The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-23
Wine ofLife
~
By CATHERINE Hopson

JeaeceesssssseeeesseessssSsssoes esscsesceeee9eee
Eopyrisht 1918, by the Mcclure Nswspa-
per Syndicatal
want a hftr' called out q CHEEKY
voice. as jingiing sleigh bells slowed
up.
Amy Davanant, teacher Of the Pine
Grove school. stepped aside In the road
ct the approach Of bells, and then
turned with slight pucker between
her smooth brows at the futdlity Of
the question. Her need Of q "iift'' was
obvious since she was foundering
through fourteen inches Of unbroken
snow. Besides, she felt piqued that
Duncan Alden, unlike the other young
people in the community, had made
no effort to get acquainted since her
coming among them.
"Oh-it's you, Miss Davanant," Al
den said when he saw who 1t was.
Then he jumped out to help her In the
sleigh.
81 don't wonder you didn't recognize
me, I'm so wrapped up" she laughed,
a. be tucked the robe around her.
why In the name Of common sense
didn't the Perkinses take you to school
on day like thisY' he asked, when
the Jingle Of bells began again.
She laughed. They seldom think
It's necessary. Their daughter, Ame-
LA, once taught this school when she
was q girl, and walked back and forth
every day Of the term. She set an
uncomfortable precedent"
"Tt's hard to live up to some one
else's reputation, especially In a win
ter like this"
Maybe the paragon Amelia didn't
have so much snow to wade through.
But In most ways the Perkinses are
very kind to me-" she amended, lest
she should seem to disparage the good
people with whom she boarded.
"Yesf But it must be pretty dull for
you there-just those two old people"
he glanced commiseratingiy at the
brght-eyed girl beside him.
1T isn't exactly exciting" she &C
knowledged.
When they reached the district
schoolhouse, the unbroken snow and
smokeless chimney told them that
they were the first arrivals.
"Oh, I'm afraid Ted isn't there" she
exclaimed In dismay. Hes the boy !
hired to build fires for me-"
"Allow me to be Ted this morning."
laughed he. "Pm good hand at fire
building. A case of practice making
perfect, you know"
She protested, but he had his way,
and soon had glowing fire In the
rusty stove. This done, his glance
traversed the typical country school
room back to the dainty, city-bred girl
before him.
Genuine concern was In his face.
This billiards. made travelling
mighty bad. I doubt If any of the pu-
pills get here this morning. Most of
them live so far away. Whatll you do
4 they don't conner
"Oh, stay out the time. I'll have
10 on account Of the salary you know.
The directors aren't very lenient In
he matter of lost time"
That's so. But it's pretty dreary
proposition. I'll drop In at noon to
lee how you're making out" With a
'ew last laughing words of advice, he
eft; and the merry sound of bells died
way In the distance.
He was right about the pupils. No |
me came. Amy put in the morning
correcting papers and finishing pieces
4 work she had been obliged TO neg
ect In the stress Of regular routine.
Nj the time, though she would not
acknowledge 1t to herself, the thought
f Alden's promise to drop In at noon
vas cheering factor.
However, when twelve o'clock came
e did not appear and she was setting
ut a cold lunch from her lunch box
'hen she heard bells again. She opened
be door. Alden stood there, fur-coat-
d, fur-capped, his dark eyes shining.
"Pm afraid I'm a bit late, Miss
'avanant." His keen glance took in
ne forlorn, empty schoolroom. Il see
~ prophecy proved true"
She laughlngly nodded.
I'm glad Of It," he said naively.
For 1t makes possible the wish I've
cen harboring that you would do me
lie honor Of taking pot-luck dinner
18th me. I'm not much Of cook, but
can make bully soup; and I've &
hole kettle full on the stove In my
lbin."
Her eyes frightened, but hesitancy
lone In their depths.
"Oh, know II may be a bit uncon-
But surely this blizzard
light allow US some latitude In that
rection. Besides, we have Lassie,
ere, for chaperone," be nodded at
Ie gentle-eyed collie at his feet.
She laughed. st does seem as IL
lie storm might make some conces-
ons. But can you get back by one
clock? / might have some pupils