The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-30

beside young girl modestly attired.
She presented vivid contrast in her
plain but scrupulously clean dress to
the fashionably attired misses about
her. AS he lifted his hat and sat
down beside the young lady he heard
the tittering, sheering words:
Little Miss Dimity!"
The girl heard it, too, flushed a
trifie and then paid no farther atten.
ton to it. Ernest did not feel war
wanted in addressing her. He could
not help but notice, however, the
neatly mended gloves his seat mate
wore, the somewhat shabby handbag
in her lap. Suddenly there was a jar,
the car stopped. Inside Of five min
utes those aboard knew that a wreck
ahead would block the route for at
least four hours, with no station
within ten miles.
The petty natures of the fashionable
crowd were soon manifested in loud
complaints and abuse of the trainmen.
The demure, dignified girl in the dim
ity dress took in the delay and ncon-
venience Ike the little lady that she
VAS. Somehow a conversation began
between them. Then Ernest brought
her drink of water from a near
farmhouse. 1t was nearly midnight
when they reached Hartville. He Sc
cured cab at her request They
parted, but with q queer longing at
his heart Ernest Brill realized that it
would be many a day before he would
forget Little Miss Dimity."
He recalled with vivid memory
the sweet, sympathetic face of the i'm.
pressiole young girl when she listened
to the story of old Mr. Naylor which
had drifted into their casual CONVEX.
satiOn. 1t was ten o'clock the next
morning when Ernest reached the An.
drews home.
"Mr. Andrews-Mr. John Andrews"
he spoke to the servant who answered
his summons at the door.
why, sir, have you not heard?"
asked the servant with a strange
stare" Mr.. Andrews died last week"
"You startle me-" exclaimed Ernest
quite shocked at the unexpected intel.
ligence. 1T was on business that j
came. Can you direct me to those in
charge Of his estate?"
"Yes, sir. Mr.. Mallory, his lawyer,
Is in the library with Miss Nelson
She is a distant relative Mr.. Andrews
left his estate to, sir"
please take in my card"
This way SIR" spoke the servant a
moment later, and Ernest was usher
ed into the presence Of dignitied
looking gentleman and-Little Miss
Dimity!"
He stood somewhat dumbfounded
He recalled his conversation with the
welcoming young lady before him with
some misgivings. Then he regained
his self.composure.
II have come to offer this agree
ment in behalf of Mr.. Naylor." he said,
but, as I have told you all about It. !
. further explanation is not necessary
I will guarantee the payments named
in the document"
Miss Ada Nelson accepted the paper |
She glanced at the lawyer. He nodded
as If from some prearranged under |
standing. Miss Nelson placed the pa |
per in the blazing crate. where It wa
consumed to ashes.
you are noble man" said Miss
Nelson. extending her hand impetu
ously. I'VE must cast the veil Of
charity over the harsh judgment Of
my dead uncle. Let me help you IN |
making still more secure and happy !
the worthy man you 80 generously be
friended."
And, their young, glowing hearts In
unison with human sympathy, soon
merged into the deeper ecstacy Of mu |
tual love.
Copyright. 1913. by W. @. Chapman)