The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-13

awake ana call for her But she was
intoxicated with this new sport, and
was 10th to give it up
AT last she started up the hill after
another GREATNESS slide when she
stopped short
Half way up the slope there stood
a white figure. 1t was a few yards to
the left of the icy track and she had
not noticed it before.
How strange did not see that
snow man." thought Alicia as she
neared it. 81 wonder If | could hit 1t
with snowflake"
Alicia could and did hit the white
figure sQuarely In the head with a
large. icy ball
To her surprise and horror the fig
ure moved. and came towards her. ut
tering a startled exclamation.
obi" cried Alicia. terrified by the
situation. What is it? What have
done?"
Not very much HARM" laughed
pleasant masculine voice. ALLOW me
to congratulate you on your excellent
aim and the power of your right
arm!"
Il don't underestimate thought you
We're a snow man. really. did! | am
so sorry" apologized Alicia as the
snow man paused before her and she
could realize that he was real flesh
and hlODI -, IT,, fur IF
Arctic wilderness from head to foot.
Pray do not have the slightest
anxiety on my account Really. | sup
pose | do deserve chastisement for my
curiosity In watching your eXuberant
joyousness in coasting down hill all
alone. AS matter of fact ! have
just returned to Little River after five
years spent in Africa, and this is the
first snow I've seen in all that time.
simply couldn't stay indoors and so
hunted out an old sled | had when
boy and I've been coasting all alone
there by the edge of the wood and
watched you. Say, you were having
the time of your life!" He spoke with
boyish enthusiasm
I've never coasted before" admit
ted Alicia, her well-trained discretion
quite banished by his frankness.
We've always spent the winters In
town, but Aunt fIarriet's rheumatism
has"
Aunt Harriet Preble?" interrupted
the snow man eagerly.
Yes said Alicia DO you know
herr"
Yes, indeed I'm Dick Maynard
from the house next door to the Pre-
BILE place, Are you the little girl who
used 10 plSy with dolls under the
trees and run like a scared rabbit
when> ktEI Harriet called you?"
There tn Htinge of amused tender
ness 'tal for any little girl who
had suH'' Miss prebles upbring
"I'mAlioa Preble." said she ignor-
ing his remarks about her aunt. Then
she proceeded to tell him all about
her escapade of this evening and how
scandaized her Aunt Harriet would
discover her absence any moment
Might as well be killed for sheep
as a lamb then" remarked Dick May
nard ITS only $3.50 now Won't you
come and slide down hill with me
once or twice? You may never have
another chance in your life"
81 believe | will agreed Alicia
recklessly.
Ten times they flew down the glis-
tening slope. laughing and chattering
like children
Then Alicia took her sled and went
home alone, while Dick Maynard
watched her with delighted eyes IF
the old lady scolds her for this III
elope with the darling," he muttered.
But Aunt Harriet didn't scold She
didn't know anything about the es-
capade, though she wondered at the
new look of happiness in Alicias eyes.
I'm afraid she's been reading eXcit-
ing books" worried Miss Harriet.
Alicia was wonderfully happy be-
cause Dick Maynard was coming to
call upon Miss Harriet Preble that
afternoon 1t is matter of history
that Alicia did not coast again until
after she Gnd Dick were married