The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-04

sweater and the bandanna handker-
chief knotted about his throat The
man snatched a yellow checked cap
from his head and bowed. In spite Of
! her fear Polly's face flushed angrily at
his assurance
IF you please" he said. I'D like to
talk with you. No"-as she ventured
to withdraw into the room-"I won't
keep you long. and I'll say it here.
MY first subject is art. l wish to
give you little dissertation on art
With rapidly beating heart Polly
waited. 1t was impossible to follow
the excited rapidity Of the outrageous
| young mans flowing talk. OF one
thing she was sure, he was insane.
Insane, and she alone on the deserted
floor Of an apartment building, at mid
night. What should she do?
To call out or startle a maniac, Polly
remembered, might bring on danger
Gus climax. What should she do?
Again, very cautiously, she moved
toward the shelter Of her room.
"Wait" cried the young man sharply.
Il have more to say to you than this
much more
In the momentary silence that fol
lowed she feared he would hear her
frightened breathing.
Il love YOU" burst out the young
man at last. II love you. For long
days have l watched you stealthily,
adoringly All my future is built on
hope Of winning you. Your love can
raise me to the highest paradise, your
refusal sends me to the lowest depths
of despair. Weigh well, then, lovely
maid, your answer-lest l destroy my
self in your presence; take care"
Family the girl leaned against the
doorway. Surely she had fallen asleep
over her sketching, and this was but
! part of troubled dream. From down
the hall came low, confused murmur
J. Il love you" cried the young man
: again-"I love you" His voice ended
in wall Say yes. or destroy my
self"
With sudden flash Of light the dool
opposite was thrown open: for an In
slant 'he" stood there, perplexed, un
certain-he, the one wise, kind soul II
all this dreadful city. Polly never hes
itated. "Oh, please" she murmured
and rushed toward him. The man o
the opposite room put her aside gent.
while he caught the wild youth by tn
. collar. "Now," he asked sharply
u what is the meaning Of all this?"
Up from the shadows of the long col
e ridor came slowly and silently in thei
:. sneaker shoes dozen men, young me
IL Polly's startled eyes discerned them
= be, and for the most part they wer
= laughing or covering their mouths
:, smother their laughter. Her tOrmentC
=, of moment ago was grinning, to-
grinning rather sheepishly, as the or
,, mans stern gaze was bent upon him.
Explain" commanded her protecto
cor shall call the police|
g "Oh, Mr. Lawrence" said a voic
., 'let us down easy. Maybe we did owe
90 do 1t little tonight, but we got pref
~ gay. It's the fraternity initiation, "
" know. Bayes, here, was ordered to
few stunts, had to travel aroul
d. town all night In that rig and end
a. with proposal to the prettiest girl
" the building. We picked Miss-er
Ia Chester out MS she came In tonight al
id stipulated the art talk when we'd lear
n. ed her profession. He had to do
Don't blame Bayes.'
,lf The spOkesman's repentant eyes IN
er those Of the enlightened Miss Chester
a lawfully sorry" he said remorsef'
Sc ly. "Any way In the world we Ct
apologize, jointly or singly. wen DO II
re- His solemn face changed convulsivel
in Gee" he laughed. but 1t was funny
so Polly drew long breath, and h
ed champion, still holding the victim
vat initiation by his sweater collar, look
It back at her.
ay what do you say. Miss ChesterT'
no asked. "Shall we have these disturbe
of the peace jailed, as we could, lock
ire up for the common idiots they a
to Or
he It was very comforting to have a pl
his tector. Also 1t was because of the
lin very idiots that she" was now her p
ar. tectOr.
lis 1--WE will let them go free" she sa
st Humbly abject, the initiation comm
ed tee shutlied away. Amused und
standing sparkled suddenly in the ey
'ur Polly turned upon her companion.
must have been funny for them" 8
Tell said. But Mr.. Lawrence was regal
ub- ing her intently There seemed to
gly in his gaze more concern than su
ore short acquaintance warranted.
avo,, should not ho living here "a Ion