The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-05
INEXPENSIVE
LADY
By JOANNA SINGLE
tCop,right. 1911. BY Associated Literary Pres.


extensively at the door, and the
French chauffeur. Gustave, aristo
cratically bored. looked immovably
ahead and awaited his young mis-
tress, rejecting that he would have
to break the speed limit If she made
her train. Her trunks had gone to
the station the day before. The
dachshund on the back seat of the
tonneau yawned in the face of the
beautiful morning in early Septem-
Der
Finally Miss Katherine Folwell ap-
peared, perfect in black broadcloth.
She was palpably not intended for
lfe's grim realities. She would have
been out Of place In any setting less
than luxurious. She knew this. Just
year ago she had told David Rob-
ertson so. and as he had never been
sure he even wanted to be rich. he
dropped out Of her life SO effectually
that 1t hurt. She had not thought
he would take her at her word So
life bored her. which was why she
had promised to go abroad with the
Cheneys-she hadn't seen May since
their college days, though they lived
far out in some suburb and had only
lately inherited enough money to JUS
tify trips-and leaving their two chill
dren
Gustave Strengthened and gasped-
politely-as his mistress took her
seat and gave her order.
ITO the country-anywhere! I've
given up my trip" she said
He touched his cap, and they were
OF.
II couldn't have endured It," she
said half aloud"-the old round of get
ting away from yourself In dirty for
eign places. I've got to live with my
self anywhere 60. and like it here
as we'll as any place. The country is
at least peaceful"
The car slipped up the avenue,
past the clangor of downtown,
through the residence district, from
woodsy suburbs toward the river
road. The sun was hot, but the
fresh wind cooled her cheek. Finally
they were gliding slowly past pretty
little cottages. wide apart, flower
surrounded, almost real country.
Then. without warning, the car
stopped with jar. and Gustave, all
apology. was out trying the ma
chinery. He ended by crawling be-
meath the motor. and after much
tinkering, came out hot and explana.
tory. She was deaf to explanations
She didn't care.
Pardon, but the sun is hot. It
may take an hour to mend. VIII
Ma'amselle seek a cool spot? That
garden. perhaps?" He waved with
Gallo grace at a cottage they had
passed where children played In a
garden.
She soothed Gustaves excitement
with a smile and wandered up to
the place. This was the sort Of
thing David Robertson had dreamed
she might share with him, a bunga-
low guarded by private hedge and
. sentinel row of flaming holly
hooks She, too. had been among
dream possessions then she saw
the children. blonde. rosy little peo-
pie. and brought herself up with
start. She would not let herself in
clude children In her reverie of
David. His income could never have
brought the dream of his love into
reality. Katharine spoke to the lit
tie ones hanging over the gate.
Good mornin'." answered the six
year-Old immovably
To-" placidly returned the four
year-old boy. Does you love holly
hocks?"
Katharine said that she adored
them. Then she explained about the
oroken-down motor and asked II she
could come in their garden a while.
Would their mother care? They
were suddenly solemn.
Mothers gone to the end of the
world" she said quantity. land Mrs.
Scott is drefful sick and Auntie Bess
h to her house and we're to stay
right here SOS she can see US till
nurse comes home" It came in
breathless sentence. as the child
chung to her little brother. Then
she opened wide the gate.
"I'm sorry bout the car. an you
can come In an play with US II you'll
be good"
She sank down on the green grass.
removed her hat and tried to WOO
the shy boy to give her a kiss. He
would not. but broke a handful of
Aollyhocks without stems and put
them gravely in her lap. The girl.
Janey. was hanging over bed of
mignonette like a white butterfly.
When Gustave's hour and more had
passed. Katharine looked up from
her clumsy telling Of the story of
the three bears" to hear more ex-
cuses. He could not repair the ma
chine. 1t would have to be lowed in.
Would ma'amselle take a train. or
wait several hours until he came
with the other car? He stood walt
ing. and q sudden within possessed
her.
II will come on the train. Don't
come back for me. l may stop to
make q visit Tell Marie not to ex-
pect me-" She would not be robbed
Of this new amusement-she seldom
had been with children, and the
sweet little experience was bringing
her q queer happiness. With much
prompting she told some Of the
familiar child-stories. and then. won
dering at herself, made up fairy