The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-23
JANE CARTER'S
CONTRACT
By HELEN ROSS

n
copyright. 1917. BY Associated Literary Presa.)
Jane Carter rushed up the steps
leading to the tiny apartment which
she shared with two artist friends as
impecunious as herself. and burst into
the living room. Her flushed face and
sparkling eyes were pleasant to see.
"Oh, girls" she cried. I'm SO sor-
~ to be late when it's my night to
cook!"
Yes. you cruel creature, I'm
starved" joked Miss Mason. but
what 10 the excitement you're trying
to keep from bubbling over?"
The other occupant Of the room.
Miss Day. anticipating pleasant news.
closed her desk
I'm too high in the clouds to fry
potatoes, but hungry enough to eat
them" cried Jane, so come out with
me and Ill treat to = real dinner"
MY. but you're rash! You'll not
be able to buy new shoes this week"
warned Miss Day.
BE merciful and tell the news!"
implored Miss Mason.
Jane swept aside a number of pack
ages and perched on the cleared space
Of the table.
Il can't believe my good fortune"
she began a trifie unsteadily. Just
Is was going out for lunch stran-
ger. all logged up in stunning motor
ing costume. asked If could direct
him to Miss Jane Carter. the interior
decorator. l hated him to see that
shabby hole Of a studio, but there was
NO way out Of 1t. He was awfully
nice and didn't look around a bit, and
said l was recommended highly as
having excellent ideas and good taste.
Isn't that lovely? He Is the big
banker, Daniel Lord, and wants his
country home decorated. He took me
there In his motor this afternoon and
the house is magnificent"
"You deserve it, dear" exclaimed
Miss Day. Il cant tell you how glad
! am that luck is finally coming your
way"
Really. girls. 1t will take months
to do it as he wishes 1t done, and
while We were out there he suggested
one innovation after the other, and is
retaining me a great deal longer than
necessary to oversee details. Before
/ left, he made me sign a contract
as If would balk half way"
ITS as we'll to have all that set
lNA toI h.
Miss Mason.
rs he young. old or Indifferent"
chimed in Miss Day. Married."
About thirty-eight and unmarried!
Now I'll die II l don't get something
to eat. If you love me, comet" groan-
Cd Jane. jumping of the table.
They left the apartment and start.
cd towards an Italian cafe, all taking
at once. The sudden change In
James fortunes delighted the older
girls. Jane was to start water-color
drawings Of the rooms the following
day for Mr.. Lords inspection.
When the drawings were delivered
Mr.. Lord returned them personally
and declared himself delighted, in.
sisting upon paying liberal retain
ing fee.
Il hated to take that money" con.
nded Jane. blushing = rosy red at the
recollection Of her discussion with Mr..
Lord. "Mr. Lord declared that 1t was
only good business to accept It,"
when your time 10 taken for that
length Of time. you should be. COM
pensated." declared Miss Day.
All the same. 1t seems 90 mate.
RIAL" sighed Jane.
you little Ounce scolded Miss
Mason; all the big decorators do It.
What have you to live on while this
contract ID on deck? It requires your
exclusive attention and all other work
must be dropped
Al the decorating of the huge house
progressed, Mr.. Lord found 1t of such
absorbing importance that he fire..
auently called in the evenings to dis.
cuss details. His great motor took
Jane to any country houses of his
friends which possessed unusual feat
ures. and the great banker always
found time to 60 along and satisfy
his thirst for decorative knowledge.
These spins through the gorgeously
colored October country were fairy.
land to Jane. A. they were fro.
Quently late returning to town. they
dined at queer inns or picturesque
farmhouses. James frequent lateness
seemed to pass unnoticed by her
friends. and as her financial affairs
improved. certain Injuries. hitherto
unknown, appeared in the apartment.
Isn't she the darling?" remarked
Miss Day. Just think of her trudg.
ing all the way to the market for per.
simmons because she knew l liked
them. Most girls would be too much
taken up with their own affairs to
think Of others. She's wonderfully
, unselfish."
Indeed she is" agreed Miss Ma.
son. DO you know l have an idea
that she 10 very fond of MIR. Lord In
q delightfully."- friendly way. 30 let's
be careful not to spoil her innocent
pleasure In his kindness and consider.
alton for her She 10 such a sensi.
tive little goose. and II she got the
idea that his interest 10 more for her
than her work It would be q shock.
He can't help admiring her work.
answered the loyal Miss Day. Meth.
Or can he help admiring such an
earnest little worker. Jane 10 too
sensible to misunderstood his kind.
| ness"
She got up to answer the doorbsll
and returned carrying q long box.