The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-04
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DECEIT OF DEvL|N
BY FRANK CONDOR.

a small number of close friends attend
ed the pleasing ceremony.
The usual remarks we're made by
the clergyman. and the still more usu-
al ones by the spectators. after which
the newly joined pair went happily
away.
At eight o'clock in the morning of
the same day. young Mr.. Devlin was
what the newspapers would term "a
prominent young millionaire" mean
ing that he possessed large quantities
of money.
When Wall street and the banks
closed in midafternoon, Mr.. Devlin
was worth. approximately, the cost
Of the suit of clothes he wore. A
trust company had sunk with all hands
on board. carrying with 1t the Devlin
fortune.
In the cab which carried them from
the church, Lawrence looked sadly and
thoughtfully at his beaming BRIDE She
knew nothing of the financial crash.
His friends knew nothing. To all out
ward appearances he was still the
prominent young millionaire"
Dearest" Lawrence said, taking his
brides hand tenderly in his own, I'VE
are going to be very happy, are we
not?"
Eyes, Lawrence" replied Ernestine,
pressing his hand.
"And to contribute to our supreme
happiness; to provide for us an I'M
usual and unique experience, | have
thought out plan in which l am sure
you will concur. We have been accus-
toned to the good things of life; to
Injuries in every form; to servants,
automobiles, theaters, and all the
thousand little extravagances that
make life easy. But we have never
had an opportunity to try the other
sort of life-the life exactly opposed
to our own-the life of the poor What
would be a finer thing than to pre-
tend we were very poor; to live as
the poor live; to deny ourselves the
things to which we have been accus-
tomed?"
81 am sure it would be delightful"
his bride responded.
I'VE could take small fiat in the
poor part Of New York." Lawrence
continued, his enthusiasm growing.
I'VE could pretend we had scarcely
any money. buy plain but good food,
do our own housework, and study the
lives of those poverty-stricken peo-
ple."
Lawrence DEAR" said Ernestine, 81
will gladly 60 any place you go.
will do anything you do, and share
your life, no matter what happens"
"Then 1t is agreed" her husband
said.
With that decision as broad foun-
dalton, there arose far In the eastern
portion of the city small fiat. An
installment furniture company filled
it with the usual "hundred-dollar set"
at ten dollars down and two month.
Each morning the beautiful young
bride arose and prepared a frugal
meal. With her own fair hands she
washed the dishes, busted the imita-
ton oak furniture. and scrubbed the
floor. Lawrence sometimes helped
her. Coming home, he carried wood
up the four flights and deposited it by
the stove.
At nine o'clock Lawrence would go
out and buy ten cents worth Of cheese
and box of crackers and a pint of
beer They would then feast together,
laughing over the absurdity Of the
whole thing. Lawrence had said:
my dear girl. much as dislike to
be away from your side for even a
brief moment, there are certain
weighty financial matters requiring
my presence downtown. Tomorrow
shall have to be downtown very early
Shall we have breakfast at seven?"
my love-" Ernestine answered
fondly, 81 will prepare your breakfast
at six II you wish it."
So Mr.. Devlin left the fiat at hall
past seven in the morning and spent
the day looking for job He clipped
column from the morning newspa
per and hunted tirelessly. In the eve
ming he appeared for supper.
you look drawn and weary, deal
one." said his bride
il 1--WE had it hard today" said Law
renee. 'The market was panicky
They've been trying to shoot holes il
my railroad. but refused to let EN-
What have we to eat?"
'Tripe, Lawrence, dear" reptile,
Efnestine.
Promptly every morning as tn
whistles blew, young Mr.. Devlin hui
! ried away from the east side fiat t
guard his mythical millions. Prompt
ly az six each night he returned. FL
nestine was trying to run the nat o.
seven dollars a week, and was delight
ed with her success.
I The scene changes.
At noon Ernestine hung the dist
rag over the clothes line in the kitcf
en-, tawned weary sigh. and let dow
! her hair. A vapid afternoon stare
her in the face.
Il think" she said to herself mi
singly, that l shall go to matine
l today"
She dressed leisurely in garment
! long unused, selected q popular mus
cal comedy, and went gayly forth.
At five o'clock in the afternoo
broadway v:as damned with trafii,
5 Hundreds of motor cars drew up b,
!, fore the theaters and waited for thei
= owners.
AT the entrance TO the Eniokerda q