The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-13
LADY OF THE LABEL
BY DOROTHY BLAcKMORE.


IN remarkably short time he climbed
from the retail to the wholesale dis
trlct and later his clever business acu-
men placed him among the noted i'm
porters OF foreign delicacies.
During his only trip to the continent
ne had discovered a little community
OF people tucked away In sunny Italy.
Inc grapes they grew were marvellous
and without loss of time Barker had
contracted for the entire output In the
form OF raisins. He put new brand
on the market, pushed and advertised
II with vigor the result Of which
made the little band Of workers under
the Italian skies open their eyes. In
cidentally it filled their purses with
the golden Ira.
Barker noted, with commentator,
to the packers, that in proportion to
his increased demand for raisins, the
packages improved in daintiness and
artistically designed labels.
The first shipment that came with
new label brought an excitement
OF admiration from Barker. There
was a most bewitching face smiling
/ at him from medallionehaped
wreath Of flowers. He realized that
the Italian workers had anticipated
his desire and that the label was more
attractive than any he himself could
have designed
1t was unique, the rapidity with
which Barker fell a victim to the smil-
ing face that greeted him from each
package of raisins that he imported.
The very first consignment had
prompted him to remove one photo
Autograph and put it in an antique
gold frame that adorned his desk.
The correspondence from his raisin
shippers improved with the label. The
old, long-hand scrawls were replaced
by concise, businesslike communica-
tons neatly typed on an upto-date
machine. Barker's interest was so
great in this last step toward progress
that he was compelled to write per-
sonal letter commencing the Italian
workers on their improved Office staff
and methods. Also he made delicate
inquiry as to the personality Of the
Lady of the Label.
He waited eagerly for reply to his
letter. Nor was he in any way disap-
pointed, for return mail brought him
an answer.
Senorita Gamboza herself wrote in
reply to all his questions. First she
gave him an outline of the daily life
of the busy little community; that was
followed by prettily worded thanks
for all that Senior Barker had done
in the way of advancing prosperity to
them. Finally she gave him the in
formation for which he hungered He
read the paragraph over second
time.
Il would have you know that my
dear father conceived the idea of max
ing me his partner. He sent me to
London to take a course in English
and commerce at the Pitt institute
and | now do the correspondence
which the senior was good enough to
praise. The Lady of the Label, as
Senior Barker POLITICALLY put 1t, is none
other than my humble self. 1t was
my fathers wish that adorn the
product that has been so good to US.
He bids me thank you for the part you
have played SO generously"
The letter was signed Maria Gam
boza. Barker became more than ever
possessed with the idea Of meeting
the girl. He longed to look into the
original Of those smiling eyes and he
determined to take long-contemplat-
ed vacation and sail for Italian shores.
When he left his office he took the
photograph from his desk and put 1t
carefully in his suitcase.
It was on the eastern slope Of the
Apennines that the Gamboza villa
Law. As Barker made his way through
the gardens he marveled at the still
ness until he remembered 1t to be the
siesta hour OF the afternoon.
Very suddenly the homogeneous
sound Of typewriter keys. clicking rap
idly. smote his ear. He followed the
direction whence the sound came and
found himself facing a summer house
set amidst a clump Of Towering shub-
berry. The typewriter stopped and
Young girl stood framed in the vine
hung door.
Had the Lady Of the Label really
appeared? Barker caught swift
breath. The girl was smiling even as
did the face on the label.
I'VE have no need of an introduc-
ton" 1t was the girl who spoke first,
and her slim hand was extended and
her full red lips parted over row OF
pearly teeth. 81 remember the Senior
Barker as If it were but yesterday
that he visited our home"
Barkers kindly smile came to his
rescue.
81 did not know that you-that-
welI-I have not seen you before" he
said
81 was very young when you came.
The sencr did not SO much as glance
IN nv direction at that time" she said.
81 an going to make up for my neg