The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-01
SERENA'S SUMMER
BOARDER
By TEMPLE BAILEY

but we couldn't. could we?" asked
little Mrs. Blair. anxiOusly. I'VE
have never had any strange people
in Our house"
"One boarder isn't strange peo
ple.'" Betty reminded her, "and III
advertise for some dear old soul with
gray curls. and a lap dog-I should
love the dog. mumsie.'
Mrs. Blair sighed resignedly.
You never could take things Sc
rious!y." she said.
Serena smiled and ran away to gel
the lunch. But when she reached
the kitchen her face lost its bright
ness. If mother only knew" she
whispered to the big yellow cat on
the window sill. If mother only
knew, | haven't money enough to
pay for the advertisement
Il want to put an advertisement in
city paper" she said to Alvin Green
that night, and haven't any money.
| ! guess I'll have to borrow it, and you
can take your pay in eggs
"All right" said Alvin Green. He
was an old friend of the family and
kept the village store
Mother doesn't know just how
hard up we are" Serena explained,
"but told her we'd have to take
some one to live with us, and finally
she agreed"
The advertisement when written
read as follows:
Board for single lady in private
family. Big first.noor bedroom open
ing on porch Fresh eggs, clio
yer honey. brook trout. spring chick
ems. home cooking. Fireplace, old
mahogany. solid silver, lake view"
She hand 1t to Alvin
Its the queerest advertisement I
ever saw" he said.
Well" Serena told him seriously,
Il put that In about the mahogany
and the silver because nice people
like such things"
A few days later letter came.
Serena carried 1t over to Alvin.
Listen to this" she cried.
"Your advertisement sounds like
peaches and cream to me-" 1t said
I'm coming on Saturday night.
Don't let any one else have that
room or the fresh eggs. and l want
to corner that honey-and will you
please have hot biscuits! I'll pay
twenty-five dollars a week. Don't
try to change my price. because I
shall probably make lot Of trouble.
and I want to bring my dogs"
Il wonder II It's Miss or Mrs."
said Serena. thoughtfully.
Alvin read the note again. well,
from tho kind Of English she uses.
and the way she slings around her
money. should say she was gay
widow. and I'll bet the dogs are bull
pups"
On Saturday night the big front
bedroom was In readiness. There
we're roses in silver bowl on the
shining mahogany dresser. There
were fresh white curtains blowing
gently In the soft breeze. A little
fire burned on the hearth. For she
may be cold" said Serena. land the
evenings are COOL"
In the dining room the table was
set with the fine linen and the old
glass and silver that Mrs. Blair had
saved out of the wreck OF her for
tunes.
"She will be here at SIX" said
Serena. coming In from the kitchen
where Miranda Meek presided over
the stove. Serena had on white
linen skirt and thin blouse. and her
red-brown curls were caught up high
on top Of her head. Il hope she'll
be nice and that you will like her"
A muffled scream from the kitchen
started both of them. Then Miranda
burst In They've come in an auto
mobile. A great big red one. and
there's two dogs on the back seat.
and man In front. and | don't see
any woman"
1T isn't our boarder." said Serena,
peeping out. Probably something
has happened to that poor mans ma.
chine: we'd better 60 and see"
But when she reached the porch
she gave a little gasp Of dismay. for,
the young man having descended
from his seat. was taking out bags
and rugs and wraps,
Then he came up the walk to,
ward Serena You won't mind"
he said. cheerfully. II l pile these
things on the porch while | get the
rest i've got such lot Of truck.
you know-"
But your mother" stammered
Serena. when will she be here,"
He stared ct her. MY mother
then HE eyes twinkled. "Oh, you
did say something about board for a
lady. But do you think l was going
to Let you waste all this richness on
. woman! Why. that brook trout
took me. Where do they catch
themf"
ALVIN Green catches ours" said
Serena, stiRly.
Nov. look here" said the young
\ man I'm Afraid rvo mada 80, 60,