The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-03
A BUSINESS DEAL
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

something to sell. Ills daily mail was
chock-full of advertisements of all
kinds, from pastry flour to gold mines.
And he was hourly besieged by agents
of both sexes who insisted upon show
ing him only editions" and improved
raZorS.
Mike, the Office boy, was able to dis
suade too persistent males, but Dor
Othy Darlington was prepared for
Mike. She had heard of him, and,
arming herself for the ball game,
Mike went down an easy victim.
Richard Adrian had decided that it
was near enough to noon to escape
from involuntary incarceration, as he
always referred to his office, when
Dorothy breezed in and shut the door,
How do you do? Please don't
blame your boy for letting me in. He
couldn't help it, I'm sorry if you
were getting ready to go home, be-
cause l can't afford many ball-game
tickets, you know
I'm sorry | can't ask you to sit
down. You see l must get away i'm
mediately." This was the prettiest
one yet, and he had no desire to ex-
ercise his masculine wits against
beauty in need.
oh, am SO sorry. l wanted to sell
you some life insurance
Great Scott! I've got twenty five
thousand that l don't need. Besides,
I'm not married, and haven't any wife
to leave it to-
But couldn't you get married."
Yes. yes. | suppose so. Well, sit
down, Miss Darlington. I'll take five
thousand of your insurance, but well
ferred just as soon as | can find a
suitable wife"
How lovely!" exclaimed Dorothy,
searching for papers in her bag
think am going to like the insurance
| business"
Two months later Dorothy had to
| get past Mike again. Never mind
how she managed it, but she did.
This time she was asked to sit
down. But, really, l cannot take
any more insurance. Miss Darlington.
I've made all my second cousins bene-
ficiaries now"
but it isn't insurance this time"
she declared. ITS house. I'm sell
ing real estate now. Nobody but you
would take any insurance."
but, don't want a house, either.
I'm not married, you see, and"
"Oh, haven't you got wife yet?
You said you would. so l supposed
you had. I'm just crazy about it my
self. All porches and gables and a
sun parlor and lawn and a garden.
| have picture of it here There!
Isn't it beautiful? Only the colors
don't show up the flowers and grass
and trees, | mean"
Richard looked harder at the flushed
cheeks and shining eyes than he did
at the picture, but it really was an
attractive house. 1t was fine day
and his car was at the curb.
Il won't promise to buy the place
but ! might take a look at it, Miss
Darlington. Wont you go with me
in my car and show it to me?"
The house was all that Dorothy
claimed, and Richard Adrian enjoyed
the excursion immensely Not a
bad speculation he thought. Il be
lieve I'll take it over"
So the deal was made and things
settled down as before.
Some weeks later Mike opened the
office door. "A lady to see you, sir,
he announced.
II am so glad to find you in" ex
claimed Dorothy Darlington, as Rich
ard Adrian Hospitality held out his
hand and proffered a chair.
And ! am glad you came, Miss
Darlington. There is only one thing
| am sorry fOr-that l cannot buy an
other house. You see am property
poor now, and"
But I'm not selling houses this
time. I'm in the jewelry business
now. I've brought catalogue and
thought you might want something
for your-wife, IL you have one yet?'
mo. I'm not married yet
"Oh, Aren't you? | was sure you
such beautiful things here in the boob
pendants. brooches. bracelets ant
rings. I'm crazy about all of then
myself"
Richard looked at her oddly. You
enthusiasm is certainly contagious,
he said. Wont you tell me what yol
like best?"
She bent over and touched the oper
pages here and there where jewelet
ornaments were pictured.
And what ring do you like best?'
This one" She turned few
pages and pointed to ruby and dia
, mond set together
Richard looked at her softly wavinI
hair under the becoming little hat
her clear, velvety skin, and her franl
! blue eyes He had been dreamin,
dreams of late
Miss Darlington, you've insured
my life and sold me house for /;
prospective bride, who hasn't mate
rallied Now you want to sell me
ring for the same NEUROLOGICAL per
son. Unless you can supply the wife
too. I'm afraid there is no use in buy
ing the ring
The wife? | don't understand
Wont you be my wife. Dorothy
. love you. You'd better say Yes i
you want to sell me the ring Won
your