The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-01

Jones, and Jones, with his $50 a week,
as head OF the department, would Ger
tainly consider that ostrich plume
only a means to an end. Miss Har-
rison had heard many things about
Jones during her nine years.
Wont Mr.. Merrick give you that
plume, my dear?" she asked Belle.
Everybody knew that Belle was sup.
posed to be engaged to Frank Mer.
rick, one of the clerks. But out Of
$12 a week 1t is difficult for a man
to buy his fiancee an ostrich plume.
Him." said Belle. laughing scorn.
fully. why. that fellows just a
skate" She looked down at the cheap
little ring he had given her. He
hasn't no money, Miss Harrison" she
continued.
But thought you we're engaged
to him. my DEAR said Miss Har-
rison.
Belle laughed derisively.
Il guess he's just good for the NOV.
ies,'" she said. mo, Miss Harrison,
I'm too wise to fall for married life In
furnished rooms"
If only you could know that you
are just foolish grill" thought the
other, but she refrained from speech.
She could no dothing, in fact-did
nothing until a few nights later, when
she saw Belle and Mr.. Jones in earn.
est consultation outside q milliner's
window on street much frequented
by shoppers. They were laughing,
and Belle was pointing to magnifl-
cent hat, with long. dropping plume.
the whole creation being marked
$24.90.
Miss Harrison's mind was made up
quickly. She. too, had been through
similar temptations, but she was Of
stronger fiber than Belle. She detain-
ed her next evening. under some pre-
text, until the rest Of the girls had
gone home. Then she accompanied
her to the room in which they
dressed.
Belle, want you to come home
with me tonight" she said.
Il can't, Miss Harrison" said the
girl.
Why not, my dear?'
Il have a date" said the otner,
pertly slipping into her coat and NOV
Ing toward the door. Miss Harrison
turned the key.
You are going to meet Mr.. Jones"
she said
Bellies eyes widened with alarm.
She looked at the locked door.
Suppose | am she faltered. you
open that door at once, Miss Har.
rison," she continued angrily. What
business is it of yours?"
You shall not meet him." answered
Miss Harrison. He is married
man.
open that door or shall scream for
help. Who are you to tell me who
l shall meet?"
My DEAR" said Miss Harrison sad.
ly, unlocking the door, you can go II
you must. But you need a friend more
just at this moment than you have
ever NEEDED one."
Belle halted. and the ready tears
gushed from her eyes. She sank into
q chair. II am so miserable" she
sobbed.
Miss Harrison knelt beside her.
"Tell me about 1t, Belle" she said.
'I.'s all right for you. with your
$780," sobbed the girl. II Just set my
heart on having plume. and can't
ever save the money. And he-he
promised me one II l would just have
supper with him-what's the harmr'
Belle, do you know the history Of
those ostrich plumes?" Miss Harrison
asked. We'll, listen. then. Those
fine. long, knotted feathers are tied
by poor girls, poorer than you, by
day and night, to adorn vain women's
hats. But the girls who make them.
they know they'd rather toll and labor
than wear them and lose their souls
and the respect of men and women.
It's only silly, thoughtless women who
put an ostrich feather above their
characters. Belle. dear yaa' ore Org L lec,7+s1