The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-29

coming out to work instead of play"
| growled Robert
Il suppose he thought wanted to
help all | could-he is very good,
Robert, but I'm afraid must be very
wicked. for | don't really want to ad
dress strangers on such a personal
topic"
In the distance Robert Leonard
:, saw his houses against the dark back
| ground of the forest, from which his
laborers were bringing out a fortune
in dye-woods. Close at hand was a
patch of sugar cane growing along
side the road and standing among
the green canes was a man with
curved knife in his hand, cutting
down succulent stalks.
A white straw hat was pushed back
on his handsome head, revealing a
mop of thick dark hair he had a
brown skin, flashing black eyes and
strong brown throat where his
white shirt was open at the collar
May pulled her horse to a stand
still and looked back at her brother.
who was tagging behind. Bobby,
believe I'll begin with him!" she said,
pointing toward the man, who, appar-
emily unconscious of their approach,
was swinging away at the sugar cane,
whistling as he worked.
Fire ahead" said Bobby, sitting
a laugh. TN wait in the shade Of
this tree. But why not confine your
self to converting the women and
children and let the men alone?"
She rode close beside him and ex-
planned 81 told Mr.. Nash how repug-
that was all the more reason l should
do 1t; must sacrifice my feelings to
the principle of the thing"
well, go on" said Bobby resign
eddy, although a wicked light shone
In his eyes. He did not like Mr.. Nash
and he did love his pretty sister.
The man in the cane field did not
look up until Mays white linen gown
flashed in the sunlight. Then he
gaZed at her, startled, and whipped
off his hat; surprise seemed to seal
his lips, for she was bonny sight on
that wonderful morning and he look
ed at her from the crown Of her
white hat to the tip of her tan riding
boot, and drew long breath.
May leaned from the saddle and
took courage my good man." she
began softly. ARE you a Christian?"
. A startled look leaped to the man s
eyes and then he said ever so gently
cl1 dov
, Il am so glad cried May with re-
: lief. 81 hope you will pardon my ask
ing you-only promised my pastor
} out home that would do all l could
: to convert the-the-er-er-" she
, paused in confusion.
"Heathen?" he smiled up at her.
We'll. if one is going to sift the
wheat from the chaff it must all be
winnowed. Pray don't distress your
self, madam, | have often been ad-
dressed by missionaries"
That's such a relief" sighed May.
"Good-by."
"Good-by," he said, and when she
turned her horse once more into the
road he bent over his work and re-
might have felt afterward
1T wasn't so awfully hard, Bobby
she assured her brother as they rode
on. IF all of them were as courteous
as that man. Why, dear, is this
your place. as he got down and
opened a wide gate
This is Woodland-welcome to my
home, honey" smiled Robert as they
cantered up to the wide veranda Of
the bungalow
Where is Mr.. Scoville, your part
ner?" went on May, as she stood il
the sunlight.
Here he comes now" said Rober
in a stifed tone.
"Where?"
Through the same gate that W,
entered-he's been taking his morn
ing exercise in the eanefield." Thel
Bobby Leonard did not dare look a
:. his sister.
" You knew who he was all tn
n. time, Bob Leonardo" she demande
cd with rose-red cheeks and fiashin
"a. eyes.
er Yes, dear-you had to have you
lesson, May, and it better be with
cd gentleman like Scoville than some in
ALI pertinent stranger who can talk bac
at you in some language you do ne
Il, understand" apologized and explaine
no Robert
m Arthur Scoville came up to tn
NJ, veranda and was presented to Ma
, Leonard Not once by look or sig
20 did he give evidence that he had see
zoe her before, and his tact in passir
over this embarrassing period ws
the beginning of May Leonard's ia
~ ing in love with him.
Of They did fall in love with ca,
IN other, those two, and II was on
their promise to stand by Robert al
, >. the dye-wood industry until its su
cessful termination that prevent,
rad that clever young American fro
are weeping audibly.
tor,
Tort0ise Shall