The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-29


1t was the cessation OF the rustling
leaves which at first attracted Billy's
attention, then low breathed "Ahr'
Under pretense Of securing his hand
kerchief he placed his satchel on the
ground and glanced around.
The girl was standing quite still.
her widened eyes staring straight
ahead
In quick alarm. Billy's gaze followed
hers. There, between them In the
path, his crooked legs bent as IL for
spring, crouched great bulldog. The
creatures body trembled with rum
bling, growing breaths. His bloodshot
eyes looked steadily toward the girl.
About his jaws cleaned something
white and frothy. Billy spoke evenly.
Keep perfectly STILL" he told the
girl you will be all right"
She seemed almost not TO hear him,
her eyes still fixed upon the painting
dog. Then, with little inarticulate
cry, she turned, suddenly covering her
face with her hands as Billy slipped
noiselessly forward. his fingers clasp
ing about the dogs throat.
Still with covered face the girl sank
down upon a mound OF leaves. and
when at last she looked about man and
dog had disappeared Slowly the girl
went forward. bringing with careful
touch Billy's valise to rest close beside
her own.
Then she waited
After what seemed an interminable
time she saw him walking briskly and
unframed, brushing the dirt and dust
of conflict from his clothing as he
came.
The girl put out her hands to him.
Speech seemed difficult
"Oh," she whispered. lit was brave!
That's all right" murmured Billy
confusedly "Don't-don't bother about
it," His eyes shone with the joyful
light of triumph.
you'll let me go with you nowT
he pleaded, and the girl seemed to I'M
derstand.
THAT was pretty satisfactory in
PRODUCTION" she said.
So on down the glorified path he
walked at her side and then, as their
train had not yet arrived, farther on,
past the sunset woods. Every moment
added to Billy's assurance. This was
the girl, the one true, only girl! Ana
when they were later settled In the
second car she looked up gratefully
How fortunate" she said, that you
happened to come my way! 1t Is Tor
the shooting, suppose. They do a
good deal of that up there In the fall.
"Yes," murmured Billy vaguely. the
shooting. And-youf"
She smiled her Incompatible smile.
am to spend week or two sketch
ing the autumn woods said Billy. III
Is considered good practice for an ar
student
She leaned forward eagerly.
"Now would It not be strange II
YOU were going to stop at MIS-. far
sons too? Most people do 60 there
j The hotel is SO poor.
"Mrs. Parsons" Billy assured her
sis the very place l intend 10 hoho
with nv presence during the coming
two weeks" Regretfully he lett ne
at the wide entrance to Mrs. PARSONS
boarding house.
az will just stop to make my al
rangements," he explained anu CUM
back tomorrow"
He smiled at her ruefully.
"It's long. long way to-tomorrow'
he said. =.
WhistlinC his happiness down III
ragged village street, Billy Towne el
tered the station.
"say" he asked an amazed agen
} .What's the name of this town.
! "Woodbridge.'
{ "Ob, All right. Well. give me
: ticket back to Sherman.
t "Return?" questioned the agent
pinv laughed. "You just bet yo'
: life," he replied
!. Alone through the fields he saunte
!. "a hack TO the trolley, smile OF ma
nv reminiscence fixed upon his race.
. Inst here she had stood like sti
tied appealing child, and there |
n. dog. .,.s
= Rilv paused in his recolections
: o,vo . low whistle. and from dista
house came clumsily numbering gre
u bulldog A moment the beast he
W ,oted IFS legs doubled for sprli
III ;ts hody shaking with low grown
| breotbs, then it leaped straight Il
1t pulv's arms Frantically the latn'
tongue sought to caress him. d.
ID "Here Kelly" he demonstrated =
that out. .,,.,,oh
Lovingly Kelly gazed through
III. bloodshot eyes. -, -,
lc- "Is that you. Billy Towne" cal
an approaching figure sure ~
ed never forgets his friends.
he ~Tha moor old boys asthma SEE
lld worse" said Billy. "Doing anytn
aCan,t" answered the man.
.se. Won go through here TINS al.ei =,
oy- Scared your lady friend pretty
car didn't heg