The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-26
1 WALKING GENTLEMAN
BY LUCILLE WARRINGTON.

and with some satisfaction. scanning
the Help Wanted" column Of the
Newspaper he had bought.
what now?" Queried Mark.
Listen" and Vance proceeded to
read: "Wanted-A presentable. active
young man Of some Imagination and
good facial expression. Liberal com.
pensation. Mrs. A.. 537 Hawthorn
terrace"
"Well. I vum!" exclaimed Mark
Nov what in the world does that
mean? What has presentableness.
imagination and facial expression Ia
do with it,"
''Well. 1 shall try for the position, q
announced Vance.
The Hawthorn terrace address
proved to be . fine mansion set in q
charming nest Of greenery and 60w.
err. Vance adopted his best bearing
and had handsome features and we'll.
modelled form to recommend him to
the housemaid, who showed him into
Q little gem of q reception room, say
ing she would take word to Mrs. Ar.
ungton" at once. Vance appropriated
an easy chair and took In the warmth
and comfort Of the room luxuriously.
It reminded him Of home. He arose
to inspect q little bijou Of water
color on the wall. He strolled about
the apartment. taking in the richness
and taste of the hangings. He ran .
covetous eye over q well-selected shelf
of books. Then drapery parted and
an active, nervous lady Of perhaps
fifty faced him with keen eyes and .
quizzical smile.
You came about the advertise
ment." she spoke rapidly. We'll. !
think you will do"
"Why, madam" began Vance, az.
tonished at this speedy decision.
"Oh, l have been watching you, and
l am sure you will suit. You know
how to walk and gesture, and I can
see possibilities Of expression in your
eyes. shall need your services from
nine to twelve each day. The COM
pensation will be fifty dollars a week"
Vance gave a gasp. First. will in.
troduce you to my other aid, my
adopted daughter. Rilla!" and she
called loudly.
Vance felt as though he had STUN.
bled across some scene of enchant.
ment. Fifty dollars a week! Three
hours work a day! A fellow-worker.
one "Rilla!" And then "Rilla" came
into the room. She seemed to bring
with her the radiance of a rare beauty.
an atmosphere of roses, smiles and
kisses commingled. His senses dizzied
a. he looked upon this vision % love.
illness.
you two are to be my special com
panions," explained Mrs. Arlington,
while Vance grew awkward and the
young lady blushed. a. they were in.
troduced after Vance had murmured
his name. "You see, Mr.. Byford. l am
an authorizes. They call me Of the
impressionist type. l am we'll ground
ed % to theories and the plot guam
tity, but deficient as to details. l first
thought Of employing an actor and
an actress. but they would be ranters
Naturalness is what l want For in
stance: l am now at the fourth chap
ter of a novel where the young broker
finds himself ruined, comes to his
room to be alone. and spends an un
happy hour deciding what he should
do. You need not speak. Just move
about and act out what you would dc
under those circumstances. You can
be seated, Rilla. You are to appear
later as his sister endeavoring to
drive away the desperate thoughts
that come into his mind"
"Oh, excellent! excellent" went on
the speaker few moments later. az
Vance began his unique role. "'He
snatched close the draperies like be
ing at last at bay A fine line! He
sat bordering deeply at his desk. anon
casting a desolate glance at its rich
surroundings, his no more l knew
you would do. am truly fortunate!'
Within a few days Vance was en-
rapport with his peculiar position
Then the experience grew more inter
esting. Rilla had her part in thespan
tomime Of suggestion, alone and In
conjunction with Vance. There were
some vivid love scenes to depict They
became all too real to Vance Byford
One evening he met his friend Marx
with whom he roomed, just outside
the Arlington grounds. They halted
near the uncovered wall, little
dreaming that Rilla on the other side
was an auditor.
Then Vance told his troubles. He
was going to give up his position. And
wherefore? Rilla. Every time In
their play acting when their hands
met, Vance confessed to q fervent un.
restrained impulse to clasp her in his
arms and confess his undying love.
II was the next morning when Vance
and Rilla sat awaiting promptings az
to some scene from Mrs. Arlington.
Something new In the eyes OF Rilla
attracted Vance. His hand stole
towards her own. her eyes met his.
Excellent! Maintain that, please. /"
spoke the authoress. her pen travelling
rapidly. "Oh. indeed!"
She sat up rigid. staring with cen.
soring eyes at the twain. Their atti.
tude showed not acting. but real love.
Il think that we will end your serv-
ices, Mr.. Byford," she said, icily, but
after he had gone gloomily from the
house Rilla sobbed. brokenly:
1T was not play acting, mammal
love him and l shall die II he goes
away!"
So, to save the life" OF her cher.