The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-12

closure. But Effelrode only thanked
her and glided away. 1t was just his
manner.
The boarders all got used to him in
time. They discovered that there was
really no mystery about him. He had
been manager for branch of "a Chi
cago paint firm in a good-sized Illinois
town and his firm had called him to
the city to become superintendent OF
the factory. He had mother,
brother and a married sister in New
Hampshire, was independent in his
politics, member of the Episcopalian
church and had taste for music. One
could hardly wish to know more of
man.
Still, that manner of his always
seemed to crate on Mrs CallOnby.
She was widow-a very attractive
one too. She was of lively dispo-
sition and Observation-Disclosures
about thirty. probably. Electrodes
place at table was next to her and
she naturally came in for most of his
| confidential asides. Only she declined
| to treat them as confidential. 1t was
: little more than a week before she
began publicly to divulge the nature
of his whispered communications.
oh, you needn't giggle," she said
one day to the Starker girls, across
/ the table. 1T wasn't anything of a
tender nature. Mr.. EffelrOde has just
been telling me that he likes the bis
cult and gravy that Mrs. Grandine
! gives us with our chicken. There's
really no secret about 1t"
Effelrode colored a little and looked
embarrassed.
Don't blush, Mr.. Effelrode," said
the widow. IT'S nothing you really
! need be ashamed of. l don't mind
Mrs. Grandne's knowing that | like
them myself. Thank you, just one.
That discouraged Effelrode for
time, but before the meal was over he
again murmured something in the wild
ow's ear. She replied in clear, pene-
trating tones. Thereupon Efelrode
looked offended.
Il don't care" said the widow when
| SOuleOuc Will bCA iheOi
on. 1T may be his way, but | don't
like it. 1t makes one look ridiculous.
think 1t time that someone took him
in hand. I'll do it If nobody else will
Effelrode did not give her q chance
for some days, but she smiled on him
and he forgave her. Nevertheless
she persisted in announcing to all and
sundry the substance of his remarks
when they were addressed to her in
voice below the ordinary converse
tional pitch. II certainly had an ef
feet on Effelrode. He began to speak
up, as Mrs Callonby said approvingly,
like little man. though he had his
relapses.
One evening when he seemed near
ly cured he came into the parlor,
where Mrs Callonby happened to be
sitting apart from the rest, took seat
beside the lady and with his old fur
tive look around the room said some
thing to her.
Yes, 1t is rather warm in this room
tonight" called Mrs. Callonby in an
explanatory way.
Effelrode rose Immediately and
strobe over to the elder Starker girl.
He did not speak to Mrs. Callonby for
two days, but when he did he repeat.
ed his whispering offense, or rather
was about to do So
ooh, speak OUT" said the indomit
able widow.
Shall II" asked Effelrode, quite de-
family. Il meant to tell you first
but IL you insist"
All in a moment Mrs. Callonby
seemed to lose her customary self-pos-
session. She arose "Oh, well, If it's
a real secret this time" she said, and.
taking his arm. walked over to the
piano-where the lights were not
burning. There she stopped. What is
it," she asked
81 want to ask you to marry me"
said Effelrode, but | didn't like to
J shout it."-Chicago Daily News.