The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-25
By Long
Distance

Mrs. Adams beamed in conscious
pride as she lifted the telephone re.
ceiver from the hook.
"Oh. l just know it's Jane" she muir.
INJURED. ecstatically. to her caller. as
she waited. You'll excuse me, won't
you? 1t won't take long. and we're 60
ing to call each other up every single
week while she's at college. You see.
this is her first week and l just
know
Yes. yes. Hello! Yes. this is Mrs.
Adams. Oh. Jane. is that you. Your
voice sounded just as natural. You
poor child, you must be terribly lone.
ly" (Aside-"She's never been away
before.")
"Oh, I'm so glad you like it," aside
--"Shes so brave.")
You're just getting settled? Haven't
started your studies yet? Don't know
what you'll take? That's right, dear;
be sure you're comfortable first.
"Yes, darling. III be glad to make
it. Chocolate. you say? Are you sure
it won't be crushed in the express?
Oh, very we'll. Just moment, until
I get pencil and paper to put down
the address.
(Aside-"She's asking me to send
her a cake. They're to have spread.
and she promised to furnish the cake.
Isn't that just like her, to offer to help
right away? Jane is always so anx.
ious to help others You must excuse
me-when I think Of her away OF
there all alone. and no one to do
things for her, 1t brings tears to my
eyes! Oh. dear. where shall find
pencil and paper?")
Here am, Jane, dear. It's so hard
to find writing material in this house.
There! Yes. I have It. I'll make It to.
night and take 1t right over to the
express Office. Yes. I'll make few Of
those rocks, too, and-all right. some
ginger nuts, too. Oh. I'll put in lots Of
good things. to surprise you.
rs your bed soft, dear? Have you
enough coverings? Oh, Just a minute.
dear. there goes the door bell" Mrs.
Adams hastens to the door, returning
in about i've minutes.)
'1fello. Jane! It was your Aunt
May, In the auto. She wanted to take
me out. No. told her I didn't want
to 90. She said Jim is engaged to that
Smith girl. Yes. It's q shame. I'll
never get over being glad that you
were q girl instead Of boy.
80 you like tho girls? I'm SO glad!
Ones friends count for so much when
ones away from home!
isn't II lovely to have the tele-
phone! I've been counting, ever since
you left. on talking with you! II al.
most seems as II you were at home.
here!
"Be careful. won't you. dear. not to
get your feet wet. and TO wear your
warm coat, II it's the least bit damp.
And don't study too hard. Ambition
is all right. but don't overdo 1t, dear.
You've got your whole life before you.
What? You wish you had another
party dress? Your pink is too plain?
Well, I'll see II Mrs. Simmons can
make another for you. Write me Just
how you want 1t made. and we'll have
It there before the dance.
"You want to join . sorority? All
right. But be careful to get in with
the incest girls. won't you? I trust
you perfectly.
"Well, be good. and don't miss US
too much--and write often-and call
me IN soon, won't you--whenever
you're lonely? Goodby.
"Why, central! It was not! The
idea! Twenty minutes? Why. we
talked only about three minutes. Five
at the most. Well, could l help 1t II
the doorbell rang. and had to leave
for a while? Why. I most assuredly
did not have the wire when I was at
the door! Very well. send the bill,
and We shall see!" She thumped
down the telephone receiver.
1.-THE idea! Charging for. twenty
minutes. when just said hello to
Jane. l shall tell my husband! They
think they can do anything they please.
but he'll talk to them! Poor Jane!
She's so lonely! And these selfish tel
ephone people won't let me talk with
out charging such awful prices"