The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-13
nARRr's INTERVIEW
BY A0ElA GRACE CROWN.
Copyright. 1914, by w. G. Chapman

1t is not often that q young fellow
after serving an apprenticeship of tw
years on a newspaper. is in a positio
to marry. So Harry Rogers accounte
himself a particularly fortunate youn
man.
Laura, to whom he had said good-b
In the little home town when he star
ed for the metropolis to make his fol
tune, had remained true to him. H
had been home three times on vacs
ton, and each time their love ha
seemed more real to both.
Laura was to become his wife with
IN month! She was to 60 to Nev
York to stay with her aunt. whom
Harry had never met. and they wer
to be married there. In a week b.
would see Laura again.
Symonds. the city editor, calle,
Harry over to his desk.
We're going to publish a series O
funny interviews. and I want you t.
handle the first" he said. ITS will
the world-renowned authoress. Eliza
beth Crow Cavendish. She wrote 4
Girls Safety. The Happy Marriage,
etc. Shopgirls' slush, you know, ans
takes herself very seriously as an up
lifting power among those who read
her twaddle. Think you can do a mock
serious interview to raise a laugh?"
Il think So" said Harry.
At eight o'clock that evening he wal
being shown into Miss Cavendish's
house. The elderly lady who awaited
him at the table apologized for not
rising, and the crutch beside her chair
explained her reason. Harry was con.
scious of an impression distinctly
pleasing. He felt a little regretful
about his mission. Still, a newspaper
man Is bound in strictest loyalty to
his newspaper.
1t was evident that Miss Cayendish
took herself very seriously indeed, and,
becoming confidential, in her simple
way she showed him, under a pledge
Of confidence, the manuscript of her
forthcoming work. "Cynthias Happy
Choice"
1t was only after he reached the
street that Harry realized he must
turn this hospitable kindness into
mockery. However, he knew the duty
Of newspaper man; and perhaps be-
cause OF his humiliation he wrote the
Of all the interviews that an.
peared.
Harry received no letter from Laura
or several days. 1t had been planned
hat he was to meet her at the station
inc take her to her aunt's. He was
beginning to grow uneasy when he re.
'eived a letter with the New York
,ostmark
Dearest Harry" she wrote, Il have
Irrived In New York, and l thought I
would give you little surprise byslet.
ing you remain in ignorance until
lad actually come. You see, my dear,
he train came In so late at night,
nd, with your exacting duties, |
ouldnt let you come and take me SO
ar and miss your sleep. l was quite
veil cared for by the agent for the
travellers society.
And now have a little surprise for
GU. My aunt is no less q person than
iiss Cavendish. the famous authoress.
What do you think of that?"
Harry read the letter and sat still
8 though stunned. Then he per.
eived that another missive, with a TO-
lantic pink scented envelope, lay be- |
lde his papers. He opened it. 1t was
rom Miss Cavendish.
Il cannot begin to tell you," It ran.
how much liked your delightful in.
srview But, Mr.. Rogers, am afraid
Oh have overestimated my influence
mong working girls. Come and see
lie and let US have nice unprofes.
onal chat"
With determination that did not
liter he made his way to Miss Cayen.
shs house that evening. What
comics OF spirit he endured during the
ny only he knows.
He was shown into the same room
before. The room was empty. And
lille he stood there. desperately gath.
ing together the few strands of cour.
'e that remained to him, the door
'ened and Miss Cavendish hobbled in
It'll her crutch.
She came up to him ana held ont
'th hands.
Now know who Harry Rogers is"
e said, he is doubly welcome" And
9 little old lady kissed him on the
eek.
Miss Cavendish," he began, that
terview-1 must tell you'll must ex.
ain"
MY dear boy, 1t was simply splen.
L. the old lady answered. TT made
feel prouder Of my work than
ght to feel. Not a word more. be.
use am too old to blush, Harry" !
And the young man realized that the !.
tetui, envenomed shaft had passed :,
oy. She was utterly unconscious :.
the hidden satire, of the malignant y
GERS. She was too high to be struck :
Un by the poisoned arrow.
ana while Harry stood in perplexity :
ore her, an awful relief in his heart :
IRA came in. And Miss Cavendish
etly went out of the room.
Laura's kisses comforted him .,
y also made him feel abashed to :.
lowest level of humiliation. =
1 read your beautiful interview :,
rry, she said. And, do you know. n
makes me think you will rise very :,
q, when you can see SO much in
ties writings. Many fine writer's
e misunderstood her and her simnle y
ls-but you didn't, dear. And am r
pier than I can tell" r.
nd 1t was that unconfessed secre, :,
Oh he knew he must bear alone n,
nceforth that made Lauraa
phecy come true. -