The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-14
ONE MANS HOBBY
BY SUSAN {. cLAeETT.

T Copyright. 1916 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)
1 Elizabeth Yeaton laughed as sh
walked around the beech tree and e1
> amined the markings on its trunk
two hearts pierced by an arrow an,
encircled by the legend, 'Pansies 70
thoughts, rosemary for remembrance.
Were we ever so foolish as that !?
/ she asked herself Then the laugl
I died in sigh as she walked on, push
ing her way through the tangle O
, ragweed that INSTRUCTED her path. Be
low her. Cabin branch rippled with &
soft murmur. Everywhere were mem
, cries and mingling with them a soft
clear whistle, once so familiar 9
sound it occasioned no surprise when
she reached the farm gate to see q
man stretching out a hand to open It.
Il thought you would come" he said
quietly. THE years have made nc
change in you. You are not one day
older. Your eyes are sparkling and
your mouth has the same adorable
kink at the corners that"
He came through the gate and stood
beside her. you received my let
teri"
mo. Did you writer"
Then I owe my good luck to Provi-
dence. asked you to meet me here.
But had hoped for different recep-
ton. Elizabeth, won't you give me a
word of welcome?"
Il have first to forget years OF abb
sence and silence..s she said slowly.
She smiled at him with unconcerned
eyes. What have you been doing all
the years you have forgotten friends
and country"
Working hard. wanted a home.
When needed recreation / cultivat-
ed flowers. You should see my gar.
den."
That would indeed be pleasant.
And your wife?" she asked courte-
ously.
"You are still an adept at fencing,
Elizabeth" he interrupted. Are we
to continue the same old gamer"
Il do not understand. We are too
old to play pussy wants a corner and
hide and seek. Those are the only
games l remember. Perhaps I will
recall others later on" she said.
1T will be pleasant to rummage
among old memories" he laughed
shortly. "but at present am interest
ed in knowing when you received my
wedding cards"
They never reached me. But a
home suggests a wife, doesn't it,"
Not necessarily. The purchase |
was the result Of settled purpose.
May trespass upon your hospital |
ity? For the first time in years can
treat myself to short vacation"
You are most welcome" she re-
piled cordially. "You have been sad
ly missed"
Thank you. Your voice then held
its first note Of friendliness. was
beginning to feel homesick. Eliza
beth, will you let me give you lessons
in gardening during my stay?"
She threw back her head and
laughed heartily. at would be
wasted effort. Plants never thrive
for me, so / leave the borders to
Uncle Pink"
Perhaps you have never tried hard
enough. | want to talk and / am
curious. Are you really as indiffer-
emit about that letter as you would
have me believer"
81 had forgotten It," !.
Then, l presume, since the letter
Is so easily forgotten, memory will
be at fault in regard to several things
have been hoping you would remem-
per-"
Il remembered you" she replied
pleasantly. Ten years is long to
Eeep one in mind, especially
Especially"
When one tries hard to be forgot
en-"
She brushed the litter from her
lress. There was flnality In the
movement that made him stretch out
OBTAINING hand.
Don't go. II Is very pleasant here ]
ven II ! am disappointed In the
warmth of my greeting, and l do so
Vish to tell you OF my garden"
She shook her head even as she
aused. Il am afraid you ride an old
1an's hobby. Come to the house and
ell me In the freight. The air is /.
citing frosty" !
mo. must tell 1t here" He hest
ated barely perceptible instant. ct
a hobby. Dear, you should see my q
eds Of pansies and rosemary"
The color fared into her face. you
ad prepared me for a garden OF or n
bids, but even old-fashioned flowers a,
an be an outlet for surplus energy. a
GU always did throw yourself body h,
nd soul into whatever you undertook W
do p
Why not. Elizabeth? This is Mon ia
ny. must be in my office Thursday II
orning. Important business requires sc
y attention, else | would remain er
ere and begin at the beginning of nj
ings. Ten years is long time, but In
~ have never been absent from my la
oughts I would have written, but be
ere was nothing to say. had moth
g to offer you. The best could do 70
as to work for home for you. It
Is taken me ten years. viii you ac-
pit it? VIII you go back with me mi
ednesday?" M
Her eyes swept the fields. She sa
used so long that the man beside an
n caught his breath and grasped
e rail Of the-gate until his knuckles ne
owed white. Then she turned to tn