The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-20

% On tne wheat fields in the North
west where we come from"
She could have bitten her tongue
out at her foolish slip. The young
man looked at her more curiously.
Inen he looked at the daughter again.
raised his hat without replying. and
RUE on up the avenue toward the
mousse They watched him.
ITS my nephew, Arthur" ex.
claimed Mildred Kearney. 1--WE
mustn't let him know"
No mother" said Ruth. But in.
waroiy she was already INDUCING in
the daydreams of youth. She had had
80 little realization of any youth.
ABOUT noon the next day, when they
were intent on their picking, the young
man rode up.
1 want one Of you women to helm
In the hulling ROOM" he said rather
roughly. No. not both Of you. ]
think the younger one will do Proba,
Oily her fingers are nimbler. What ID
your manner" he added.
Ruth, sir"
Ruth whatf" ~. Il
Ruth James," said the mother.
catching her child's imploring glance.
And she watched Ruth walk on be.
SIDE the young squire, who rode at a
slow pace stifiy toward the hulling
shed. But instead of entering he en-
gagged In a long talk with her. Where
did she come from? Did she like the
work? Was she used to it?"
Ruth, who had been afraid of him.
found that he dropped his harshness
OF manner as they stood side by side
and chatted In the sunshine. And,
while she parted his questions she
felt that they were equals, that he was
treating her with the respect a man
owes a woman. And she dared to
dream on.
This work is too hard for you and
your mother" said young Lathrop with
conviction. IF you want employment
we will get you something easier. How
would your mother like to be my
housekeeper? My own has left, and i
am looking for a competent woman.
What you tell me convinces me that
she is qualified"
II shall have to ask her." faltered
the girl. Il must go now"
And, needless Of his circumstances,
she turned and ran back to her
mother. Lathrops eyes followed her
fleeing figure. He was sore1y puzzled
puzzled and pleased. Anyone could
see that.
The mother was afraid that all
would be discovered. She could not
bear the thought of asking charity OF
her nephew. But the work was sorely
needed, and this checked her impulse
to fly and take Ruth with her AS It
happened, nothing more was said
about the housekeeping. Then he be-
gan to engage in little chats with
Ruth. always with Ruth, as the mother
picked near by.
1t was impossible now for the girl
not to see that he admired her. In
fact, Lathrop never pretended to hide
his feelings. The mother watched the
growing intimacy with dismay.
Then the. days came when Ruth
grew less communicative. And at last
or the last day OF the berry picking,
Mildred Kearney, watching the young
couple from distance, saw Lathrop
take Ruth in his arms and kiss her.
And the girl offered no resistance.
IN have to tell him now" she
thought with sinking heart. HE
doesn't dream that 1t is his own flesh
and blood he is dishonoring."
And she went boldly UP to the house.
Squire Lathrop was waiting with Ruth
in front Of the old-fashioned porch.
He had seen her coming. and neither
attempted to evade the interview.
I've something to say to you" said
Mildred Kearney.
Come inside, please" answered La
throp, and led the way into the living
room. It was as 1t had always been
within her memory. The same writing
desk stood in the window, the same
old chair In the corner, under the
bookshelf, where her father had sat.
And all this should have been hers.
Tears flooded her face and streamed
down her cheeks at the thought that
they we're beggars, that her nephew
proposed to take advantage Of q girl
whom he considered miles beneath
him in station.
Il saw you kiss my daughter!" she
flashed out.
"Well?" drawled the young man.
you don't know who she is. You
think because we aren't dressed well,
we are common berry pickers. that
you have a right to insult her."
"Mother!" exclaimed the girl, with
flaming cheeks.
Il tell you she is as well born as
you are. We shall leave tonight.
and"
Hold on, Aunt Mildred" said the
young squire. And, as the woman
stared at him incredulously, he came
quietly toward her, placed his arm
around her. and brazenly kissed her
too.
Haven't l the right to kiss my own
cousin?" he inquired. You see, Aunt
Milly, l knew all about it from the
first. In fact, had a lawyer busy
tracing you, and learned you had come
east few days before recognized
you from your photograph. Then |
wanted to speak right away. but !
knew Aunt Milly had been the proud
est woman In Connecticut, and would
simply have run away, so-so-forgive
me and come home, Aunt Milly."
With that the pride Of years was
broken. The tears that dimmed her
-. ,,sal,o sInouo1flv NJ fha hovou