The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-30

How She Was Con-
verified From Her
| Antagonism
By ESTHER vANDEvEER

GIG ga 49, 8IAt8 - kSAS0sA0 Al tnG
Id, both men and women. Those
have an abnormal development of
kind are usually called cranks.
Clara Bedford was one of these.
he was no ism too radical for her.
Of her idiosyncrasies was antag-
M to man. Man had kept woman
er his heel for centuries, making
what she Is, or, rather, what she
for, thank heaven, she is now
Nv day asserting herself.
how about childrenT she was
Id. There must be fathers as we'll
bothers. If women hate men. where
the babies come in?"
iss Bedford had no reply for this.
reasonable persons don't seem to
b a reply to questions that tumble
theories about their heads; their
fdence in what they believe is nor
hit lessened from the want of rea-
They go right on just as If they
an answer and perfectly salts.
ory one.
evertheless, Miss Bedford was a
q human being. Down in the bot
Of her heart she loved an imagi-
\ man and yearned for a child.
owever, acting upon her prejudices,
arranged for her summer to get
" from men. She was wealthy and
ght a tract Of land In New Hamp-
Hfe upon which she built a cottage.
IRE she went with servants and q
companions of her own sex, re.
red that If any man trespassed on
property she would call upon the
to eject him.
he used to get up in the morning
" and take long walks. One morn
on one Of these walks she saw on
border of her domain a tent. What
worse than the tent was a man
liking away from 1t. Miss Bedford
Fted at once for the trespasser, but
ore she reached him he had disap-
red among the trees. Reaching the
/, she pulled back the canvas In
ht and peeped In.
That was her establishment to see
hg on a bed Of boughs a child-a lit
girl about two years old-asleep
E chubby arm was thrown back
bn the pillow-for there was some
hding-the other was under the COW
The fine hair was tumbled, the
eeks were round and rosy, in the
was a dimple. The lips were
tied and showed a few little white
th set In pink gums.
liss Bedford went into the tent and
preached the sleeping child. The
fer at the foot Of the bed was disar-
bged and showed five little toes.
IS Bedford could not resist a temp
Jon to take them in her fingers. The
I'd gave a little kick, opened its eyes
frowned at the trespasser. Then.
brow smoothing, 1t said:
Mamma"
Hiss Bedford bent over the little girl
% put out both arms to her to be
ten up. She lifted the infantile bur.
Of flesh from the rude couch, kiss
1t as she did so, and, pulling Its
thes about it, took a wicker chair
only article In the tent on which tC
and Rugged the baby to her breast
Dtndin," said the little one.
Dindin," repeated Miss Bedford
low am I to get you. dear little child
dinding She looked about hel
d went on, There's nothing here fol
crown person to eat, much less for 6
Id" There were cup and a saucer
q a spoon, but not morsel to eat.
Dindin," repeated the child.
I'd like to know where that horrit
IN is who left you here to starve,
d Miss Bedford.
am here" said a voice, and man
th cup of milk in his hand, threw
Ok the tent flap. Miss Bedford saw
1t he had gone for the baby's break
4 and forgave him.
Where did you get the milkT sh'
led.
From one Of your cows. 1 presum
are the owner Of the COW I MIXED.
That's not enough. You'd better &c
ne more"
The man poured the milk into anoth
cup and without a word went away
bile he was gone Miss Bedford CAV
little girl milk to drink, which, be
warm from the cow, did not nee
be heated. AS she sat holding tn
tie milk to the vermilion lips sh
wondering how the man came I
ng baby on to her property an
d 1t with milk from her cows. Ha
hot been for the innocent little bah
might have upbraided him, thong
wore a sad counteaance. She N
mbered her principles and resolve
give him piece Of her mind as 500
be returned.
Sut by this time the child had dram
milk and was ready for more.
Is there not morsel Of bread In II
IT." asked Miss Bedford.
Not crust" replied the man sadl!
Go to my house and tell the cook !
You some Of the cereal she is pr
ring for breakfast and such othe
ID as she can find that will do for
by's food"
You are very kind. / am surprises
was told that you would permit 2
spassing on your property, so ! d
camp on It. 1 am Just beyond yor