mails one back every day, direct
ed to Miss Pauline Holmes
How perfectly delicious!" Marion
exclaimed.
Fat ones Dell added happily
StlIl ne HUNS oo nc I'M
be really engaged yet. Don't you see
how anxious he looks?"
He surely did Even gloomy.
I'VE might get dad to invite him up
to the cottage. Tell him we've heard
he's a hero, don't you know? I'll coax
dad now"
The major listened to his youngest
non-committingly, and sized up the
life saver at distance.
Seems a decent sort Of fellow,
Marion" he said. I'll ask Captain
Briggs about him II he reports o. X.
you can have him UP when you like"
The report was o. K So Mr.. Cros-
by found himself invited to dinner at
Major Farley's cottage. Not only did
he come up that first night, but after
ward, often. 1t was enough that he
was Crosby of Boston.
Dad" Dell whispered, one night,
perching on the arm Of his chair, Il
think Marion's falling in love, don't
your"
Probably, God bless them both" re-
turned the major genially.
But Marion never forgot the daily
letters coming and going from Bos-
ton Not that she would ask him, but
she wondered.
They had gone down to meet the
afternoon beat one Sunday. Taylor
had been telling her of his home, and
suddenly she saw him stop, alert and
keen-eyed, and stare at somebody get
ting off the boat.
There she is" he said excitedly.
"By Jove, never thought she'd come"
1t was Pauline Holmes. She knew
It, Something seemed to tell her even
before she was aware that Taylor,
brimful of pride and happiness, was
introducing them.
Miss Farley. do want you to meet
Miss Holmes I've been trying for
six weeks to coax her down to the
beach to take the leading part in the
new moving-picture play I'm putting
over The major agrees with me that
she's the finest person | could get to
play Jess. but it took some patience
and perseverance to win her over
Miss Holmes laughed as she clasped
Marion's hand in hers.
I'm afraid | haven't Mr.. Crosby's
endurance You know he wrote me
that he'd actually been a life saver
here all summer just to get next to
the detail and actual facts. think
no.
knew where he bad run away to.
think I'll go straight on up to my ho-
tel If YOU don't mind There's so
much to be done tomorrow.
After she had gone, Ia: Tor strolled
along beside Marion down the walk
to the deserted bathing beach. He
talked fast enough now. She heard
all about his aims and plans.
Il knew you wouldn't mind if had
we'll not told you all about my
self And I can swim quite decently,
you know. It wasn't putting anything
over that was wrong | hope you
don't mind.
Marion looked out over the old har.
Dor E the fishing fleet Just coming
leisurely in, the I'D weather stained
sails outlined against the amber and
jade-colored sky
81 don't mind" she said. She's
very lovely
do you know" he exclaimed sud.
denly, 81 used almost to wish that
you'd break down some day when you
were out yonder swimming so that I
could save vou?"
She did not answer
Marion. do YOU hear me? Didn't
you ever wish anything at all?"
Somehow his arm was around her
waist. and Marion forgot to look back
over her shoulder to be sure that Dell
was out of sight II was wonderfully
quiet down there along the beach, with
just the gulls flying low and a reed
bird calling now and then over the
sandhills in the marshes.
Nothing she said softly. hanging
her head, only that YOU wouldn get
so many letters postmarl;ed Boston"
Copyright. 1916. bv the Mcclure Newspa-
per Svndicatel
What Could He Do?