The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-20

In the wonder OF 3 swift realization.
He had not been bored
A week later rambling near the
clearing he caught glimpse OF Grim
son through the trees. He had volun-
teered to keep an eye on the heather.
He did at once-until the sudden au-
tumn darkness forced him to see My
sic home
At their third meeting, for variety.
he guided her by old logging roads
strange to her. The charm Of the odd
companionship laid an unsupported
spell upon them both. Through win
ter SHOWS and February thaws they
found excuse for meeting UNI
der the open sky, oftenest In the
woods. where John Bowditch's knowl-
edge opened a new world for, the girl.
He taught her the use Of snowshoes;
and on them they followed together
the tracks Of the tiny. shy wood hab-
itants.
Before spring winds blew they were
tried friends-"chums," Mysie secret
ly phrased 1t with occasional wonder.
AS for John. he hardly realized My
sizes girlhood in his delight In her
sympathetic company.
One day when they had been roam
ing the woods for great punches Of
violets. he had found his comrade un-
usually quiet. AS they reached the
clearing. they stopped a moment By
the faithful patch Of heather which
had braved the winter storms.
1T lie hard to realize" Mysie said.
with a catch in her voice. that I'm
not to see It blooming"
why noti" John demanded sharp
ly.
They say now l must go home in
June. MY sister is to be married.
They need me-
Mysie's lips trembled. She hardly
dared glance at the kind, studious,
familiar face. She anticipated its
look of pain. The look was there
and with 1t the amaxement Of a man
who leaps to sudden understanding
Of himself
"Mysie," his voice rang deep. In
tense. 81 need you more. That is
/ mean-no, l mean just thatl / can
not let you gol"
Mysie dropped her violets in q sud
den gesture oil dismay--yet on the
instant felt that this all was strangely
right. John Bowditch went on with
| an excitement new to him.
I've known we were good friends
l didn't know how much more. You
Scotch girl, you've grown as deep into
my life as that heather into the soill
II you are torn out 1t will leave q
great, empty place. But"
| He looked at her and paused. Per
haps he really saw her fresh, girlish
beauty for the first time. A shadow
settled on his face; he went on in Q
different tone.
| I'm talking foolishly. I'm twice
| your age. My home is here, miles
enough from your dear Scotland. II
was selhshness. Please forget 1t all.
But Mysie was reaching out botf
hands to him across the heather.
"oh, John, John! Cant you see that
I'm transplanted for good? II yot
root me up. may wither-diel
didn't want to go back--only hadn'
any excuse to stay"
AS they walked home through tn,
rich May sunlight, stirred by tn,
pulse OF new life around and within
them, John stopped short
"Mysie," he said earnestly. its M
use. You mustn't love me. I'm |
fraud, a."
She faced him, suddenly white.
you didn't suspect" he went OF
doggedly. You we're too truthful Il
dream l could cheat planted tina
heather-an experiment. That's VIII,
told you to keep It secret. I'm
ashamed, sorry. But how could l fore
see all this?"
Then In wonder at the radian
laughter Of her eyes: Dearest, hov
could dream IT would lead me Il
your"
She smiled with loving mocker!
and leaned tantalizingly toward him
us that why you're so sorry for II
John?" she asked.