The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-24
MISS PECxHAM'S BEAU
BY BLANCHE HARPER.


nounced Mrs. Bennett, breathlessly
; to the women who were gathere,
around this bridge table.
You don't say so!" exclaimed Mr.
Holman. Who is hep
The new boarder." replied Mrs
bennett. Hes the tall young maj
who sits at the middle table. He tool
a great fancy to Miss Peckham tn,
very day he came. I'm SO glad. Mis-.
Peckham Is one Of the finest womer
at the Brownstone. and 1t certainly II
a shame that she never had a beat
before"
Never had beau"
Never repeated Mrs Bennett
impressively. "She admitted It tc
me in confidence one day. intend
to help her along all can. and see
that she lands Mr.. Weed. for she de-
serves good husband"
Il should say she does," agreed
one OF the other women. Lets all
Fut IN a good word for her, and then
II she doesn't land him it won't be
our fault"
That evening after dinner Mrs.
| fennet MAS sitf.Ag on the front
porch Of the ,rownstone alon. when
young Weed made It's appearance.
Good evening Mr.. Weed" chirp-
ca the gopher eyed Mrs. Bennett.
How do you like the Brown.
stoneo"
Very much indeed, Mrs. Bennett
The food is good and | find the peo-
pie pleasant
I'm SO glad to hear you say SO.
Mr.. Weed. I've lived here four years
and ! am very fond of all the people
here. especially the young ladies'. We
have such lovely young ladies' here.
don't you think SOP"
Yes, yes, indeed young Weed re-
piled nervously. A bachelor can never
be too wary.
Il think Miss Peckham is an espe-
cially tine girl Mrs. Bennett went
on. She is perfectly splendid and
she makes the best things in a chatting
dish you ever tasted"
Mrs. Bennett glanced out of the cor.
ner OF her alert brown eyes to see
the effect her speech was having upon
young Weed. lie was plainly moved.
10: he fingered his cane nervously and
hurried down the steps, murmuring
some hing about an engagement.
The next morning Mrs. Holmes met
young Weed in the hall on his way to
breakfast
Good morning. Mr.. Weed. Lovely
morning, isn't it,"
Fine, fine agreed young Weed,
standing politely aside for Mrs.
Holman 70 pass. but that designing
person moved not at all
Too bad this isn't a holiday. It
would be such Il lovely morning to
play golf. You know, Miss Peckham
Is an expert golfer, and you should
challenge her to game some fine
morning."
"Yes?" spoke young Weed. inquir-
ingly, reddening a tritle. Il am not
much OF golfer myself"
Then you uhould have Miss Peck.
ham take you in hand and teach you,"
insisted Mrs. Holman. I'm sure she
would love to. She is so accommodate
ing! And she has such a perfect dis.
position. Really, Mr.. Weed you should
know her better"
Young Weed succeeded In driving
Mrs. Holman before him to the break.
fast room, where she beamed at him
from her table across the room all
through the meal
AS young Weed stopped at the mail
box In the hall Mrs. Adams sailed
down the front stairs, elbows waving.
Looking for love letter, Mr.. Weed?"
she bantered gayly.
Not this morning, Mrs. Adams. No
such good luck for me. Haven't got
a sirl, you know" He smiled at her
unsuspiciOusly.
We'll. now, that's too bad, Mr..
Weed. A man with your good looks
should not have any trouble finding a
girl. If you want any help, just let
me know. | know of one not very far
away. She is dear, and I'm sure you
would like her very much if you knew
her better. There. I've let the cat
out of the bag, for you do know her
Really. Mr.. Weed" she went
On coniidentially, Miss Pecaham is
one of the most charming girls at the
Brownstone. And so versatile. She
can do anything-cook, sew, sing, con-
verse intelligently, do anything.
Really. you should cultivate her &C.
quaintance. I'm sure you two would
be very congenial."
Young Weeds hair fairly stood
up with alarm as he hurried away.
Evidently there was q combination
10 snare him.
The next afternoon Miss Peckham
sat on the porch reading. She was
unconscious of the havoc
hat had been wrought by her we'll
meaning friends. She looked up In
surprise as young Weed came out on
he porch. suitcase in hand, his long.
pointed nose stabbing the atmosphere
before him. Having scented danger,
he was making his retreat. He started