The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-30
MISS PECKHAM'S BEAU
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

GV0uSC0 0AA0s oChoCSSp 0SOoSsASOOOeSt
to the women who were gathered
around ths bridge table.
you don't say SOL" exclaimed Ara
Holman. "Who is her
The new boarder," replied Mn.
Bennett. Hes the tall young man
who sits at the middle table. He took
. great fancy to Miss Peckham tho
very day he came. I'm so glad! Miss
Peckham Is one Of the finest women
at the Brownstone, and It certainly II
. shame that she never had . bean
before"
"Never had beau!"
Never" repeated Mrs. Bennett,
impressively. 'She admitted It to
me In confidence one day. l intend
to help her along all I can, and see
that she lands Mr.. Weed. for she de-
serves good husband"
Il should say she does!" agreed
one Of the other women. Lets all
put in good word for her. and then
II she doesn't land him it won't be
our fault"
That evening alter dinner Mrs.
Bennett was sitting on the front
porch Of the Brownstone alone when
young Weed made his appearance.
Good evening, Mr.. Weed" chirp
ed the gopher eyed Mrs. Bennett.
"How do you like the Brown
stone?"
Very much indeed, Mrs. Bennett
The food is good and l find the peo.
pie pleasant"
I'm SO glad to lear you say 90.
Mr.. Weed. I've lived here four years,
and l am very fond of all tho people
here. especially the young ladies. We
have such lovely young ladies' here.
don't you think SOL"
"Yes. yes. indeed" young Weed re.
piled nervously. A bachelor can never
be too wary.
Il think Miss Peckham is an espe-
ciaily fine girl" Mrs. Bennett went
on. "She is perfectly splendid and
she makes the best things in a chaflng
dish you ever tasted"
Mrs. Bennett glanced out Of the cor.
ner of her alert brown eyes to see
the effect her speech was having upon
young Weed. He was plainly moved.
70. he fingered his cane nervously and
hurried down the steps, murmuring
something about an engagement.
The next morning Mrs. Holmes met
young Weed in the hall on his way to
breakfast.
Good morning, MIR. Weed. Lovely
morning, isn't it,
Fine, fine" agreed young Weed,
standing politely aside for Mrs.
Holman to pass, but that designing
person moved not at all.
TOO bad this isn't a holiday. It
would be such lovely morning to
play golf. You know, Miss Peckham
Is an expert golfer. and you should
challenge her to a game some fine
morning."
"Yes?" spoke young Weed. inquir.
' Iu6iyp ICuuCuIu6 tItuCs OAA NV
much of a golfer myself"
Then you chould have Miss Peck.
ham take you in hand and teach you. "
insisted Mrs. Holman. I'm sure she
would love to. She Is 80 accommodate.
ing! And she has such perfect dis.
position! Really. Mr.. Weed you should
know her better"
Young Weed succeeded In driving
Mrs. Holman before him to the break
fast room, where she beamed at him
from her table across the room all
through the meal.
As young Weed stopped at the mail
box In the hall Mrs. Adams sailed
down the front stairs. elbows waving.
Looking for love letter, Mr.. Weed?'
she bantered gayly.
Not this morning, Mira. Adams. No
such good luck for me. Haven't got
. girl, you know" He smiled at her
unsuspiciously.
well, now. that's too bad, Mr.
Weed. A man with your good looks
should not have any trouble finding q
girl. II you want any help. Just lei
me know. know Of one not very far
away. She Ii dear. and I'm sure you
would like her very much II you knew
her better. There! I've let the cat
out Of the bag. for you do know her
already. Really. Mr.. Weed" she wen,
on contidentially. Miss Peckham is
one Of the most charming girls at the
Brownstone. And so versatile! She
can do anything-cook, sew. sing. con
verse intelligently. do anything
Really, you should cultivate her nc
quaintance. I'm sure you two would
be very congenial."
Young Weeds hair fairly stoot
up with alarm as he hurried away
Evidently there was . combination
to snare him.
The next afternoon Miss Peckhau
sat on the porch reading. She was
entirely unconscious of the havoc
that had been wrought by her vel
meaning friends. She looked up il
surprise as young Weed came out CT
the porch, suitcase in hand, his long
pointed nose stabbing the atmosphere
before him, Having scented danger