The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-14
Hope-Ofth the
Lilies
By Dorothy Douglas
Copyright, 1912. by Associated Literary
PresS)

/
Copyright 1912. hy Associated Literary
| PresS.)
Lorimer watched his neat, deft, lit
tie nurse as she arranged his break
fast daintily on tray. He had been
watching her for some two or more
weeks going through the identical
movements. He felt. in a degree, sor
ry that his broken leg was practically
in a condition to suggest his depar
ture for few weeks in the country.
Lorimer had made a surprisingly
quick recovery and he voiced his next
thought:
Il hardly know whether it Is your
excellent care of me or those delicious
fresh eggs that have thrown me out
of this comfortable place so quickly"
He laughed up at her as she placed
the tray beside him and cut the top
of an egg so creamy and white as 70
make his mouth water,
ut must be the eggs" returned
Miss Lane, at least you would think
so if you could get a glimpse OF the
young woman who raises them
Unique occupation" laughed Lor-
liner. then turned his attention to the
small sign that had aroused his
curiosity since the arrival OF his first
breakfast in the hospital The stamp
on each egg was diamond In the
center Of which was d.
$50 the mystery Is solved" Lor-
inner glanced again at his nurse.
What does the D. stand for" he
asked, quite excited by this bit Of In
terest in the dull monotony Of an In
valld's days
"Dorcas Farms" informed the
nurse. THE young woman. who lives
with her mother out on Long Island.
sends her fresh eggs to US every
morning."
DO you mean that she actually
makes her living raising eggs-chick-
ens?" Iorimer's ideas Of ways and
means for earning a livelihood were
rather vague when It came to the
gentler sex. In fact. his interest IN
the feminine element had been sadly
discouraged by the unconditional re-
fusal he had received from Clarice
Mcclure. True. the advertisement Of
having his leg run over by seven.
passenger automobile had. In a way,
taken his mind from the ravages Of q
broken heart.
Exactly that" chimed in the nurse
Hope Carter and her mother have
managed to exc out living for
year but It has been hard struggle"
Miss Lanes shoulders went up In a
half doubtful gesture. II tell Miss Car.
ter she casts too much bread upon
tho water but she continues to dis.
tribute charity wherever she goes.
Now. for instance. she IL coming In
tomorrow with basket Of eggs col.
ored for Easter so that the children
In the hospital can each have one"
Tomorrow? IOrimer half arose
from his pillows and was promptly
lowered by the nurses arm. II want
to sec this Miss Hope Carter" lie
smiled whimsically. coaxingly at his
nurse do you suppose she could be
induced to be charitable to-me9 Men
are but children--when they are III"
he added.
Miss Lane doubted in her heart II
any girl could resist her big good
looking patient. She smiled her
thoughts appealing. Swallowed eyes
suggested a thought OF her.
II will see what We can do" she
told him. then said suddenly. DOC
tor White thinks few weeks In the
country would d. you a lot of good =
perhaps Miss Carter and her moth.
Err
You are awfully anxious to get rid
of me-" Lorimcr spoke. half petu.
lantly.
Miss Lane only smiled 'lle will
he far more anxious himself when
Hope Carter has come and gone" she
told herself
So II was that during the next day
, I.orimcr saw slim. sweet Hone
standing beside his bed In her hands
a cluster OF Easter lilies and N her
eyes the soul Of flower That she
was one Of the worlds wonders dawn.
ed on Lorimer the moment she came
into his room There radiated from
; her sense Of peace and strength
combined
The sick man stretched out a hand
for the lily she would have put In the
vase by his bed
Il want to hold it-and smell H." he
told her with his whimsical smile
"These-are the first lilies tha,
have come into bloom for me-" she
said with a little triumph in he,
voice.
"You-made these lilies grow" Lor
liners tone Was almost one Of awe.
Hope Carter let fall a soft happy
laugh. why yes-is II % strange:
found that eggs and poultry left no,
only come spare time but also come
room In our pocket books" Sht
laughed again with . lack Of restraint
IN her manner that charmed Lorimer
4