The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-30
POOR PETERS new Inn
By BELLE X. MANDATES.


the strictest of surveillance by a puri-
tanical father When she was nine
teen years of age great change came
in her fortunes. Her father died sud
denly insolvent. A far-removed cous-
in gave the young daughter board and
lodgings but the household was Of an
entirely different type from the class
of people among whom the young girl
had been brought up. After the
lapse of year she determined t. seek
employment that would enable her to
change her environment. She was on
the point Of carrying this into effect
when she received visit from a for
mer friend of her father, Peter Wes-
ley, man of wealth and prominence.
He had been in a distant part of
the country at the time of Austin De-
mars death, and had not known OF
the almost destitute circumstances in
which Katherine had been left
Katherine he said very gently, i
love you dearly, and | am asking you
to marry me without the hope that
my affection is returned. But If you
will only consent, will give you all
the Injuries to which you have been
accustomed and mans protection.
Consider the difference between
sheltered, luxurious life, and the buff
feting Of workingwoman's existence
for which you are not fitted
1t did not take Katherine long to de.
eide. She accepted the life of ease
and married Peter who was forty-five
years of age and quite unlike her girl
ish ideals.
They went to Paris for two months.
Upon their return to Wesleys town
house, the young bride, beautiful,
wealthy and accomplished, was SO
feted and sought after that her head
was completely turned.
Peter, big and noble of heart, con-
tinued to worship from afar and plan
for her pleasures and happiness. Their
trend Of life ran in opposite directions.
Katherine gave herself entirely to SO
cial pleasures, and Peter, who was a
philanthropist, began to interest him
self in promoting the candidacy OF a
governor who he knew would bring
about needed legislation.
M dow ~ cnnkp
casually to Katherine of her husbands
pet hobby being realized.
What is that?" she asked Pol
tics"
"Oh, no." was the reply. Il re-
ferred to the inn for self-supporting
women that he established, you
know"
Yes" said Katherine vaguely, as
she fastened to change the subject.
It's very bad taste, she acknoWl-
edged to herself on the way home, Ito
be SO ignorant of what ones husband
is doing. | must get posted"
The next morning an item regarding
the new inn caught her attention and
recalled her ignorance on the subject
I'll 60 there this morning and find
out about it," she decided.
She stopped on the way to spend
a few moments at an exhibition OF
pictures She was in an alcove when
she overheard Peters name men
toned. She recognized the voices OF
an elderly couple who were friends OF
her husband.
Poor Peter" the woman was say
ing. Il always feared he would gel
just the type of a wife he has
Katherine fled. her cheeks flushed
THE idea of their plying Peter"
she thought, when every one says
he was so fortunate to win me-
A very young and very pretty girl
opened the door of the new inn when
Katherine rang
II am Mrs Wesley" she said af
fably y wonder if | might be per
mitted to 60 through the inn
"Oh, of course." exclaimed the girl
II will be so glad to show you through
| have a day off | am glad it hap
pened today as | have so wanted tc
see you
Katherine followed into dainty lit
tie room furnished in blue and white
isn't this lovely?" gushed the girl
I've been cooped up for two years If
hall bedrooms, and to get in a place
like this, Well, it's some living"
MAY sit down and talk to your
asked Katherine.
Sure"
Il want to know all about the place
Whose idea it was and how it is sup
ported. its object"
Hasn't Mr. Wesley told your
asked the girl.
He doesn't like to talk about the
things he does" evaded Katherine. "I
want to hear it from you
You know he is terribly interested
in working girls and their lives, ant
he's always thought of a place like
this where they could pay just what
they would at boarding house ant
yet have all these comforts and lux
uries and not be on charity Mr.. Yves
ley planned it and started the list Of
contributors with ten times more thar
any one else gave"
II must go" said Katherine finally
Il have enjoyed this little visit, ant
I'll come often"
The next night Peter came home