The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-16
:Daisy'sHero
He Proved, Too, He Was a
Real One
By CLARISSA MACkIE

engaged in animated conversation WIN
a good looking, athletic young man.
daisy is so imprudent," murmurcd
Daisy's mother as she neared the
chairs. There is poor Hal eating his
heart out, and that naughty girl is de-
voting herself to young Pearson
She smiled coldly at Ben Pearson as
he arose promptly at her approach and
arranged her chair. When she WAS
seated and the rug tucked about her
feet Mrs. Howard glanced significantly
at Daisy.
"My dear, did you know that Hal
was waiting for you? You promised 10
play accomplishments for him."
"Oh, mother, l forgot all about it,"
cried Daisy as she arose and settled
the blue cloth cap on her bright hair
"Mr Pearson was describing the great
Yale Harvard game-you know he was
halfback on the football team" Daisy
cast an admiring glance at Pearson'S
broad shoulders.
Mrs. Howard smiled perfunctorily,
and she was nettled to observe that
Den fedTSOu i'tih' - -
search for Hal Denison. Just as she
was congratulating herself that this
Mediterranean tour. with all its pleas
ant intimacy of ship life must bring
about an engagement between Daisy
and Hal Denison, the son of her old
friend, why, who should appear but
this football hero, Ben Pearson, and
promptly put poor Hal out of the run
ming.
Why they called Hal Denison Poor
Hal one could not tell. for. although
he was not big and brawny like Ben
Pearson, he was not frail looking un-
less one especially noted the intellectu-
al face which had certain delicacy OF
feature and expression. Otherwise.
although Hal DeniSOn was small in
stature he was wiry and strong. lie
had never gone in for athletics. Lie
was a musician, and even now there
came the dreamy strains Of LA Sere'
made" as he played on his violin to
Daisy's sympathetic accompaniment.
| Later the music ceased for awhile.
and then Pearson's deep bass voice
was heard booming forth popular
songs.
Dusk was settling down over the sea
when Daisy came along the deck quite
alone and slipped into her chair with
unusual quietness.
Hal played beautifully, my dear"
murmured Mrs. Howard slcepily.
81 suppose so, mother" returned
Daisy; then, hesitatingly, she added,
"You don't like Mr.. Pearson, do you?"
II don't admire him, my dear, but |
cannot say that dislike him." return
ed Mrs. Howard.
IT like him very much" said Daisy
simply.
mot better than Hal?" demanded
Mrs. Howard, throwing caution to the
winds.
Daisy hesitated, and that instant's
hesitation told Mrs. Howard that the
| girls love was wavering beween the
two men. Which would she choose
There was little doubt. for Daisy was
hero worshiper, and she plainly ad
mired the burly football player.
ooh. mother" she cried impulsively
you know I'm fond Of Hal, but hes
more like girl. don't you know-quiel
and dreamy and fond of simple things
One could not imagine Hal doing any.
thing heroic, now. could one"
"Some people rather thought it was
heroic for Hal to give his cousin Ned
three-quarters of their uncle's estate
when the uncle had purposeiy cut Nee
off In moment of anger: that's an eX
ample of moral courage 1t was coura
geous of Hal to submit to a transfu
sion of blood in an effort to save hi.
brothers life three years ago. In m!
opinion, Hal DeniSon is hero
But, mother, dear. that is all yer,
we'll, but that isn't the sort of courag,
mean. There is certain charm II
physical courage. don't you know
JeopardiZing ones life to save that o
another l couldn't imagine Hal doin,
that"
How about giving his blood for hi
brother? He has never been as wei
since then"
II Il know, but the kind of heroisn
that l mean is born Of an impulse, tn
| sort that leaps to stop a runawa
horse. that plunges overheard to save
drowning person. Oh. you KNOW
/ Mrs. Howard smiled.
"A spectacular heroism," she sal,
dryly.
81 can't imagine Hal doing anythin
of that Sort" went on Daisy. HE is 8
deliberate in all his actions He woul
want to stop and think the matter owe
whether there might not be a SAT
and sane way of accomplishing th
end. Do you know. mother. that NJ
Pearson has saved eight people froI
drowning in the past ten years."
Il didn't know 1t, Daisy. but | al
sure 1t is very creditable record. Di
he tell you of his acts of heroismT
| Now. Mother Howardr Dais
laughed rather shamefacedly. He di
tell me, but only because urged hil
L m do ca I lOva baroiS,,,