The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-27
us PERFECT wife
BY WILL ADAMS.

l..
The couple passed from view, and the
fist of George Anderson Davis came
down on the table with thud.
by Jove! That's the twentieth
couple I've given a wedding present
to in the last ten years"
Twenty wedding presents, and fif-
teen silver mugs marked Baby, and
nothing to show for it, not even a
baby named for me, by Jove!"
George Anderson Davis picked up
his pen and continued his writing.
odd Hicks thinks he has the only
wife. They all think that, l suppose"
was his inward comment.
But l wouldn't let my wife dress
like that" The words, MY wife,"
struck him. He had never used them
before. Somehow he liked them, they
sounded proprietary.
BY Jove! / ought to have a wife"
The fist struck the table the third
time. I'm ten years older than Hicks.
and he has one"
A peculiar smile played over the
face of George Anderson Davis. He
closed his desk with bang. He was
a man of quick decision.
And I'll have one inside of thirty
days-by Jove, l will! Every man
ought to have a wife,"
But when on the street new
thought assailed George Anderson
Davis.
Whom should he marry?"
George Anderson Davis had an ex-
cellent opinion of George Anderson
Davis. His wife must be perfection
good and sweet, of course, but do
nestle, intelligent, stylish and beauti-
full as we'll
I'll build the finest house in town,
by Jove and l want wife to suit it,
If l have to go to Europe to find her."
After supper at the boarding house
Anderson asked Margaret Allen to
take walk with him. He wanted to
talk to somebody, and she was nice
quiet girl who wouldn't offer sugges-
tiOns like the other boarders.
Margaret was not surprised that Mr..
Davis was going to be married. George
Anderson Davis went to bed feeling
good. 1t was just as Margaret had
said, he could get any girl he wanted.
Margaret was a real nice girl any.
way; too bad she didn't have any
style about her. He would send her
some post cards while on his trip.
George Anderson Davis notified the
firm the next day that he would leave
Monday for his vacation.
Just little wedding trip, boys!"
At the little mountain hotel George
Anderson Davis walked YEARLY to the
far end of the porch and. lit a cigar
Several people at the other end
seemed to be having a good time. 1t
irritated him, people made such idiots
OF themselves. especially girls. They
giggled so they made him nervous
George Anderson Davis had been
everywhere, to New York. to Niagara
and to California. and all the girls
were the same; they made him sick
George Anderson Davis was disgust
ed; he was going home. The blooming
little fools could have all the wedding
presents, and the silver mugs, too. AS
for him, he was through with matri.
mony.
He fiicked the ashes from his cold
cigar and felt for match. He had no
match at all-even in his vest pocket
He smiled at the appropriateness of
1t.
Someone came softly across the
porch and sat down near him. 1t was
quite dark, and he could not see the
intruder, but a sweet voice called.
"Mother!"
George Anderson Davis started sud
denly. That voice had a familiar ring
1t reminded him of home.
Here, mother!"
That sweet voice was mysteriously
near him, his pulse Quickened, he sat
and waited.
All right. Margaret"
Margaret Allen! Like an electric
shock 1t flashed over him. He was at
her side in an instant.
Margaret, you here?"
why, Mr.. Davis. your"
He assured her that II was he. and
he was very glad to find her here also.
George Anderson Davis had travelled
far. the world was disappointing. He
was tired. 1t was good to meet some
one from home. 1t seemed to him
that Margaret always had a way of
being in the right place at the right
time.
rs Mrs. Davis with your" inquired
Margaret
Davis laughed and caught the girls
hand.
No, and am glad she isn't. want
to talk to you"
She slipped her hand away from
his with soft little Obi"
The sweet intelligence Of that re.
mark pleased George Anderson Davis
He caught her hand again.
And because Margaret was a very
good girl. and George Anderson Davis
a very old friend. she didn't remove
it.
And then-the world slipped mil.
lions OF miles away. The hotel lights
were as stars in the heavens, George
and Margaret were alone, and the
moon kept watch.
George Anderson Davis looked into /,
eyes-not found in California. He
touched soft brown curls-unknown in
New York. And he was thrilled-as
Niagara never thrills.
1t is our belief that man has Just ,