The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-18

been l have often thought that the
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 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 l was making for
myself and my companion was In
way more important to her than to
myself But why this was SO I did not
learn for long while afterward. Dur
ing that eventful day 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 cottage, with a sign.
wildwood inn. There were rude ta-
i bles in the grove, and inferred that a
luncheon would be Obtainable, so turn.
ed my machine into the place. A wo-
man with white cap and apron came
out, and | 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 l almost feared they
| would fly up among the branches Of
| the trees above us before could get
| them to my mouth As for the butter,
/ doubt II it had been churned an hour.
| A heartier course was spring chicken
| served with cucumbers, so that the heat
! of one was nullified by the GOODNESS Of
( the other, while both heat and GOODNESS
were enjoyable. A cup Of tea smoothed
| BY the richest cream was what we
drank; for dessert great dish Of
Strawberries as large as walnuts. And
all the while was looking into PAR
Of brown eyes opposite me and listen
ing to musical voice.
One thing more Of different kind
was needed for our history making. 1t
was not important except in small
way; there was nothing heroic, scenic,
lurid, romantic about It. 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 l driven without
an extra tire. l would not have been
without one this time had there not
been delay in filling an order had
expected one to be delivered to me
that morning. 1t had not arrived, ana
was obliged to set out without it.
Thank heaven that 1t was not forth
coming!
l had barely started from the Wild,
wood inn when one Of my forward
wheels was let down on the road. For
tunately we were SO near the inn that
my companion could go back there to
wait while | tried to extricate myself
from the dilemma. A short distance
down the road was house, where l
found telephone, but l spent long
while before l could get man to come
from a garage with implements to re-
pair the break. And 1t would not be
safe to use the tire for an hour or two
after he had done so. 1t was o'clock
before the patch was put ON and half
past 4 before dared start again. Then
l drove back to the inn and informed
Miss MacDownell that we were twenty
miles from Nedbury, and since l dare
not strain the newly patched tire we
should have to proceed slowly over
such portions of the road that were in
ferior. 1t might be 6 o'clock before we
reached the place.
How long will it take to go homer
she asked.
Il can get you back to where over.
took YOU in an hour" l said.
Take me home. dinna care to 90
to Medbury moo"
"Will you be too late to find your
brother:'
Il dinna care to go there noo," was
all could get out of her.
We were fortunate in reaching her
home without further mishap. When
we came near the house my companion
left me and went on alone. BEFORE
parting | arranged for call and an.
Other ride. The call made at an early
date, and after that we had many rides
together.
One matter turned up a mystery. II
soon came out that Edith had no broth.
er. Upon my accusing her of having
deceived me she confessed that on the
morning | took her into my auto she
was going to meet lover for an clone.
ment.
1t was then that l understood he,
words, Il dinna care to go there moo =
And this is why have said that was
making history more for her than for
myself. She changed her intended hus.