The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-25
DADDY, DEAR DAD
He Made Crooked Things
Straight and Opened Paths
They Knew Not.
~ NELLIE c. GILMORE.
Winona wiped her eyes and re-read
the letter. II said:


the letter 1t said:
Hollywood. Jan III.
Dear Little Gal:
'Your nice letter came last night ana
made your old Dads heart mighty giad.
II makes him feel good. Mona. to know
how Ane you are getting along with
your singing and some day gueee
you'll Be- . great star and have youS
picture IN the Sunday papsva Hos I've
could make me any proudsS.
Il want 70 como W and - - ns1t
week II can get the farm y 800 -
81. ~ I'm glad you are e11aoue ~
me = visit Chicago because ] woute1t
want = DO anything 70 make yes ~
ee0fostabls. Or take UP your tuna
by ths way. who b this young WI
ktne you keep talking about? Deo't No.
yeur heart. little girl. Your % De4
wouldn't want tn 1--we II his partner ~
linn. anyway. wont you?
The aay before I come I viii write
- you - you can b cure to meet ~
Wouldn't want to live II she isft
him! The words rang in Winona's
ear, made her heart beat with heavy
forebodins. Did he really feel that
way about II and must she % 70 her
happiness over her dear old daddy's
wretchedness! The very night before
she had promised Tom wilkins 70
marry him on the iirst Of next month.
NE thought . long time. then che
crossed tho room 70 her desk and
Wrote feverishly:
Daddy. Dear:
You asked me. and can't wait aay
ieager to ten you the truth. Tea. II 10
true that I love Tom and have promised
70 b his wife, The wilkins are splendid
people. belonging to one Of the frst
families Of the city. and Tom himself u
IN angel You will love him. I know.
He wants the marriage to take place on
the first A. he will have HE vacation
then. and we can take lovely trip to
Florida. When We come home We will
live With his mother and brother. Mrs.
wilkins 10 a widow and Tom thinks Il
Will be nice for M to he together. Then.
too. you can come and see me often.
The house II big and can make you -
comfortable. Now. please. Dad. don't let
this make you unhappy: II you only
guessed how happy am, ] know you
wouldn't.
''What do you think. dearie? I've
bought sou 4 stunning new suit-had
the tailor make Il for the wedding. OF
course I'm coming home to be married.
and I want everything to be al right
Try to come up Monday and help me buy
ny trousseam! Lovingly. MONA"
The answer came back by return
mail. Winona opened her fathers let
ter with shaking hands. Her face
flushed as she read:
'Dear Little Partner:
"Your news almost broke your olA
Dads heart hut IT'S all right-it's all
Right II you care so much for your lover
that you are sure you can't BE- happy
without him. Only I'm scared for you.
honey. The wilkins amt our kind Of
folks and yOull be made to feel II sooner
or later Not hut I don't think my IT.
tie gal ran hold a candle to anybody
II would most kill me II they started
picking on you. Rut hope your be Just
a. happy as you deserve to he. and Of
course ri come up and bring the hay
money and help You get your buds. Give
my regards 10 your Tom. Anectionately.
DAD"
Notwithstanding her Arm belief In
her ability to win the esteem and Il.
lection Of her husbands people. Vino
ma was gradually forced to realize the
awkwardness Of her position. Her Il,
Their had been right after all: nne
folks could make one very uncomfort.
able sometimes. Scarcely week had
gone BY since her marriage that she
had not been made to feel In some
fashion or other. that she was distinct
" an alien. She had borne II a. long
% she could and then gone to her hus-
band a. . last resort and asked him
II they could not have = home Of their
own.
Why" she said. here | cant even
think 40 ] choose"
His reply had been characteristic
my mother Is old and practically an
invalid, dear. could not think Of de-
serting her now, even II she 10 q bit
peculiar. Try to be q little more d.
tient."
And Winona did But by degrees
she grew bitter, resentful and finally
Jealous. In every affair. great or small.
Tom made . point Of siding with his
mother against her. yielding irs: to
the older woman's judgment and 6nd.
ing fault with bis wife for her oppo-
sition. But never q word of her uu-
happiness went home to the loving old
daddy who believed her the mos, con.
tented girl in Chicago.
Winona had just passed through
one Of the disagreeable encounter
with her mother.in.law. and the team
were standing thick on her lashes.
Her eyes were flashing and scarlet
circles throbbed In either cheek. She
crossed to one Of the windows and
Stood there long time staring into
The rose. bloomed court below. A quick.
nervous rap on the door brought her
70 herself Tom. In all likelihood.
come to rebuke her for his mothers
unreasonableness. she unused bitterly.
She went to the door and turned the
knob, Gerald wilkins sta1pered ,nto