The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-01
A MISTAKE
AND A MISS
By ARTHUR w. PEACH
Copyright. 1912, by Associated LtaraSv
Press.)

The manager of the Avenue Garage
turned with an anxious face from the
telephone He looked across at the
neat. well-dressed young fellow loung.
ing in his Office.
by George! I'm In for It.
agreed 10 have my best driver here for
a party this afternoon. and l haven I
got man on the place: and here's a
call from the best customer have.
cant go myself"
The young fellow Strengthened up.
Look not so worried. Gleason. why
wouldn't dO?"
The manager stared. then his anx-
ious face eased. Hilton. If you will
do this for me. I'll be your slave for
the next decade. But if you go. re
member you aren't driving that biz
speeder of yours. and forget. too. that
you are the only son OF multi-mil.
lionaire. and remember that you aren [
to talk unless you're asked to. But If
you win help me ont will remember
II, ! assure YOU"
"Oh. I'm game; its a new kind of a
lark; and will remember"
A little later. as he seated himself
In the big touring car in snug chauf-
feur's uniform, he turned to Gleason
Il guess I'll keep the goggles on. SO If
l should happen to meet some Of my
friends. Now where Is it,"
1887 First avenue"
What. Why, man alive. therc's
where girl lives whom | have been
trying to convince that am just the
right age to marry. ,Iephosaphat! |
don't know abOut-this 4"
We'll, don't take the chance then
Hilton sat up. Take chance |
never let one go by SO long"
The big car murmured ont of the
roadway into the smooth avenue and
he sent II hnmming down the broad
street. He knew that he would have
TO play his cards well to escape de
lection, for the eyes of Alice Vernon.
gentle and blue as they were, were
keen |! she discovered him masqucr-
aiding al her expense. he thought TO
himself, II would be one long good
night with an exclamation point In
heavy type He drew his heavy gug.
giles far down over his eyes. sunk as
much Of his six feet as he could into
the seat. drew the hat down until II
hid the kinks In his hair. and drew
up In front Of the residence OF Senator
Vernon
A maid had evidently been on the
watch, for In few minutes the trim,
girlish figure Of the girl he loved came
lightly down the broad steps, and was
handed into the car BY the fOotman.
Hilton thanked his stars that she gave
him not glance. His hand went to
the brakes. then PAUSED on her order.
Hilton swore softly and tenderly un.
der his breath; for coming serenely to,
ward him was his most earnest rival,
Sidney Farland. Hilton wondered
what was going to happen: he found
out. A sweet voice behind him said:
Good morning. Sidney. am going for
little spin out and back: are you
going DOWN."
Hilton hoped to heaven that he
never appeared so eager for an invita-.
ton or accepted one as eagerly as Far
land did
They rolled of. Farland chatting be.
hind In his eager. impetuous way. and
Hilton. himself. bumped down In his
seat feeling like swearing impetuously.
It was pretty how-do-you-to acting
as chauffeur for a sweetheart and a
rival.
He listened TO the merry chatter be-
hind him. and the gall In his thoughts
grew bitter. He, himself. even came
up for a topic Of conversation. and she
said little. Farland very industriously
went on to amplify into little details
the miserable story that he had heard
was going the rounds about him all a
lie Hilton was sure he had found out
who was industrious In spreading II:
but the thought did not serve to
sweeten his viewpoint on life
As they drew near the streets lead
ing to the business section. Hilton was
in hopes that Farland would ask TO be
dropped, but far from II, and the next
thing he knew. she was asking him to
90 with her on the spin.
Tbov uhirlod out nnfo tbc c,nnoth