The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-30
4 WALKING GENTLEMAN
BY LUCILLE WARRINGTON.

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Copyright. 1914. by W. q. Chapman-)
"Hello!" calculated Vance suddenly,
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 ana
good facial expression. Liberal COM
pensation. Mrs. A.. SGT Hawthorn
terrace"
well, vum!" exclaimed Marx
Nov what in the world does that
mean? What has presentableness.
imagination and facial expression to
do with IT."
well. I shall try for the position"
announced Vance.
The Hawthorn terrace address
proved to be q fine mansion set In .
charming nest Of greenery and dow.
ers. Vance adopted his best bearing
and had handsome features and . we'll.
modelled form to recommend him to
! tho housemaid. who showed him into
. little gem Of reception room, say.
ing she would take word to Mrs. Ar
lngton" At once. Vance appropriated
IN 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 a well-selected shelf
! of books. Then a drapery parted and
an active, nervous lady Of perhaps
fifty faced him with keen eyes and .
quixzical smile.
you came about the advertise.
ment," she spoke rapidly. We'll,
think you will do"
"Why, madam" began Vance, a.
tonished at this speedy decision.
"Oh. ! have been watching you, and
am sure you will suit. You know
how to walk and gesture. and ] 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 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 day! A fellow-worker,
one "Rilla!" And then "Ril,a" came
into the room. She seemed to bring
with her the radiance Of rare beauty',
an atmosphere of roses, smiles and
kisses commingled. His senses dizzied
as 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. ~ they were In.
troduced after Vance had murmured
his name. "You see, Mr.. Byford, am
an authoress. They call mo Of the
impressionist type. am we'll ground.
ed - to theories and the plot guam.
tity. but deficient as to details. first
thought Of employing an actor and
an actress. but they would be ranters.
Naturalness Is what I want. For In.
stance: am now at the fourth chap
ter Of 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 do
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 q few moments later, a.
Vance began his unique role. "'He
snatched close the draperies like q be.
ing at last at bay A fine line! He
sat bordering deeply at his desk. anon
casting q desolate glance at its rich
surroundings. his no more I 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 thespah-
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 Mark,
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-
1t was the next morning when Vance
and Rilla sat awaiting promptings ~
to some scene from Mrs. Arlington.
Something new in the eyes Of Rills
attracted Vance. His hand stole
/ eo"aiuS uei owu' ucT eyes met MS.
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