The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-05
THE PEOPLE BACK HOME
BY JESSIE FAKTER.


! hair as she dug out section of grape
fruit daintily.
Z This is nothing but cornstarch
! sweetened, anyway" answered her
friend. Il do hope things will be de-
cent l ordered luncheon here in the
railroad station so that we need waste
, no part of our two precious hours
hunting a more delectable spot. Har.
rvs thoughtful business engagement
gives me chance to hear all about
!. this splendid good fortune of yours
and Harrys. was SO glad to hear it.
Tell me how it hapuened!
First, how am looking?" asked
: the wife of the new president of the
Firefy Match company.
very lovely, indeed Claret colored
clothes always did suit you"
"Never word about I always did
: like that suit You are dear"
laughed her friend. "You saw it last
: year But gave it so little wear. And
this winter have needed it not at all
in California. That was a wonderful
trip, dear SO | am wearing it back
: home bravely-comfortab for the
first time in five years"
1T is perfect ard raved about it
last year. !'ut you know | am always
expecting to see some unusua! creation
when you telegraph me to meet you
on your way to RidgeWood. That town
is such a dressy place that no one can
blame you. | never go back there.
That is the way ! solve the problem"
"But your relatives are no longer
there said her guest. THAT makes
all the difference. | have simply had
to go and see mother and dad once a
year. Ii it hadn't been for you to talk
to each way for two hours ! couldn't
have lived through it.
"You see," she went on, I'VE began
all wrong It was partly mothers
training. but she couldn't help that,
coming from the southern home, as
she did, and living there in Ridgewood.
We have always been paying for my
dress for Amy's reception or Harry's
tuxedo for the Waltons' dinner or
something. 1t has been foolish, of
course, for in the city we 60 to so few
full dress affairs. A tailored suit and
few dressy blouses could go almost
anywhere 60. so in the city l feel
overdressed in my Ridgewood ward.
robe.
1.-THE first summer, when we went
home, we should have taken a firm
stand, but we didn't. We had done the
best we could and were glad that sum.
mer things cost so little. Then came
that elaborate dance of the Kings at
the country club.
"You remember Richard King? Well,
so did Harry! He had come into his
uncle's money and was living up to it.
To think of me having to 60 to that
dance looking less prosperous than
Ruth King did almost broke Harry's
heart. His wedding clothes were still
perfect. but couldn't wear mine.
Mother came to the rescue. She
sent me to Nine. Gereau, who made
my wedding things. with the tale that
I could find nobody her equal in the
city and had come home for her to
make my clothes. So we went to the
dance looking wonderful-our status
veiied in white chiffon.
"The minute we got home and could
do so Harry sent mother a check. We
all but starved to do it, but he wouldn't
let It 60, and he declared that it should
never happen again. It didn't. We
have managed to go back each year in
the style demanded by Rdgowood. l
have simply hated the whole thing.
Neither has always planned far in adj
vance ana has always sent us g list of
functions she expected us to attend be.
fore we even knew that Harry could
get away They are so hospitable and
do appreciate"
1t isn't nearly so much that" broke
in her cynical friend. AS using you
FOR an excuse to outshine each other
in entertaining.
There was that side of it." admit
ted the guest, laughing,
But you talk as if it were over"
said the friend
1T is. With The death of Mr.. Holmes
and Harrys election to the presidency
and the great increase to our fortunes
our worries are over. Not the money
side of It, We have been able to stand
that part fairly well for two years
past. 1t is the reputation of the thing
that has finally rescued rs.
Mother sent us the home papers
announcing Harrys ascendancy.
Wealth comes to Ridgewood's son.
Harry Willet becomes president and
chief stakeholder of the FREELY Match
company The entire column was
fun. It was more than that-it was
emancipation. Then mother wrote US
to<come for fathers birthday and not
mind getting new clothes!
so we started last night on "a
hours notice. l begged Harry to say
that he didn't mind if didn't have a
new outfit Wear any blamed old
thing you please he said. They know
now We can afford it, so why worry?'
And don't."