The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-15

aunt liver" asked Warner thought
fully.
At Wadham. She's = distressing
y over-particular person, hear. and
llkes no fun or frolic, and all that.
Foor Hazel, she's the life of the place"
Inn" said Warner refectively.
surred UP more than he coald ever
nave dreamed over a memory of
bright eyes and bewitching face he
repaired to his hotel at the village.
de thrilled every time he thought
OF the misstep that might have ended
MIN but for the nerve OF the dainty
sprlte who had come to his rescue.
1t took Warner only a day to find
out all about Hazel Grey. A young
man Of wealth, impetuous and ingen-
uous In his nature. he was soon en-
CURED neck deep in the adventure of
MS Life. He saw the mournful group
Oh girls on the island tearfully aban-
don their camp, bereft OF the soul of
tneir enterprise, their doughty leader.
Then Warner went to Wadham and
hung around"
YES sentence had been passed on
the pretty sinner, and Hazel was in
deed among sackcloth and ashes. The
residence of Aunt Maria well accorded
with her own stern and severe bear
ing. The old house was prim and un-
inviting. the grounds surrounded by a
nigh brick wall. Only twice in two
days, Warner observed. was Hazel al
lowed to walk in the garden. He To-
Gated her room. She slept with the
window open. Thereafter for a week,
getting up at daylight, Warner secured
the daintiest, rarest bouquet money
could buy, scaled the wall and when
Hazel awoke the lovely floral offering
lay on the floor. Then note was en-
closed in a cluster OF lilies OF the
valley and Hazel knew the identity Of
her ardent knight errant.
Love laughs at locksmiths, brick
walls and lynx eyed jailers. Now
Dudley Warner was making Of the
grand passion a business, systematic
and progressive. 1t was delightful
two weeks. Four ecstatic secret in |
terviews in sequestered part of the |
garden brought two harmonious souls |
together, and again Hazel saved" |
Warmers life by not sending him away |
hopeless, he declared!
Dudley Warner was a venturesome |
young man and Hazel confiding and |
determined girl. There was a hurried |
ladder climb over the garden wall one
dark evening, an hours swift dash in
an automobile, return. kisses and |
promises and the next morning War
ner appeared before the dreaded Miss
Maria.
He expected "a big row." as he told
himself apprehensively. The old war
rior of many verbal battle only
stared coldly at him as he began his
set speech:
There's an engagement ring, an
elopement marriage license and q
wedding. Hazel has the ring" he
blurted out desperately. What sim
ners sentence are you going to award
me, Miss Tresham%
And then to his amazement the
shrewd spinster smiled-he fancied
she chuckled. She never flinched, she
never betrayed an emotion except sat
isfaction supreme.
Il admire you unutterably," she said
incisively. Il have been studying you
at a distance for two weeks. You rise
early, that shows no laggard. You
scale walls, evidencing activity. You
are model young man, have taken
pains to learn so-therefore, why not?
have watched your every novel,
the lynx eyed-ah! You are better
guardian for Hazel than l."
you CONSENT" cried the astounded
Warner
Don't interrupt me-" commanded
Miss Maria-"as / said, take Hazel
with my blessing"
you angel" raved the enraptured
Dudley Warner.