The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-27
vIRGIMIA's MISTAKE
By OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON.

Copyright. 1s15. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Mr.. Grayson stepped briskly out
from between the granite pillars Of
the entrance followed by young man.
When Virginia saw the stranger she
shrank back into the recesses OF the
limousine. Another of fathers eli
gibles for me to be nice to-" she
thought.
But after her father had opened the
glass door and stepped back to permit
his companion to enter the latter
changed his mind. I'm sorry, Mr..
Grayson, but it has just occurred to
me that was to do something for my
aunt. It almost escaped my memory.
I am very sorry indeed to have to re.
fuse your invitation"
You'll not meet my daughter" re-
turned her father in his blunt, brusQue
way, that brought the color flying to
her cheeks.
He added, And she's worth meet.
ing!" Virginia could have cried.
Il know Miss Grayson is unusually
charming, and am disappointed more
than l can tell you. Perhaps you will
find 1t in your heart to ask me again"
The men shook hands, babe each
other good evening, and her father got
into the car.
"Why, Virgie, didn't see you. Say.
that's too bad! wanted you to meet
young Shaw, the chap that's just gone.
Why didn't you yell?"
Il was afraid he was another eli
gible. papa, DEAR" mischievously.
You know I can't be nice to them!
1t does them good to be jolted out of
their self-conceit once in a WHILE
This one isn't conceited. He's a
sensible, steady, self-made man. They
call him the Copper King. He made
most of his own fortune in the West,
whence he has just returned"
Does he dancer" wickedly touching
a match to her fathers gunpowder
temper.
mol" he exploded. Just so a mans
got springs in his legs, you don't care
whether he's got sou in his pocket
And just so mans got a few
bonds in brine, you don't care whether
he's as ugly as an ant eater, as old
as Adam. or as stingy as old Scrooge!
she retorted. Your friend from the
West seems to belong to the last va
riety. Look at his clothes!"
| He'll get over that. He's only beer
here two days and he's been very
busy. Someone has stolen some Jew
els from the aunt with whom he IL
living. He has been helping the pc
lice"
"Oh!" was Virginia's only comment
to this, but she couldn't forget that .
mere man from the West had moi
seized the opportunity to meet the
much-sought-after Miss Grayson.
That evening she accompanied hel
aunt and uncle to the opera. then t.
supper at fashionable restaurant
where there was dancing.
Virginia passed from one eagel
partner to another. Then she fount
herself dancing with a young maj
who seemed to have wings on hi
feet.
Slender and 1.-the. he was withou
doubt the best partner she had eve
had. and very good looking. Here wa
man who came up to her ideal II
every way. Good looking, we'll dresse,
and a splendid dancer! What did he
father know Of men? Her thoughts
turned to the Westerner with amuse,
contempt, and even as they did so sh'
found herself looking into his eyes.
He was sitting alone at q side tabl,
watching her and her partner will
an odd expression. Virginia colore'
furiously. THE man is positivel.
rude" she thought. the, way he 4
Wfarfng atust Henevef takes his eye
of US for an Instant"
Later another man joined him-thel
another. The three then kept thei
eyes on the dancers. and as soon a
the music stopped one Of the tri'
came over and spoke to her partner
He excused himself hurriedly and lef
with the man. The other two fol
lowed.
We'll. Of all things!" exclaimed Vii
ginia. This Is the most mysteriou
affair ever experienced In my life."
She went to a tea the next day will
her aunt.
There she met the man-not he
Apollo of the night before-but tn,
man from the West, who had evidentl.
had time to consider his appearance,
to the smallest detail. Nothing coul,
have been more nearly correct, note,
Virginias critical eye.
She was introduced to him at ono,
and the tete-a-tete that followed owe
their teacups was interesting-so in
teresting that Virginia was full I,
overlooking when she got home.
Father" she cried to that aston
ished gentleman, II met Mr. Shaw
the man from the West, today, ant
he's grand-just grand! And what,
the difference II he doesn't dance
Say, do you know" coloring guilty
he helped the police to track tn,
thief that stole his aunt's diamonds
They found him In a fashionable res
taurant last night. They say he II
very good looking and a superb dancer
] think he was "a servant or some
thing in the housed"