The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-14

i
1t was with some difficulty that she
modified the illumination of her BEAM
ing face as she entered her husbands
Office He must not suspect at first
that she was the bearer Of such good
tidings. As 1t happened. he was busy
telephoning when she approached his
desk and he merely nodded as she
sank into chair by his side. She had
therefore plenty Of time to compose
her features. So 1t was with quite
successfully grave face that she greet.
ed him when he finally ceased bis tele.
phonic conversation.
"Well, dear?" he began. At the same
instant the telephone bell began also.
and in another second he was deeply
engrossed in . conversation that to
Mrs. Bruce seemed to have lasted full.
" ten minutes.
Dick; I came down To-" she said
when at last he hung up the receiver.
Just q minute. Lucy. I've got to
call up Bentley at once and tell him Of
this matter that Hardwich was phon-
ing me about"
After Bentley had been put In pos.
session Of . long list Of facts and Do
tails that to Mrs. Bruce we're about
% clear % 20 much Sanskrit her hus-
band again turned to her with Z vel.
coming smile.
This morning. Dick. I received .
letter from"
"Ting.a.ling. ting-a.ling." rang the
telephone. Its insistent demand for
bis attention promptly brought Bruce's
ear to the receiver.
by George. 10 that right" he e.
claimed after he had listened Z min.
ute. ITS q pretty big deal. isn't It!
Well, you'll have to 90 to Hardwich
for the figures. Yes. we can send over
our schedule, but Hardwich can give
you more data. Yes, certainly, I'll ask
him. Don't mention It. have plenty
Of time. No trouble whatever" He
hung up tho receiver.
THAT was a chance to do the great
Amalgamated company a little favor"
he said smilingly to Mrs. Bruce. But
before his hand had left the receiver
he changed his mind and took 1t down
again. Then followed a long and dip.
lomatic appeal to Hardwich. Mrs.
Bruce sat through It patiently, buoyed
up by the thought Of the perfectly de.
lightful surprise she still had In store
for her husband.
Once more the receiver was hung up
on its hook and Bruce. swinging
around in his chair. said, Going shop.
ping, Lucy?"
mo. Dick. I came down especially
to tell you" Then the loud ring Of
the telephone drowned her voice.
"Hullo. Yes. Oh. Mr.. Bonthorne!
Very glad to hear from you. Why, yes.
I think SO. No trouble at all. have
the whole project mapped out here in
my desk. Yes. II you wish. I can read
of the main points for you"
Bruce drew Q thick package Of pa.
pers from a pigeon hole and began to
read slowly and carefully numerous
paragraphs and long lists Of figures.
Mrs. Bruce gave his back departing
glance. fldgeted for ten minutes and
then. rising quietly, slipped out Of The
ONCE.
Half an hour later che called up her
husband on the telephone from . dry
goods store. Somewhat to her sur.
prise the line was not busy and she got
the connection at once.
rs this you, Dick?"
Yes. Lucy. Where In the world
did you disappear to! I was dunn
founded when turned from the phone
minute ago to find.you gone. Why
didn't you waltz"
Because came downtown purpose
~ to tell you something. got a let
ter from Mrs. Morse today. She says
that she and Mr.. Morse are going to
California In their private car week
after next and they want US to 60 with
them. Mr.. Morse thinks that will give
you . chance to visit the San Fran
cisco agency. He's going to write you
Or call you up on the long distance.
but Mrs. Morse said she couldn't wait
% tell me- Of Tie plan"
"Fine!" said Bruce. But, Lucy,
Why In tho world didn't you tell me
this when you were In the once? Il
takes my breath away. I don't see
how you could keep It to yoursek al
the time you were over here"
L"Do1t yQs. rsaily?" returned Nrs.