The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-21


matter Of good roads played an impor-
tant part. Had the roads been stony
or filed with hollOws my attention
would have been necessarily fixed on
them and my temper would have been
sorely tried Instead the roads were
perfect For miles the dirt roads were
dry and hard packed When We en-
tered upon the turnpikes they were
either covered with the finest stone or
were of asphalt My machine worked
to perfection. On these accounts l was
not only able to give my whole atten-
ton to my fair companion, but my
heart was free to warm to her.
The history that was making for
myself and my companion was in a
way more important to her than to
| myself. But why this was so did not
| learn for long while afterward. Dur.
ing that eventful day l set her down as
| q most demure Scotch lassie in whom
there was no disposition to act for
herself. Indeed. she impressed me as
barely having escaped from the nurs.
cry.
At noontime we came upon a grove
In which stood a cottage, with a sign.
Wildwood inn. There were rude ta-
bles In the grove, and inferred that
luncheon would be obtainable, so turn.
ed my machine into the place. A wO-
man with white cap and apron came
out and l asked her to produce the
best she had in her larder.
That luncheon tastes delicious when,
ever | think Of 1t to the present day.
There was an omelet fit for the gods,
biscuits such as were never made be-
fore north Of Mason and Dixon's line,
SO light that ! almost feared they
would fly up among the branches Of
the trees above us before l could get
them to my mouth. AS for the butter,
l doubt If it had been churned an hour.
A heartier course was spring chicken
served with cucumbers, so that the heat
Of one was nulllhed by the coolness of
the other. while both heat and coolness
were enjoyable. A cup of tea smoothed
BY the richest cream was what we
drank; for dessert great dish Of
stra awberries as large as walnuts. And
all the while l was looking into pam
OF brown eyes opposite me and listen
ing to a musical voice.
One thing more Of a different kind
was needed for our history making. 1t
was not important except In a small
way; there was nothing heroic, scenic,
lurtd, romantic about 1t. Indeed, It was |
very commonplace. A punctured tire.
Nothing more, nothing less. Who
would suppose that so unromantic a !
happening should have been the cap |
stone Of incidents shaping the lives of ,
two human beings? Nevertheless It
was.
Never before had driven without
an extra tire. would not have been
without one this time had there not
been delay in filling an order. l had
expected one to be delivered to me
that morning. 1t had not arrived, ana
l was obliged to set out without it.
Thank heaven that 1t was not forth.
coming.
mad barely started from the Wild
wood Inn when one Of my forward
wheels was let down on the road For
we were so near the inn that
my companion could 60 back there to
wait while l tried to extricate myself
rom the dilemma A short distance
loWn the road was house. where /
Iound a telephone, but l spent a long
While before could get a man to come
rom garage with implements to re-
'alr the break. And 1t would not be
'are to use the tire for an hour or two
iiter ne had done So 1t was 8 O'Clock
'eiore the patch was put on and half
'ast before dared start again Then
drove back to the inn and Informed
HISS MacDownell that we were twenty
mics from Medbury, and since / dare
lot strain the newly patched tire we
'nouid have to proceed slowly over
uch portions Of the road that were in.
error. 1t might hc 6 o'clock before wo
cached the Place.
How long will it take to 60 hom,v.
he asked.
can get YOU back to where | over
ook you ia an hour" | said.
rake me home dinna care to ar
Med Jury moo"
WI you be too late to find ven,
rother:" s
dl ma care to go there moo" wa.
Ii could get out of her.
we We're fortunate in reaching bo, {
ome without further mishap. Wien
'e came near th2 house my compon on
eIt me and went Oh alone. Bof,re
artlne | arranged for a call and nm. I
ther ride Tie call made at nm esrlr
ate, and after that We had many riles I
ogether. ''.e> I
ohe matter turned up mystery. l,
ooh came out tl2I Edith had no broth I
Upon my accusing her CT having
ecelVed me she confessed that on The
lorhin" to, her into my auto shs i
'as gong to meet a lover for an elena l
lent. /
i' was then that l understood no, a
'ords Il dinna care to 20 there moo :. I
nd tAia IS why have said that I wa. t
i"Nil'e hiSt"rl more for her than for q
!! So. she c.i.4red her intended hus.