The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-10

great, &c o ~ 49,
farmhouse; now,
though she could not give up her work
and return to the farm. she could at
least lay plot which, if successful,
would fill the dear old lady's life brim.
full Of happiness and companionship;
she could find some little slum waif
for her to adopt!
OF course diplomacy would have to
be exercised. Aunt 10 was stubbornly
averse to changes.
And what story could be more pa
thetic than that of the home life Of
her washerwoman's youngest? Yes,
little pale-faced, neglected. Jimmie
Mulligan was the very child for the
role! Mrs. Mulligan, widow with
nine children, overworked and dis
couraged trying to keep bread on the
table, would be only too thankful to
settle one of her brood SC comfort
ably in life. Indeed, she would let
him 60 from her with a prayer OF
thanks.
And so she did Not one week after
the conception of the plan, Celia and
Jimmie were stepping from train in
Trellisville.
A few moments later they were
stepping from the vehicle before
Aunt JOS door "Auntie! Oh, Auntie!"
she called, bursting open the front
door.
Speeches. with surprise. Aunt 10
came down the stairs When she
caught sight Of Jimmie she stopped
short.
Spots she exclaimed starting
back. It's measles!"
Measles" Celia echoed. "Oh,
dear" she walled. And I've done
this awful thing! Don't you think
can get him back home before he Is
really sick?'
A whitening look from Aunt 10 SUI.
feed to silence her.
"Dr. White-Yes, the new doctor
No, don't know his number" Celia
heard her saying. In short time she
had taken Jimmie upstairs and put
him to bed, and Celia was hudded
miserably on the hatrack seat in the
darkest corner of the hall
1t was here that the young doctor
found her crying when he came down
from the sick room an hour later.
why! What's this!' he exclaimed
in surprise. Well how do you do?
What's the matter?' Plainly, he had
heard about this member Of the fam.
ily-and her works.
Tearfully, Celia looked up into his
kind eyes.
Is it really measles?' she snuffed
I'm sorry to say that it is"
Again she buried her head Forget
ting him completely, she voiced her
woes.
The young doctor sat down on the
seat beside her. Kindly his hand fell
on her arm, he echoed in kind, puz-
zled voice, Come; tell me all about
it, What do you mean"
Gratefully she poured her troubles
into his sympathetic ear. 1t had
seemed to her that no one in the
world could ever feel swmpathetically
toward her again-that all tho world,
along with Aunt 10, must be displeas-
ed with her.
Wait" he said. Perhaps you have
done good, after all No sincere effort
is ever wasted. She seemed pretty
happy, up there, tucking t he bed
clothes in about that little kiddie-
she may grow SO fond OF him that
you'll find you couldn't have planned
things better"
Day after day, she lowered in the
lower hall to catch the young doctor
as he came down from the sick room,
and ask him eagerly for news.
Does she really seem fond of him.
she would inquire daily. do you
think she'll want to keep him."
Then, one day, she had news for
him.
What do you think" she cried.
Aunt 10 has asked me to write TO
Jimmie's mother to find out if she can
keep him"
"Of course" he said. Whatever
you do must turn out well. | knew
this would" He stopped a moment,
hesitated. then plunged on. "Of !
course know there's no use In my |
saying what I'm going to say to you
| know your heart is broken-but I've |
got to say 1t, just the same: | love
you and want you. Oh, little girl,
couldn't you stop living for others and |
live just for me?"
Slowly look of wonder dawned In |
her eyes. For long, long, time she
stood looking up at him. Then softly, |
breathlessly, she answered him
no, | could never stop living for
others; it is too beautiful. | think |
my little transient heart break was
sent me just to- teach me the beauty
Of it. Buff you love me, and really
want mel might live for you, too"