The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-07

stalked into the house with the bag to
Immediately return and run down the
steps to his car. In a second he had
cranked the machine and was gliding
around the drive to the garage.
This Peter person must be a privi-
legged character" thought Cicely as she
freshed her toilet for dinner, Thomas
not having appeared with the trunks
She had noted rather amused twin
kle In Aunt Agathas eyes even while
she chided the chauffeur. But auntie
Is not so lenient with the other serv-
ants. She was quite stern to Arnold
when he was serving tea. Well, he is
wonderfully good looking, and he looks
more like a man than many Of the In
dolent ninnies have met In the last
year. Mercy! What would father sayT'
she cried in dismay, and without an
other glance at her rosy face she hur-
ried downstairs.
The morning after Ciceiy's arrival
her aunt took her to drive. The two
women, sitting inside the limousine,
were separated from the chauffeur, so
they had very little to say to him,
Aunt Agatha simply giving him In
structions now and then with refer
ence to the route to take. Neverthe-
less these instructions were not given
In the manner one would transmit
them to servant. 1t was Don't you
think the road to Hilton would furnish
good wheelingT or Il think we might
as well turn here" or Slower, please,
Peter; l am not used to such rapid
riding"
The next day Aunt Agatha said to
Cicely:
II have matters on hand that will
prevent my taking you out today. and
l shall have to send you alone Peter
win drive you, and since the limousine
is too large for one l have instructed
him to take the runabout. Peter will
show you all the notable points in the
vicinity, and you may talk with him
freely. You win find him better edu-
Gated than some society young men
whose only accomplishment is dane
ing"
When the runabout was at the door
Aunt Agatha went with Cicely out on
to the porch and said to the chauffeur:
BE careful in your driving. Peter.
wouldn't have anything happen to her
for the world. Her father and mother.
who adore her, have intrusted her to
my care and expect me to send her
back to them as l have received her."
"Tn be careful" was all the response
the man made. Cicely got into the
seat next the wheel, and Peter took the
seat beside her. Then as they chug-
chugged away Cicely turned and wav-
ed her hand to her aunt, on whose
face was very comical expression.
For awhile after starting Cicely said
nothing to the chauffeur, and he, evil
IDENTITY knowing his place, made no re-
mark. But, passing some institution
comprising large buildings in spacious
grounds, she asked him what It was.
That gave him an opportunity, and he
began to point out the different OBJ
5ects Of interest along the road.
1t was not long before the converse
ton became animated. Peter proved
an excellent conversationalist, and
Cicely returned delighted with her ride.
After that she took drive every pleas
ant day and usually with no other
companion than the chauffeur.
Three weeks later Mr.. Blair sorted
the mail at the breakfast table and
picked out letter from Cicely.
Il wonder when she is coming home"
said Mrs. Delmaine. Aunt Agatha
writes that Peter Blair-he's the writ
er, you know-has been paying marked
attention to Cissy, and yet the child
hasn't mentioned his name. She seems
to have spent most Of her time motor
ing around the country. hope that
Aunt Agatha has always accompanied
her"
"Oh, nonsense, Jeanl Stop worrying
and let me read what Cissy says. You
can depend on Cissy Toto Heavens.
Jeanr'
He stared at her over the open sheet,
and his face was very pale.
Daniel! What is it?" she gasped.
He dropped his eyes and read me-
Chemically:
Dear Father and Mother-I am engaged
to the best man In the world. You will
say SO when you see him. He Is Aunt
Agatha's chauffeur now. Forgive me,
dear ones but love him. CISSY.
Several hours later Mr.. Delmaine
still ministered to his hysterical wife
when Aunt Agatha and Cicely were
ushered In. Behind them stalked a tall
young man looking amazingly con-
tented.
Mother" cried Cicely, flying to her
parents. 81 have brought him to see
your
Take your chauffeur away shud.
dered Mrs. Delmaine. and Aunt Ag-
atha stared and then burst into a peal
of merry laughter.
Fudge, Jean Delmainer' she chided,
drawing the bewildered young man to
the front ut is true that Peter Blair
acted as my chauffeur for few weeks
while my man took a vacation, but he
is an excellent and careful driver and
am sure would make a good. kind
husband for Cissy, here. Come. Peter
Blair; come, Cicely, and receive your
parents blessingr
And in the midst Of all the laughter
and tears and the happiness that fol-
lowed Mrs. Delmaine shuddered.
What is ii, mother, dear7" asked
Cicely quickly.
II was thinking that-suppose he
really had been a chauffeur. You
might have fallen in love with him
just the samer'
Cicely's lovely eyes met her father,s