The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-24

TO that young man down In Texas.
But she was a good fellow-much
too good to spoil sport Elizabeth
meant it all for no more than sport
until. all at once. with no word OF
warning, Billy came to Old Town.
Couldn't help it-with home so hot,
and all the things You told OF going
on up here he explained Hay rides
and boat rides. and auto rides and
everything. Gee. felt | must get
into the game"
You'll have no trouble whatever.
honey" Sara said. coming up behind
| Billy and Elizabeth. I'm nobody but
Sara" she went on Let me recon-
mend myself. though, as the latest
improved variety of gooseberry l
can look bless you, my children, In
three languages, and seven ways at
once And you'll need to bless ME
but for my vigilance Elizabeth
would have been run away with long
ago"
/ I'D say it-even without that,
Billy answered CALAMITY, holding both
Sara's hands and looking down into
her eyes. They were blue eyes. but
snappy for all that They returned
his gaze steadily until Sara felt moved
to say:
You don't look TeXas-not the least
bit-but. then. neither does Eliza
beth"
do not forgive us! Nobody can
quite look Texas-it's the finest state
anywhere" Billy answered. loyalty
But We do the best We can"
A week showed that Billy could,
and did, fit in beautifully. Craig. even.
could not resist him after the first
two hours Billy had way with him.
as insinuating as his gentle, slurring
drawl; moreover, he was gallant. also
a beautiful spender, and plentifully
supplied with wherewithal to spend.
His spending was without ostentation,
yet he managed somehow to pay al
ways little more than his share,
Craig swore at him inwardly over the
fact Aloud it was quite impossible.
Elizabeth eXulted in Billy-as a
corlrade though, not possession,
She had been too happy to think be
yOnd the moment-she was happy
still, but with underneath a sense of
disquict Something surprised now
and chen, in Craigs eyes, some in
Election of his voice when he was OIL
guard, formed the roots of the dis
quiet Dimly she understood what
she had come to mean to him las
dimly she felt that he ought to know
the truth yet she would rather die
than tell him
Thus uneasy and perpeXcd, she
turned instinctivcly TO the thought
of Sara Perhaps. If Sara tried, she
could make Craig forget Elizabetl
had a faith simply boundless in hel
cousin A level head had Sara witt
her to will was to do. Elizabeth hopet
she might will to captivate Craig
it were put upon the ground of cousin
| ly SuccOr
When woman disposes man some
l times proposes. At the end of fort
night Rilly's mind was made up. liz
chuckled a bit over the final makinI
home to get married-all of us-onl
thing to do-it'll paciiy the judge AM
Marse Willyum."
Marse Willyum was his father, tn
Judge, Elizabeth's. After his disre
spectful comment upon them. Bill
strolled over to the Rowland place
smiling his most innocent smile.
He found things taking place ther
things unusual In the wide dir
parlor rarely opened, Craig had set u
e n picture nearly complete, the Spirl
n of Dawn Elizabeth to the life, bu
e. Elizabeth transfigurcd by love an
$, the morning Billy looked at the pie
e ture, his eyes dimming the least bi
Z Then he laid a hand on Craig's arm
e. saying: Il must have that.
e, Craig shook his head-he dared nc
I, speak. Billy went on: "fll pay you
It price for it. You cant deny | hav
m the right to It,
Il won't sell It," Craig said curtl
lie Even If 1t were finished. nobod
id could buy it."
If Then give 1t to me-" Billy pc
|! sisted
Is Craig glared at him-l}illy smile
lie infantinely "As wedding presen
n YOU know" he went on. You oughtn
| to grudge II to me and-Sara," stri
ing to that young woman. and sill
Ia ping his arm about her waist
d, meant to say I'd give you the orr
ly inal," he added. But | really reckt
III she isn't mine TO give
10 shut up. And come out on u
a. porch" Sara interrupted, shaking h
as head at Billy Don't you see tho
~ two can't speak until they cat
I'd BREATH"
~ Just as you say. boss" Billy a
IL swered meekly. but chuckling hal
'n Over his shoulder he saw Craig al
lN1i,olotb lorkad tipht In zach al