The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-04
sCEN1|NG A ROMANCE
BY JANE COLLINS.

pinning remnant price tags on DIFF
ferent lengths Of ribbon.
"Who-me?" answered the young
woman at the lace with the extremely
blonde hair. Why?"
"Oh, I didn't know" re3oined the
girl at the ribbons. "Of course there
was Chris'muA You might have had
It ever since then and I not noticed
It. only asked"
Whatever are you talking about?'
cried the girl at the lace with elab
crate carelessness. Really, Julia
M'ree, ! don't see how you expect
folks to understand you when you
don't talk plainer!"
Il never was any hand to crowd
In" explained the girl at the ribbons.
III my friends can't tell me things
I don't want to know-not me!
never did like to be curious about
other peoples business and you know
1t. Only l thought I'd ask. Diamond
rings don't grow on bushes for the
picking! You can't blame person
for noticing a headlight like that"
"Oh!" said the girl at the lace with
faint blush. II didn't know you
had seen it. couldn't imagine what
you meant. Goodness--why make a
fuss over a simple thing like that!"
The girl pinning ribbons gave a sort
Of choked crow. "Simple!" she
echoed. We'll, diamonds aren't so ter.
ribly simple. You talk as though you
used them instead of gravel for your
walks around your p'latial estate, Hat
tie Doggett! OF course II people no
better'n ! am choose to put on airs
that's their own affair! Only my
father Is a city ofiicial instead Of just
q clerk like yours. He's policeman,
and he's taught US not to put on dog!
Just remember he says to US often,
that people will find out fast enough
the position hold without you kids
boasting about 1t and don't act as
though you were better'n other folks!
Be kind to them!'
None of our family would 60
around pretending diamonds was the
dirt under our feet, though the land
knows we could have diamonds If we
wanted EN-! Not that we'd be so fool
ish as to spend hard earned money
for foolishness like that"
Il think" said the extremely blonde
young woman at the lace. that you
are very sensible. Julia Mree. Land
knows when a girl Is SO homely she
hasn't any chance Of marrying she is
wise to save up for her old age! Not
that I'm saying bought my ring
myself"
II don't suppose you did," said her
friend. Il never supposed you ever
saw so much money at one time in
your life! It's awful. being so i'm.
provident! Well, II you didn't buy It
l suppose some one gave 1t to you
and must say that what any girl can
see in that sappy. weak-eyed pinhead
Of q Percy Fox that hoorwalks in the
next aisle but one Is beyond me! I'm
sorry for the girl that ties up to him
"A two room nat for her for the rest
Of her life."
"Ye-es" agreed the blonde young
woman at the lace, languidly. Il don't
think much Of Percy myself"
oh" said the girl at the ribbons,
somewhat blankly. Then he didn't
give 1t to you? l don't like to pry,
but l must say have my opinion Of
q girl who keeps her affairs from her
best friends and never talks about
her steady company. I've told you all
about Oscar long ago, and you never
saying word! Any child would
know that q fellow who gives a girl
. diamond ring expects to marry her!
l don't suppose III even be invited
to the wedding! Not that I care-but
l must say It's a shabby way to treat
an old friend!
Il don't want you to think care
In the least, Hattie Doggett. about
your affairs! don't want. to know
about your feenonsay, for he's not Of
the slightest consequence to me! I
have plenty Of interesting things hap
pening to myself to take up my time.
Only = girl can't be very proud Of .
man she's ashamed to talk about even
II he can afford to give her diamond
rings, which isn't saying they're In
good taste when they're as big as q
chunk Of ice!"
You make me laugh" said the
blonde young woman, turning her
hand so that the stone in question
caught the rays Of the arc light above,
1t does sparkle, doesn't It! I'd just
20 soon tell you as not about the
ring. Julia M'ree. Ny kid sister got It
In . stocking full Of candy and pop.
corn and truck at a party and maybe
1t cost 10 cents. wore II Just for
fun"
HIM! suspiciously smiled the girl
who was pinning tags on ribbons.
Why didn't you say SO before? I
don't believe you at all Hattie Dog.
gett-and bet you're ashamed OF
him!"