The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-25

behind her.
"Sit down, Kit.
tie, and-make yourself right at home,
won't you?" begged her rugged host, a
bit flustered
I-er-I suppose you're kind Of sur
prised to see me round here-ain't
you?" remarked the caller, seating her
self.
"Yes-kind Of. You see, amt seen
Observation-Disclosures died."
II wouldn't be here now, maybe" fall
tered the woman, eff it wasn't that
Il"
Don't hold back, Kittie," cut in the
man encouragingly. liant got much
myself, but If IL can help you out.
just say the word"
Kittie Driscoll's heart gave bang.
ing thump. A choking feeling gripped
her.
Il amt needin' anything. Frank"
she said in a frmer voice. ITS some
thin else wanted to speak to you
about. It's concerning the trouble
that's been on down to the shop,
THROWN you and the rest of the boys
out Of work. for the last three months.
It's been mighty tough winter. and
Il know tie hit you pretty hard.
Frank"
Some ones been kiddin' you." he
said. forcing smile. Tin all hunky.
dory, even II l amt been workin' for
some time. You see, l had a nice lit
tie piece Of money banked away when
the row came. But. anyway, it's mighty
nice Of you to drop in and pay an old
friend social call when things amt
what they ought to be. That's the
only time when you can find out who's
your real friends"
Eyes, know" said his caller. feel.
ing his evasiveness, "but came here
today to square myself for dirty turn
! once done you"
The woman cast look into the next
room where Maggie's anemic children
lay in bed asleep.
Then she said impulsively, firmly:
when Jack died got 5000 from The
insurance company. Frank, there's no
use you tryin' to bluff me. We're cid.
time friends and can talk right cut
open and above board. 1t hurts me to
say it, but know how things stand
with you, and that you're hard-up for
fair. So I've come ~ lend you the
two hundred until things pick up"
She showed package Of greenbacgs
quickly across the table. you CAN
pay it back when you're workin'
again."
kit" choked the man, his eyes
blinking. II hardly know how to thank
you. But I'm all right, amt needin'
anything"
Frank Porter" she returned, her
voice ringing sweetly, you and me
was always good friends, back in the
old days. So don't you say another
wordt but just you take this money
and use it for yourself and The kids.
It's needed and needed bad I'm a
woman, and know"
"Kittie," he began, his voice husky,
"you was always Maggies best friend.
My poor little kid" he gulped. blink
ing painfully, she's better off now.
Kittie you know 1t amt for myself I'm
worryin' about-but for my two little
girls. And-since you've been so kind
as to want to help me out for little
while. wouldn't be for imposin' on
you, so-if you don't Mindful borrow
about ten dollars"
mo, no, take it all, Frank; 1t amt
no good to me-" she urged, rising
quickly. "Good-by and good luck to
you"
you amt goln' so soon, are you,
Kittie?" cried the man, checking her
at the door. "Why-I-I amt even had |
time to have little talk with you.
Stay while. won't you?"
"Yeth, Please stay" Unexpectedly |
chirped tot Of four years, who had.
unseen, crawled out Of her warm bed.
"Stay--I likes you"
How're the children been?" fal.
tered the woman through misty eyes,
kissing pair Of tiny, pouting lips.
Pretty good" returned the father
brokenly. There amt no one to give
them the right kind of attention, al.
though my old mother does the best
she can when she can be here. They're
delicate. just like Maggie was. They
need mothers care badly. Some one
-" He stopped abruptly. "Kittie." he
went on again in a moment, you and
me and Maggie was always the best of
friends, back in the old days The
kids here-Maggie's own flesh and
blood-ain't got no one to give them
the right kind of care. They need some
one to be mother to them"
The woman's eyes met those of the
man in sudden inquiry. 'You-you-
you amt askin'-?"
"Yes, Kittie." His voice rang man.
fully though he brushed a mist from
his eyes. 81 ask you to promise to be.
come my wife as soon as go back to
work again"
"She said yeth to herself, papai"
cried out the child, jumping gleefully,
her face radiant with joy.