The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-27
AcH ns ,s see see ,cc&33sS33<H
NO REAL FRIENDS
That Is Way 1t Appeared to u-
ciIIe Until Right Party
Came Along.
BY JANE OSBORNE.

wv itHiuiht perhaps lOO uldSSumlQH
to make lirst-class reporter, but
that was what tse editors of the Morn
ing Planet cc.i-i.ered her
Every one who read the Morning
Planet knew her-and the Planets cir.
culatiOn was reckOned in six figures.
They knew her name and they knew
her breezy. clever style OF writing;
and they also knew what she looked
like from the little photograph that al.
ways appeared at the head Of the
daily articles from Lucille's pen She
was pretty and sprightly but certain
rather weary look had come into that
prettiness since the picture was tax
en- TWO years ago
The public knew her as Iuclle-her
editors knew her as Miss De Voc Her
friends knew her as but that was
the funny thing about Lucille. She
had no friends real friends-for in
spite OF the pluckiness that made her
such famous Il II interviewer. she
stunned society. She had no time in
the rounds of her fatiguing days for
the many people who would have en-
joyed the distinction of being on terms
OF friendship with the most popular
woman reporter In the country"
There was one exception to this
rule, however. Lucille had one inti.
mate, namely, Mary James, but per
haps the reason for Lucille's attach
ment to Mary James was the fact that
Mary was In society and could there
fore give Lucille useful information re-
garding the movements of that section
of the population and also the fact
that Mary James respected Lucille'g
determination TO De unsociable and
had ceased to brg her to take any part
in her social plans
But Lucille was losing faith even in
Mary james, for Mary had been trying
Tor month to make Lucille break
away from her habit They were in d
noWntowh tea room, enjoying one of
their usual tttc-a trtes snatched in the
puCJ icuiihF' vi Val SOCldI dIlu
Giles business activities
Now, don't b. unreasonable, Mary"
Lucille begged, eagerly munching tho
roasted scenes that Mary had ordered
with her tea You know how busy |
am. Besides | should not know what
10 say to him"
But Lucille, he is one man in a
thousand, and he might be OF use to
you. His father is some big steel or
iron magnate They are awfully well
connected. Really am sure you could
make use Of him and | know you
would like him"
Not interested" commented La
ellie with tone of tinalty
Blu; what shall tell him." begged
Mary James. You see he fancies he
Is quite taken with you. from your
picture and The way you write. He
doesn't give straw for society girls.
Really he is quite In love Just this
once begged VAR
No, said Lucille emphatically. Ike
dOeSn I appeal to me little bit. That
sort Of random attaching of ones A.
fections is stupid
But what shall | tell him? He
knows ! know YOU"
Tell him, said Lucille that | am
old enough to be mis- grandmother-a
man'llaing, spcctacled, cigarette
smoking freak
"bui, Lucille, he knows YOU pic
turr
Tell him it is fake picture that
theN hot-nt nom a photographer
Tell him hat if they used mine no
on would road a line Of my stuff
Tell him anything you like but let me
OF OF viii dfol you 40
Il have promised to DO If. Lucille"
Mary still b led
"iou had no right to promise"
Snapped lneiiie i fairly hate that
Curtss famsWorth bit he is in
love with you and is tellirs YOU this
Just to put you Of the lead
Mary knew that Lucille VAS deter.
mined and thor VA, IA md of her
pleadings, and in their tate-a-tpt.s
hereafter Lucille heard nothing OF Cur.
tiss Farnsworth and tancied with a
touch OF pique, II must be admitted
that the steel magnates son had for.
gotten her.
one day. few weeks later II.
cile had occasion 10 tougratulate her.
self that she had not broken with her
friend. Mary. A brilliant Young Ene.
! lish nobleman Lord Cyril Brandon
/ Lucille was sure she had heard of tho
! Lord Brandons-had come to this
country TO study conditions" ua
! ! would make wonderful hit In society
SO Mary assured Lucille over the tala.
, phone as she hastily notified her of nj,
( sudden and unexpected arrival IN the
! city WHAT was more he would proh.
3 ably be engaged within a month tn ono
of the richest millionaire debutantas
! SO far no reporter had interyiewad
) him, but II Lucille would como -
( Mary's house that afternoon she copld
get a "corking interview" Iord
Brandon having been Mary's brother.
friend In London, was now An i,.,,
mate OF the James family
Lucille was all interest The edi.
tor Of the Morning Planet alvava wo,