The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-02-04
Ruse OF SISTER JEAN
BY MARTHA M'CUllOcr.WIL.
LIAMS.

at sOmething-something that rouset
him to anger He flung his book hall
way across the desk in front Of him
got up laggardly, and said. balancing
himself with both hands upon thu
desk-tOp:
Patches are premeditated DOW
erty. You know that-yet you dc
worse than patch. Is this the third OF
fourth time you've made over thai
hat?. I'm sick of seeing it-of seeing
! you messing with it, A new one
much better looking, would cost only
a couple of dollars believe you in
sist upon trimming such things your
self
Correct! Every way" Jean an
swered impassively. Il am not in love
with my hat-making-nor even with
my own way of trimming. Maybe
might be if"
If what?' Wingfeld asked almost
savagely as she paused.
She smiled at him-rather a hard
smile but wstiul. Il was about to
say if could buy the things | like :
rather than the things | can afford
she said
You mean those poodle-dog feath-
ers that fly in the face of everybody %
Wingtield queried.
She shook her head, saying, mo
praise be. Willow plumes don't tempt
me in the least But | would like
say for this summer-a real fine straw
the seven-dollar sort, as pliable as
cloth almost and very rich broad pa!o
purple velvet for bow and trail OF
orchids. say just the thing yester-
day-fOr seventeen dOllars-and u
Paris tip, inside the crOwn-to make
believe it cam" from there"
Go get it," Wingfeld ordered, pull
ing roll of bills from his pocket and
tossing them to her.
She did not touch the money. She
looked at him steadily, smiling still
that old smile Il have never yet put
the rent into tinery." she said, drop
ping her eyes.
Wingheld scowled. Il am begin
ming to believe it might better for US
if you did" he said. You're not bit
bad-looking but nobody wants a
dOwdy anywhere. That's how you're
left out of things. have to go-it is
part of the game to be seen right
and things are slow enough as 1t is"
II have not complained" Jean said
calmly 1T is not very-exhilarating
eating bread and cheese in the kitch.
en- alone, when you are with your
friends. Still, somehow would rath
or stick to the bread and cheese They
do not bore me-not anything like the
gang which haunts those table d'hote
places"
Jean has risen. hat in hand. She
turned to the mirror and set it upon
her head, speculation in her eyes, a
stronger frown underneath the brim.
1T looks like last years bird
nest" she commented. tossing it 70
the ceiling and catching it askew.
Nobody would believe | was once a
fielder, though a substitute" she said
with faint twinkle. DO you re-
member the game Tim? Out in the
back lott was just thirteen and
gawky as young calf-but could
run-and had the only pair OF real
legs left available
Il remember WE'LL" Tim nodded.
THAT was a game sure. Accident
was epidemic-ten of our noble team,
canned with sprained legs. arms,
shoulders what not. but not one
could have caught the fly you did-it
saved the game for us. That reminds
me- met Treptow last week-and al
most the first thing he said was:
Where is that sister Of yours? The
girl Of the ay?'"
You didn't tell him-of course"
Jean said quietly.
Wingfeld looked down. You know
I can't tell people" he said almost
fretfully. IL they knew I've kept
house they'd expect--O! hang It!
You know why"
Perfectly" Jean said. "You are
ashamed to seem poor-you'd mind
that worse. much worse. than being
poor. You like to be liberal mind
I don't say extravagant. Since you
earn most Of the money. you have Q
right to spend il as you choose. I
have never complained-I never shall.
But this ask-if BILLY Treptow
comes In your way again-ask him
here to dinner"
Ask him. When he has all the rich
folk running after him, Don't YOU
know that" Wingfield demanded.
Jean nodded. but persisted. Ask
him. know he'll come-if you tell
him am to be cook"
Somehow Wingfield did ask Rilly. |
In fact. he could not very we'll escape
1t. because Billy developed suddenly q
turn OF Inquiry that quickly brought |
out the facts. Jean was In the city
keeping house for her brother-Billy |
straightway demanded the address. |
Wingfield went home lasgardly II
was late when he got there-too late
for anything but a hurried cbon,. 10 |