The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-06
A SALON
DIALOGUE
Bv WILLIAM CHANDLER

going to throw himself away on that
Perkins girl
What's the matter with Ida Per-
kins?' | asked.
"Oh. nothing" replied Betty, only
she's not half good enough for Harry
why don't you interrupt the pro-
ceedings?'
How could | do that!'
Step in between them"
You fatterer. One would think to
hear you talk that l could have any
man want for the asking.
so you could and not half try.
Betty tried hard to conceal the pleas
ure my appreciation of her powers
gave her, but failed.
There's one man couldn't
"Who?"
The first letter of his first name
is j."
That's because you never tried. "
My first name is James
Perhaps l will
what would poor Harry do in the
Iltt wv flt. ii' "'u'h bC
up by Ida Perkins"
"Oh, that affair could wait"
When are you going to begin on
me?"
You? oh. you can wait too. Good
morning. Come and see me soon
have things TO tell you.
Very soon. Goodby:'
This scrap Of conversation. which
am free to admit was not concentrated
wisdom. occurred at the glove counter
of Jones', where | met Miss Chamber
lin The next time saw her was al
Mrs. Winters salon. so called from the
brilliant dialogues that take place
there Betty was tied to Ashurst. He
was graduate Of scientific school
and could drown her in pool Of ideas
seven feet deep. | was sandwiched
between two girls directly behind them
We conversed with one another, but
had our ears open for what Ashursl
and Betty were saying. One Of the
girls beside me was Ida Perkins. The
only remark that could be considered
to refer to the couple In front Of ut
was made by Ida. 1t was this:
"Why do you bright men get stuci
in the honey Of stupid girls?'
Leave out the YOU and l will an
swer the question" replied.
But she wouldn't. and I confess
would not have been pleased If sh,
had.
Betty made a lodgment with Ash
urst at that salon. and this Is the wa!
she did it.
Il have heard. Mr.. Ashurst," she wa
saying. that you are not one Of tn
kind to feel certain Of anything an,
that you never force your opinions OF
any one
"Confound those persons who know
everything" grunted Ashurst.
$50 say THAT is. l mean person
who don't know as much as other pei
sons who know great deal. but ar
not constantly trying to show 1t Of"
This was a trifle mixed. but Ashurs
didn't seem to mind It.
'SOme Of the women here make m
laugh" Betty went on. "They thin
they're quite WISE Don't they tire 70,
Mr.. AshurstT
II don't know: some OF them do"
II heard one Of them just now tall
ing about the big European war. Sh
said the allies had the best generals
only they had been short of ammun
ton"
(Which allies?"
why, suppose she meant-is ther
more than one ally?"
saw Ida Perkins and Belle TOwl
send-Belle was the other side of til
sandwich that had me for q middle
look at each other Fortunately fC
Betty a lady passed her. bidding hi
about the weather. So Bet was n,
obliged to go any further into the mil
tary problems OF the great war Il
deed. It had not been her intention
do so She had become inadvertentl
drawn into 1t by attempting to hold ,
one OF her rivals In an unfavorab
light.
Are you fond of motoring. NJ
Ashurst?" was her next remark.
don't suppose you are. At least
busy man as you is not likely to ha'
time to enjoy himself"
Ashurst was the scientific adviser
gigantic manufacturing corporatio
He looked relieved that Betty shou
have spared him the trouble Of a
swering the question she had ask,
him. Bet has beautiful eyes al
knows that they serve her bett
purpose than her tongue. for unfort
nately the latter member cannot W,
without drawing on her brain.
The reason why | asked you IL y,
were fond Of motoring is that l have
car. and II you could spare me son
afternoon about 4 o'clock
Il should be very happy" was q
reply.
Don't you think an Ice would CO
us? These rooms are very warm"
They arose and went elsewhere. B
had caught sight of Ida in rather t
close proximity to suit her.
The next time saw Betty congrt
ulated her on her engagement TO As
urst. Didn't tell you." said. 9Th
YOU could II you tried?"
What's this ! hear about you al
Ida Perkins?" she asked. looking at Z
anxiously
oh were engaged too"
have never since regained the pla
| occupied in Betty's good graces.
don't see why Surely she could n
have Ashurst and me too. Perhaps
had married any but the girl she re
bed Of another man she might have
manned my friend.