The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-13
SHE ARRIVES
BY ERNEsTINE sIssoN.

wings ana LnaL no one III Iue WOFiu
expects anything at all Of one. The
girls had gone motoring. mother and
dad were away and the two maids
were out.
Maggie will leave everything fixed
for your supper" Marjorie had ex-
planned. "We won't be home until
late, and I told her there was no use
coming back to get dinner for Just
you. You'll find the table in the break
fast room all set. Now be a good
boy"
Laurie had played tennis until four.
Then he came home. had shower
and put himself into fresh white linen
clothes. Then he chose a secluded
and threw himself down on the cush-
ions Of the swinging seat And Just
because he had so much time to en-
Joy, to do exactly as he pleased, he
elected. manlike. to fall asleep inn
mediately and waste the best part Of
summer day.
The sun swung around to west and
slowly hid over the edge Of the world,
and still Laurie slept.
A taxicab stopped at the curb. and
a girl with a travelling bag got out.
Helen said directly across from the
library" she soliloquIzed, $50 this
must be the place. wonder II they
got my telegram There was no one
at the station, and 1t must be that
they didn't"
'NOt light It's perfectly evident
they didn't get my word. I'll Just
make myself comfortable until they
come back. It's lucky they left the
door open"
She found switch finally, and a
light flashed on. "That's better. What
a lovely roomi Now for the dining
room. I'm nearly starved, and maybe
l can find some bread and butter"
The dining room produced nothing,
however. but the breakfast room re-
vealed table set daintily for one.
swell, someone's expected that's sure,
and who else. IL not me myselfT" The
girl proceeded to enjoy herself.
Il wonder what my new cousin-in-
law IL ikef I was away when Helen
was married, so I've never seen him.
There comes somebody now, thank
goodness"
A man, coatless, in white flannel
trousers and wrinkled silk shirt, stood
In the doorway staring unwinkingly
at the candles.
BILL" he said, lyon tell Jimmy Dale
he's got to let me see him do II before
I'll believe lido you hearf Why, no
man living can make number six hole
in. three" He rocked unsteadily on
his feet.
"COusin-in-law's drunk" concluded
the girl, scrambling to her feet. But
something In his manner struck the
girl as exceedingly peculiar.
BY this time he was out In the hali
and turning up the stairs. She fol-
lowed, fascinated.
Hes asleep!" she gasped. Good
ness! He'll fall I'd better waken
him. Mr.. HOWELL Cousin-er- Robert
Stopl Wait a minutei
But Laurie proceeded on his way,
She caught his sleeve and pulled gent
ly. cousin Robert! wake upr
Jimmy Dale" Laurie turned his
staring eyes full upon her. She shrank
back. but not In time. Jimmy Dale,
don't touch me. You are liar!" And
he struck out with all his might. It
caught her on the side Of the head,
which fortunately was partly protect
ed by her soft straw hat. She stag
gered an instant, then ran, and in her
flight she picked up her travelling bag
In the hall.
I'm not going to stay alone In that
house with mailman" she gasped.
Laurie wakened with the blow. He
saw remarkably pretty girl give him
one terrified look over her shoulder
and run.
whats her hurry, l wonder?" he
said. Blame 1t, do you suppose I've
been walking In my sleep again? TIL
bet that girl was scared! But who
the deuce can she be and how did she
get heref Gee!" he yawned. "Tm
hungry. I'd better eat my supper"
And just then the girls came in to |
discover, with their hungry brother,
that the unknown visitor had already |
disposed Of his meal.
Il don't care. she was peach ~ de-
Tended Laurie. "She may have nv
dinner any day."
That was all-until a week later.
The moon had grown and was look
Ing benignantly down upon the rose
garden.
: "Biggs-come here, Biggsi" Laurie
had followed the dog that had chased
the cat into the flowers.
"Kitty-here, kitty" called another
voice from the adjoining garden.
Where are you, puss?
Then Laurie recognized her.
"You!" he said 81 began to think
had dreamed you. Why did YOU
run away the other night?"
She evaded the question. 81 must
apologize to you and your sisters. I
came to visit my cousins, the Howells.
md mistook the house. I got into
yours by mistake and ate your sun
Der"
Give me chance to atone for nv
Itrocious conduct, won't your" he
leggeu. "Tll do II If n takasa lieo