The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-01
his Big STORY
BY JANE OSBORN.

when he sent him out to cover" the
Morris-Norr.s wedding. Get away
from the stereotyped society do-e.
The Morrises are always doing some
thing sensational and the Norrises
have controlling ownership in the tin
trust that we have been fighting. Go
as far as you like; don't hesitate to
offend any one, but at any cost get a
first page story"
A half hour later Tom was part of
the gay assemblage of the city's rich
est and most exclusive set that had
gathered at the palatial Morris resi-
dence to witness the most deliberately
planned wedding Of the season.
During the strains Of the wedding
march Tom watched intently. He had
the names Of the bridesmaids before
hand and there was nothing in their
conventional prettiness and studied
gait to attract his attention. But with
the approach of the maid of honor
the famous society belle, Doris Dab
ney, who seemed to advance like a
goddess in an aura Of blues and
mauve-Tom shared in the general
wave Of admiration.
Tom looked closely, studying the
beautiful features of the young woman
as she passed near him to the bower
Of roses set up at one end Of the Nor
ris ballroom. He paused, almost
staggering with the impression that
suddenly came to him.
It's Jane" he said half aloud, and
as the strains Of the wedding march
continued and the Morris pedigree and
the Norris millions were united in
that famous marriage Tom stood as
one in a daze. How had Jane Lane,
the girl he had loved in his boyhood,
whom he had not seen for five years,
to be sure, but whom, in his heart of
hearts. he loved still-how had this
country girl been transported to this
scene Of wealth and elegance? She
had been as poor as he in the days
when they went to school together,
and there she was, dazzling in a gown
that must have cost more than he
earned in three months and wearing
Jewels worth kings ransom.
What Of Doris Da5ney, the society
beauty who had been expected to act
as maid of honor? Could Jane be
Doris? Was he dreaming?
The story. 1t was as good as writ
ten. Every one had expected Doris
Dabney to act as maid of honor. Doris
resembled Jane amazingly, for no
one apparently realized that Doris
had not appeared. He would talk to
Jane and get the whole story.
When Tom had made his way to
Jane he noticed that she seemed in
tent on avoiding conversation. But
he was insistent, and Jane" uttered
in a whisper banished her reserve.
Tom rushed from expressions of Joy
at seeing her to volley of questions,
and Jane enthusiastically told him
the whole secret She was serving as
governess in the Morris family. Her
resemblance to Doris Dabney had
often been remarked.
Then the very day of the wedding
Doris Dabney disappeared. 1t was a
scandal, Of course. She had eloped
with her fathers good-looking Danish
chauffeur. II the news leaked out it
would spoil everything. So Jane had
been called to the rescue to play the
part OF Doris, to wear her gown and
to appear with the priceless Dabney
pearls and sapphires for the wedding
Toms citation was divided between
delight at having found Jane and joy
at having found his big story" He
was hurrying away when Jane, fol-
lowing him, put hand on his arm.
How did you happen to be here?"
she ask. you don't travel in the
Morris set. Tell me, Tom"-there was
anxious appeal in her voice-"are you
still with the Morning Starr"
Then Tom. now more intent on his
story than on his revived love for
Jane, and Jane, herself afraid of being
discovered, departed hurriedly as
some guests came toward them.
1t was nearly midnight. and Tom
was pounding the keys Of his type
writer in the sitting atmosphere Of
the city room of the Morning Star.
He was Just hammering out the last
paragraph Of his big story" real
scoop for the Morning Star, for none
OF the other papers could possibly
have got wind of the scandalous elope-
ment Of the beautiful Doris.
Tom felt pressure on his arm and
a sweet voice at his side. 1t was
Jane. Jane shorn OF her jewels and
with simple street suit in place Of
Doris finery.
rs it too late?" she asked breath.
lessly. Il came as soon as | could. l
know when l ask you that you won't
make use of the story l gave you.
told you because you are friend"
Ten minutes later, Toms story of
the Morris-Norris nuptials, shorn of
all its sensation, having gone to
press, Tom and Jane left the office of
the Morning Star. II was in a de-
serted surface car that led to the
Morris home that Jane pressed Toms
hand to thank him for what he had
done.
1T was hard" admitted Tom. "and I
wouldn't have done IL for anyone else
in the world. But I've always loved
you. Jane, and for you | would give
up the biggest story | ever trapped
down And now I've found you. little
Jane. | am not going to let you 60"
And something in James smile as.