The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-26
CAME FROM farm
Utility Girl Was Also From coun.
try, and Became Wife Of
Good Customer.
ev SUSANNA GLENN.

Lucy Lane was sort Of utility cir
at Madam Lorimer's establishment
Most Of her time was spent in TIL
back room ripping trimmings from
hats that needed altering. or chans
ing the length Of garments.
Lucy did not often get a chance L
wait on customers. Her face was tot
thin and colorless to be pretty, ant
she wore unlovely. serviceabl'
dresses: Madam liked to have every
thing in her establishment exQuisitelJ
sweet and attractive.
But Lucy did not complain. Sh(
was only too thankful for the situa
ton a. It stood. anu wondered why
Madame kept her at all. She wal
too modest to realize the value o.
her painstaking service.
She was thankful. to. for her mis-
cradle little hallbedroom. because che
had always been able to keep bel
room to herself.
But even with this fund Of thank
fulness" 1t her command, Lucy
would have had Z hard time II It had
not been for her dreams!
When the back room or the hail.
bedroom became insu6erably hot and
breathless. she dreamed about the
green grass. the waving trees, the ~
freshing breeses Of her beloved coun'
tn where she had spent early year,
Of her life.
When the rumble Of drays and the
crash Of cars made her head throb,
she dreamed Of the drowsy afternoons
filled with the droning Of bees and
crickets. and the croaking Of frogs as
twilight.
When her fingers were blue with
cold, she dreamed Of the cracking Of
fragrant wood fires and the warmth
Of yellow lamplight.
Then. quite Unexpectedly one day, .
new impetus was added to them. She
was standing near the front door wait.
Ing for q dress that needed altering.
when q man entered and looked about
uncertainty.
The face above his neat, white col.
lar was rudy from sun and wind.
with a white band across the fore
head where his hat gave protection.
Everything about him. from his fine,
steady eyes to his easy. plain suit Of
gray wool spoke to Lucy Of the coun.
try, and when their eyes met. she
smiled unconsciously. a. upon .
friend
Can you wait on me?" inquired the
man. stepping forward.
"One OF the other girls will know
more about things" suggested Lucy,
modestly.
but ! prefer YOU" he smiled. You
see, I'm not just sure what l do
want. and l know you will not laugh
at me. 1t may seem ridiculous, but
do you know it Is very disconcerting
to be laughed at under such cir
cumstances?
Il promise you not to laugh said
Lucy. Now tell me what you wish
"All sorts Of things for q baby Z
year old. Yes. everything. he seems
to be about out Of everything. Yes.
he lives In the country. and needs
just everyday things, you know. And
not too many white things-his moth.
er is pretty busy"
Lucy smiled, and made suggestions.
The man bought lavishly.
There, | think that will d." he
agreed at last Il never would have
thought about his outgrowing them.
Now. couple Of suits for dress-up,
and l guess 1t will do.
Never had Lucy made up Z box with
greater care. She almost felt like
under the cover herself for
The sake Of getting back to the
That evening she was happy think.
Ing about the baby with bic store Of
new things. The autumn wind that
ratified the loose frame OF her win.
low 80 dismally would make music in
The chimney before which the mother
would be trying on the little gar.
ments.
To Lucy's delight, the man came
lgain to Madame Lorimers. She vas
n the back room bent almost double
'ver a bit Of dark sewing In the dim
autumn afternoon. but he asked for
her. and Madame called her. we'll
pleased.
1T is the little girl this time" he
laid. "She is four years old and rath.
r small for her age. I wanted to
'ring her along. but her mother
hought 1t was too cold. I came to Won
gain, because you did so we'll by me
'efore-the little fellow has looked
. fine as q king all winter!"
Lucy flushed witu pleasure and ex.
'itement while she picked out sensi.
lie little rompers and Bingham frocks
md stout stockings. followed by the
|ainty white frocks and frilly petit. |
oats dear to every child's heart
You had better tell me your name.- |
ussested the man, as he prepared to
cave. I'm liable to have to come
gain. and I'd like to know whom IN
sk for. Ny name 10 Richard ralk.
es."
Il Used to know Of FAlkners when