The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-12-15

BUDDY"
BY EVA GOLDBERG.


Preparations were being made at
"Idlers'. Lodge" for the invasion Of
"rhe Jolly Ten" Polly French, their
president, left ON an earlier train than
the other members, with plans for
dressing up the crude bungalow and
replacing isolation by homelike
atmosphere.
Buddy Moore, her acquaintance Of
half an hour, she had already adopted
as camp mascot, and the little fellow
proved his worth by running errands
in the locality so unfamiliar to the
newcomer.
Nov what coy touch that gives"
Polly convinced herself, while she sur
veyed q corner where stood settee
upon which were arranged gayly-c0l-
ored pillows. A picture here and there
several pennants tastefully distrib-
uted-what transformation 1t made
on the bare wall
While Buddy ran out to gather some
wild flowers for her vase, the indus
trious girl undertook to repair .
broken rocking chair. Missing her
aim, the hammer heavily struck her
finger.
My, but that hurt! What fierce
blow! And was the hand swelling?
The happy youngster, with an arm
full of fresh posies, romped In to dis
play them. Excited Polly glanced at
herself In bungalow attire, then at
Bud.
Sonny, do you know where I can
get a doctor? See what I've done
II don't know. Miss Polly" he ven
tured with childlike hesitancy, but l
can 20 to the village and find out"
1.-THE village-bless your heart
that's half mile down. You're an
i angel" And she stroked his crop of
golden hair. Aren't you afraid to 80
all alOne?" she inquired. You can
read a doctors sign, Of c0urse?'
| "Sure can" he assured. ut says
M. d., don't It? can read-Fm seven
now--in the second grade-we read
hard books and write with ink, we
do"
"All right dear, then remember
the first sign that reads NJ. d." she
shouted as he ran towards the door.
The little chap was half way down
to the village when he passed a house
whose brass doorplate attracted his
eve. On It was displayed in large
black lettering:
NJ ID. CLARKE,
Proprietor. Sunrise Studios.
Sowing the Initials, and without at
tempting to decipher the rest, whicl
was beyond his power, the youngStc'
rang the bell and summoned the owner
of that long title. A serious appear
ing young man approached him.
Miss French says for you to com'
! right over-She's hurt herself and i
aches dread-dreadfully,' The boy an
nounced without amy ceremony.
Morton d. Clarke was in a guam
dairy,
"Ircnlll." he asked "N'ho is N'leY
you'd better hurry, cause @,.''
afraid her hands poisoned the Ii1h'
messenger warned, ignoring the dire"
! question
The artist followed thc speedy 'H'H
footsteps that led to the road "r.
introduced "Idlrrs' Lodge wicre Ga
palicnl was now in severe pain.
con, doctor" she explained la
/ meeting the hatlesS. brcatlllcss ,Stran
ger, Il would have called at your Of
flee only that j am moi acquain
with this town and so sent
"Doctor?' he interrupted, but Their
must be some mistake, grille. I'm II
doctor. but an artist--up here for tn
\ surmeg.
"I.ot me waste no time. though" b
suggested when noticing the expose
wound perhaps | can help you b.
'pltonng for one
In moment he was gone.
Returning from the station, MI
Clarke assured Miss French that
physician would arrive in 10 minutes
Tn the meantime he tried TO make ne
forget her suffering by his engagin
manner and interesting conversation
"Ncw tell me-" he urged. "who eve
PLAYED a Joke on me and gave you m
name as being doctOrr
Buddy, overhearing this, amusingl
indicated himself by proving the e'
4 istence of an NJ. b. on Clarke's name