The Lakeland evening telegram., 1916-07-11

that l had ought to add some price
less gift. Your generosity has placed
US beyond want. for l have a steady
regular contract for two years ahead"
II am glad" spoke Guy. but with the
apathy that was growing on him late
ly. His visitor noted this.
"Will you excuse me. Mr.. Davis"
he said, with humility and anxiety
combined, "but you're-you're not
looking well. And sir-you see-well.
sir. by sheer accident. In hunting you
up here. heard about your love trou-
BILE. Oh. sir. don't think me intrusive.
but would do anything to help you!"
Il fear you cannot do that" mur-
INJURED Guy.
Sir" pronounced the circus clown
confidently. If things are AZ under
stand. the young lady is ready TO fiy
to you II she can only get free. am
sure that l can solve the problem Of
all your troubles"
Somehow the sincere words, the
earnest manner Of the speaker I'M
pressed Guy.
sir" proceeded the clown. ~ you
could get the young lady to the cir
Gus, II you could get her to accept
my invitation during the usual per
formance in my act OF the fioral
chariot. the rest is done. Listen. sir"
and the speaker lowered his tones
and poured his plans into the ears OF
the interested Guy.
II was just after this conference, q
new light Of hope in his eyes, that Guy
sought out the brother of Tessie. He
handed him a note. which he felt
sure the sympathetic young fellow
would faithfully deliver. Its contents
made Tessie aware of the details OF
q daring plot. She did not shrink
from accepting the part in 1t her lover
had suggested. The next day the
clown made it point to casually OBJ
serve Tessie in the Delevan grounds
so he would be sure to know her
again.
So delighted were the parents Of
Tessie when she showed some token oi
interest in an outside affair by being
taken to the circus, that they insisted
on accompanying her and the chspe
ron.
The act OF the clown came on about
o'clock in the evening. In 1t, arrayet
as a cavalier with a mandolin, he en-
tered the ring driving small chario
that was perfectly covered with flow
ers. He halted the beautiful traine'
horses near to the row of seats wher'
Tessie was.
There are SO many lovely ladie
here" spoke Marco to the audience
that I cannot select. Yet one mus
be the floral queen. Fair miss" b
added, extending his hand to Tessit
"will you honor the occasion?"
The chaperon put out her hand :
detain Tessie, shocked at the imprt
i.priety OF the scene. as she souri,
put 1t.
L Mr.. Delevan, however. shallow
purse-proud and superficial. felt ratl
er pleased than otherwise that hi
II daughter should be selected out {
an audience of several hundred
grace the occasion.
| Blushing divinely, Tessie was ie
| to the floral chariot.
III The act was really a pretty on
u The cavalier mounted the horse, pla
n ing his mandolin and singing tend'
n love song to Tessie. He knelt, /
clasped his hands, swinging the ma
dolin behind him, all the time retail
i ing a marvellous balance on the bat
a of the horse. Then, amid loud pla
dts, horse, chariot, Tessie, and all di
IN appeared in a fash beyond the dres
ing-room curtain.
| why doesn't Tessie return?" som
what anxiously spoke Mr.. Deleva
Ave minutes later.
She never returned as Tessie Del
O. van. She was whirling along count
roads in a swift automobile, her lovel
arm about her. At the first village
a. clergyman was awaiting them. The
!" arrangements worked out without
d. Jar and the happy honeymoon begs