The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-26
A MATTER OF BUSINESS
BY OLIVE MABIE.

yer IN frightened unbeiief.
1t could not be possible that their
fathers fortune had been such hol-
low mockery. How had they lived all
these years in such quiet comfort?
1T was the nature of his business
explained Mr.. Ames; "a broker never
really knows whether he is a rich
man or pauper Your father was
undertaking big coup when his i'll
ness and death put a finish to every
thing. He was on the wrong side of
the market when he was stricken.
There will be nothing left for you ex-
cept the place in the country-your
mothers old home"
But that is only a house and fur
niture. How can we earn our bread
and butter?" asked Kitty.
I'VE might take summer boarders."
suggested Dorothy gravely
That isn't bad idea!" said Mr.
Ames. I'll send you all the people
can. Can any Of you cook?"
Il can" said Dorothy proudly. II
have taken prize at cooking school"
June found the Henderson girls set
tied in the old house in which they
had been born.
Old village friends called upon
them, and, to Cousin Keziah's great
satisfaction, several young men were
attracted to the Henderson house
Tom Bixby. Walter Mott and Paul
Clarkson had all been to the village
school with the Henderson girls.
Lillian Henderson. the eldest sis
ter, was ambitious. She had deter
mined that her sisters, as we'll as
herself, should improve their fortunes
by good marriages. And with that
end in view she discouraged the atten-
tons of the village doctor and his two
friends. who were law partners.
II thought you liked Doctor Mott"
observed Kitty when Lillian delivered
her ultimatum.
81 do. dear, but we must think aboG.
practical matters We should marry
WE'LL she returned decidedly
~ wouldn't mind working hard for
man I liked" declared Kitty, stout
ly. and Dorothy added, II don't sup.
pose real man would mind our hands
II they were red and coarsened by
honest TOLL"
II didn't mean that, dears," cried
Lillian sharply, but l am afraid you
will miss all the things we have been
accustomed to. You know, Derry,
dear. that since Harry Blake has fol-
lowed you hereof course It would
be perfectly fine II you could love him
well enough with all his money"
'My word" Knocked Kitty. Does
that mean that you are going to &C.
cept old Mr.. Alison?"
Lillian whitened, but she nodded.
From the lawn tennis courts came
mans jolly laugh.
Kitty looked embarrassed. She
knew that her sisters wondered II she
was going to accept Lester Marshall,
whose sister had been their first
guest
Marshall was young and handsome
and rich, and he made no secret Of
his devotion to charming Kitty.
II suppose l would be foolish to let
such an opportunity pass" laughed
Kitty oddly We'll, girls. we might
have a triple wedding in October and
announce to our friends that our bust.
ness had been a very profitable ven
ture!" As she ran from the room her
sisters caught the fash of tears in her
brave eyes.
There was a strained look in LII
lian's face as the days went by. Mr..
Alison was becoming more marked in
his devotion; any day, now, the old
financier might make declaration Of
his love-
Doctor Mott and his friends tactful-
ly eliminated themselves from the
company of the busy old house. Per
haps they had heard of the three city
men who were wooing the Henderson
girls.
Summer waned and Labor day
passed, and with its passing went the
last summer guest For the first time
In three months the girls were alone.
They sat in the great living room and
regarded each other with furtive
glances
On the left hand Of each sparkled
ring. Lillian's was a solitaire dia-
mond. Dorothy's a great pearl and
Kitty's sapphire. like her own eyes.
WELL" began Kitty. with a nerv-
out laugh, II suppose you are going
to announce your engagement, Dor
othy? Harry Blake"
II am not engaged to Harry Blake
retorted Derry. blushing holly. I'LL
liam may do as she pleases-but l am
going to marry the man love-Paul
Clarkson!
"Brave!" cried Kitty. Nov hear
my little declaration of independence!
I refused Mr.. Marshall because I pre-
fer Tom Bixby. Yes. he gave me this
pearl. It was his mothers engage
ment ring. and 1t is also mine"
The two younger girls looked de-
family at Lillian. Her lovely face was
crimson with embarrassment as she
fingered the glittering diamond.
Doctor Northumberland that"
Lillian faltered
Doctor Mott? Lillian dear, didn't
Mr.. Alison give you that rings"
shrieked Kitty.
Lillian shook her fair head
81 couldn't, after all" she confessed,
as their arms closed around her. Il
know 1t was poor business policy, but
I wasn't quite equal to it,
Many family Bible Is more orna-
mental than useful.