The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-23
JIMsIE's STEPMoTHER
BY JOHN TRoU.

NC CdIcu lOI tue Led, Out un0er cover
of the talk of the dozen or more he
was sure to find there. he could
watch Anne and revel in her beauty
and charm.
Anne was going to marry the Hon.
enable Richard Bachman, q widower
with . boy eight or nine years old.
Laird Robbins had told him conf
dentially that he was in the jewelers.
when the elderly lover ordered ITO
Anne" inscribed in a circle Of dia
monds.
Anne met him at the door, ond over
her head Dan saw Bachman by the
window. pinching off a rosebud. out OF
his own late purchase. to put in the
lapel Of his frock coat.
II you're engaged. Anne" he said
pointedly. I'D better not 60 in to-
day."
Come right in this minute" urged
Anne cordially. "You can go to mar
ket with me in a little while, and then
stay to dinner if you will"
Bachman had his hat in his hand
ready to leave.
"You think 1t is pretty. then. Miss
AIMEE" Don heard him ask at the
door.
ITS lovely" said Anne with en-
thusiasm. you've shown splendid
taste"
Anne shut the door quietly and
faced Don, laughter wrinkling up the
corners Of her eyes.
Isn't this place a bower Of beauty
and fragrance Your roses have made .
Il summer here even if It is winter in
the rest of the world They're lovely
Don. What's he matter? Your face
Is so long and solemn"
"Blue devils guess" he answered
shortly. Mind II smoker"
Never did did 7? Puff away, but
I'll have you know that II there are
any blue devils In this box Of an
apartment, you brought them In your
pockets. | ran them all out this
and watched them freeze to
death on the window SILL"
You're mighty gay This afternoon.
aren't you?"
Yes. sir. for I have Z contract
with big new magazine to furnish a
page Of my cuties In every issue for
.he next six months"
What a clever girl you are. Anne!
That pencil Of yours has made those
title figures Of people famous over
he country"
The door opened unceremoniously
Ind Jimsie Bachman. the son ard
leir to the vast estates Of the Honor
Ible Richard. appeared.
Hello, Miss Anne! Got any cakes"
Il certainly have. Come IN and
I'll get you some. You know Mr..
Rogers. don't your"
so you have a sweet tooth. Jim.
ny" said Rogers affably.
my names not Jimmy, It's Jlmsie.
saw II IN the Bible I'm all the time
having to tell my right name to
olks."
While Anne went foraging for
axes. Iimsie turned his back to the
Ire. hands clasped behind him, In
he most approved man fashion.
Miss Anne's helping dad get mar.
led" he asserted with the import.
nee of one giving vital news.
Really" responded the man icily.
Yes. she's helped him a lot bout
'1ecting the ring and ALL" went on
no loquacious youngster THE lady's
friend of Miss Anne's. That's why
she's so interested"
"Who-whom is your father going
to marry?" demanded Rogers. sud.
denly.
y promised not to tell anything
about 1t to anybody" returned Jim
sic, loftily.
TIL give you a dollar to tell mo
the truth"
Gee! I'd told for fifty cents"
said Jimsie quickly forgetting his
ITS Miss Anne Rraduer.
she lives IN another town. Whare's
the money!
Hero you are. Jimsie." said Anne.
coming In just then. Y brought Won
. boz full Of cakes to take on thu
train tonight when you and your n,
Their 60 Visiting"
What have you done with von,
blue devils" she demanded turning
back from closing the door ON her
guest and facing 4 man
with . very different expression from
the one he had worn half an hour IN,
fore. did you give them to Jimsief
Hes very accommodating"
VERY" he answered. and them N
he watched her adjust a fur tooue an
her dark hair. Are We going to mar.
ket now-to buy q fat Pig"
mo. not that" corrected Anna =
need . few extras and I've been too
busy 70 80 out today"
She fastened . great crimso, 49,.
In her furs. Il have to tata an.
with me-" she said.
To you 1t Is a rose. to ma =, =.
my heart" he quoted.
ssThat'a pretty eept,r,...