The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-19

manded, land you will have an unob-
structed view"
Madge the willful meekly obeyed,
gazing in awed silence until the "ship
Of the sky" had sailed far into the dis
lance, its throbbing engines sending
back no sound. Then with its disap-
pearance her strange excitement seem
ed to vanish. She turned, half dazed-
~, to look into the eyes of her compan-
ion.
where are weY she asked slowly.
The young man in turn regarded his
surroundings with a puzzled air.
II don't know" he stammered. Then
his dark eyes twinkled. Looks like
somebody's flower garden"
1t was indeed a flower garden
Blooming geraniums bordered the
hedge, and roses clambered riotously
up their trellises.
1--WE are trespassing," the girl said
severely. you should not have
brought me here"
Brought you" the young man ex-
claimed reproachfully. why, you
were so keen on seeing that aerOplane
] Just had to help you along"
Madge studied her escort with inter-
est. He had evidently started out
upon this chase as Unexpectedly as
she, for he was both hatless and coat
less. She put up her hand to smooth
her disheveled locks, flushing with
embarrassment that her sudden inter-
F., est in aeroplanes should have led her
! into this peculiar position.
Never mind" the young man said
kindly. "Give me permission and
will see you safely home The streets
will be filed with the returning crowd
at this time"
| AS Madge fingered irresolutely a
heavy rumbling overhead caused both
to look up in apprehension; then with
out further warning down came a
heavy shower. Great sheets of rain
swept the garden; it blew in their
faces; 1t soaked their rumpled hair;
1t lay In little pools across the drive
way. The man caught her hand, draw
ing her compellingly toward the house
in the background.
"Place seems to have been vacated
for the summer" he said a. they
found shelter beneath q veranda roof,
otherwise you might ask for protec-
ton inside. The best thing under the
circumstances for you to do Ii to wait
here while 90 for an umbrella"
Madge looked up at him Indignantly.
do you think would be AZ selfish
a. thatT' she said. "why, you would
be drenched before you could reach the
gate"
The man smiled.
"Then we both had better stay
where we are fer the present. This
shower cannot last long,"
She flashed glance at him az he
dropped easily into a seat at her side;
then, as their eyes met, her laughter
rippled merrily.
do you know" she said, II think
that in some unaccountable way l
have slipped back to my childhood
days. Surely 1t is an unusual pro-
ceeding for grownup to 60 racing
! about chasing a big balloon with
"a big boy" the man finished laugh
ingly. He bent over her. LET us
keep up the game for awhile" he said
impulsively. Zone is not often priv
ileged to return to the happy hours of
childhood. Now, when l was kid
! we became acquainted by simply ask
ing two questions-'What Is your
name, and where do you liver"
"very WELL" Madge agreed demure-
ly. what is your name little boy, and
where do you live?"
my name," the young man answered
gravely, "is Thomas Westinghouse
Chalmers, generally known as Tommy,
and I live on Beechwood avenue"
The girls eyes widened. "Why, so
do II" she exclaimed
"Your number?" Tommy asked ca
gerly.
1.-TWO hundred forty-four. And
yours?'
1--WE are neighbors-near neighbours"
the young man answered delightedly
Mother and l moved recently into the
house directly across from yours"
"Really?' said Madge "How very
strange that we should meet in this
er-infOrmal manner"
isn't it?" said Thomas WESTINGHOUSE
Chalmers. His eager eyes sought hers.
1T will not be our last meeting If /
can help it." he added fervently.
The sun had removed all trace OF the
shower when he finally stood at the
entrance Of Madge's home bidding her
reluctant goodby. Then as he reach.
ed the gateway he slowly retraced his
steps.
Il have confession to make" he
began diffidently. please pardon a
poor, lonely sinner You see, knew
that you lived in this house all along
Fact Is l spend most of my time Just
looking over here-and-and It was nv
overwhelming desire to know you
which prompted me to deliberately fol.
low you this afternoon"
Madge looked up at him, gently &C.
cusing. Then her lips curved into an
inscrutable little smile 81 knew that
you followed me-" she replied. 81
hoped you would when started"