The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-25

| WhoI LILO leIllS were.
Carton looked down into the face
of an exceedingly pretty girl and
flashed glance at the cars ahead. In
an instant he comprehended the stu
alton. Dollar an hour he said gruf-
fly, touching his leather cap with what
he congratulated himself was good
imitation of chauffeur's salute.
Il shall want you about three
hours she said simply, and waited
while he sprang down and opened
the door in the back of the tonneau.
In another moment they were speed
ing up the street.
Turn down the next street to 274,"
she ordered, and obediently Carton
drew up. Il want to send my mother
out for a drive" she said sweetly.
Give her a good view of the city and
keep the rest for yourself"
She ran up the steps, while Carton
stared blankly at the five-dollar bill
she had thrust into his hand.
A few moments later down the
steps came one of the most eccentric
| figures he had ever seen. Her clothes
bore the stamp of seasons gone be-
| fore.
She fixed herself comfortably In the
seat, and with a querulous Don't 60
too fast, young man" they started.
1t was torture to Hugh to skim
through the residential district with
this old figure in the tonneau, and
more than one surprised glance fol-
lowed the automobile and the oddly
! assorted pair. Even the hope of being
able to win the old lady's favor van
ished when after several attempts to
engage her in conversation she leaned
forward and in her high-pitched voice
said Its no use to talk to me
young man; I'm deaf and | wish you
would not turn round; you make me
nervous; you can't see where you are
going"
He heaved a sigh of relief when
at last he deposited her before her
own door and was free to escape.
It was late when he entered the
Howells' drawing-room that evening.
| The butler was just announcing din.
ner and there was barely time to
make hurried greeting to his hostess
and offer his arm to his companion
for the dinner.
Before each plate on the long table
stood characteristic favor and the
laughter was long and loud when he
picked up the tiny silver and gilt
cigarette holder fashioned In the form
of an automobile that stood at his
plate. The laughter became shrek
when on lifting the lid he discovered
five-dollar bill in stage money.
AS bravely as he could, he
faced the storm of laughter and jeer-
ing remarks which followed, but not
until he caught sight Of Howell at
the other end of the table, fairly con-
vulsed with mirth, did he discover
the secret Of his undoing, for beside
the Joker, red and unsmiling, was his
fare of the morning.
When they had all returned to the
drawing-room balm was poured upon
his wounded feelings, for the girl
came up to him.
Il want to apologize to you, Mr..
Carton" she said bravely, for my
innocent completely in the joke my
, cousin has played upon you.
81 am Mabel Norton, Fred's cousin,
and it was he who pointed you out to
me and recommended you as the most
. careful of the public drivers. / assure
you that | had no idea that he was
playing a joke upon you"
1T is all right" said Carton. Il was
playing a joke upon you, you see.
had no business to do it, but-well,
he went on, lamely, Il thought that
maybe-after q while-I might be able
to tell you that you were my guest
and not my fare, anyway-perhaps-
we'll. I hope your mother enjoyed the
ride"
ooh, that is what they are laughing
at. You see, my mother was not at
home when l got back, and | sent my
old nurse for a ride 1t was the fact
that you had been trapped into taking
her that made them think 1t 80
funny"
From an inner recess of his card
case Carton drew forth hve-dollar
bill, wrapped in tissue paper. Al
any rate" he said gravely. i hope
YOU will let me return this
You have surely earned It, she
said flushing slightly as she saw the
care he had taken of it. Il do-do
not want it. :,
Won't you exchange It, he sale
boldly, for that rose?"
, She unfastened the blossom she was
wearing in her hair. With inhnlt'
, care he folded it in the tissue paper
and placed it where the bill had been
81 feel like an extortioner," he sale
simply. but there was that in the tone
which spoke volumes.