The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-02

~ ACA HWY
Then ne looked at the daughter again,
raised his hat without replying. and
rode on up the avenue toward the
house. They watched him.
ITS my nephew, Arthur" ex-
claimed Mildred Kearney. We
mustn't let him know"
mo, mother" said Ruth. But in
wardly she was already INDUCING in
the daydreams of youth. She had had
30 little realization Of any youth.
About noon the next day. when they
were intent on their picking, the young
man rode up.
Il want one Of you women to help
in the hulling ROOM" he said rather
roughly. No, not both Of you. I
think the younger one will do. Proba-
bly, her fingers are nimbler. What Ia
your manner" he added.
Ruth. sir"
Ruth whatf"
Ruth James," said the mother,
catching her child's imploring glance.
And she watched Ruth walk OF be-
side the young squire. who rode at a
slow pace stifiy toward the hulling
shed. But instead of entering he en-
gagged In long talk with her. Where
did she come from? Did she like the
work. Was she used to it,"
Ruth, who had been afraid Of him,
found that he dropped his harshness
OF manner a. they stood side by side
and cnatted In the sunshine. And,
while she parted his questions she
felt that they were equals, that he was
treaung her with the respect man
owes woman. And she dared to
dream on.
This work is too hard for you and
your mother" said young Lathrop with
conviction. IF you want employment
we VIII get you something easier. How
would your mother Hike to be my
housekeeper? My own has left, and
am looking for a competent woman.
What you tell me cOnvinces me that
she is qualified"
Il shall have to ask her" faltered
the girl. Il must 20 now"
And needless Of his remonstrances,
she turned and ran back to her
mother. Lathrop's eyes followed her
fleeing figure. He was soreIy puzzled
puzzled and pleased. Anyone could
see that.
the mother was afraid that all
would De discovered. She could not
bear the thought of asking charity OF
her nephew. But the work was sorely
needed, and this checked her impulse
to ny and take Ruth with her. As II
happened, nothing more was said
about the housekeeping. Then he be-
gan to engage in little chats with
Ruth, always with Ruth, as the mother
picked near by.
1t was impossible now for the girl
not to see that he admired her. In
fact Lathrop never pretended to hide
his feeiings. The mother watched the
growing intimacy with dismay.
Then the days came when Ruth
grew less communicative. And at last
or the last day OF the berry picking
Mildred kearney, watching the young
couple from a distance, saw Lathror
take Ruth in his arms and kiss her
And the girl offered no resistance.
III have to tell him now" she
thought with a sinking heart. He
doesn't dream that it is his own flesh
and blood he is dishonoring."
Ana she went boldly up to the house
Squire Lathrop was waiting with Ruth
in front OF the old-fashioned porch
He had seen her coming, and neither
attempted to evade the interview.
I've something to say to you," said
Mildred Kearney.
come inside, please" answered La
throp, and led the way into the living
room. II was as 1t had always been
within her memory. The same writing
desk stood in the window, the same
old chair in the corner, under the
booksnelf, where her father had sat
And all this should have been hers
Tears Hooded her face and streamed
down her cheeks at the thought that
they were beggars, that her nephew
proposed to take advantage Of Cir
whom ne considered miles beneath
him in station.
i saw you kiss my daughter!" she
flashed out.
"WeLl?" drswled the young man.
you don't know who she Is. Yor
think because we aren't dressed well
we are common berry pickers, thai
you have a right to insult her."
"Mother!" exclaimed the girl, with
flaming cheeks.
Il tell you she is as well born Al
you are. We shall leave tonight
and"
Hold on, Aunt Mildred" said the
young squire. And, as the woman
; stared at him incredulously, he came
quietly toward her, placed his arm
around her, and brazenly kissed hel
, too.
Haven't l the right to kiss my owl
cousin 7" he inquired. You see, Aunt
Milly, knew all about 1t from the
first. In fact, l had a lawyer busy
tracing you, and learned you had come
> east q few days before recognized
you from your photograph Then
wanted to speak right away, but
knew Aunt Milly had been the proud
est woman in Connecticut, and would
simply have run away, so-so-forgivt
me and come home, Aunt Miily."
With that the pride of years was
l. broken. The tears that dimmed heI
eyes spoke eloquently Of the haver
found at last, after all those years
And those in Ruths eyes told also Of
dreams that might become true.
| (C0UyriRht 1919 ~, w n chairman