The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-13
.Neiighbors
BY ABBIE FAgWELL BROWN


strange. for the twin dwellings were
not in the fashionable quarter Of the
city, and even on the avenue 1t Is a
wise woman who knows her own
neighbor
The house adjoining bore in its win
dow wistful printed signs Of empti-
ness unsatisfied. In the eye of the
hungry boarding house one can usual
ly read little divers appeal for
more" But the hall bedroom in the
third floor front of this particular
boarding house was no aching void
From it's window the admiring eyes of
Miss Fanny Bate. typewriter, had in
a years off-hours watched the incom-
ings and outgOings of Miss Beacon,
her feminine ideal
In the earlier days it had seemed 10
Miss Bate, fresh from rustic ameni.
ties, the obvious thing that she and
Miss Beacon should become friends.
But, as the long. lonely days went by,
Dorothy came and went her joyous
way, and the paths of the two seemed
as far from meeting as at first,
More than once she had met Miss
Beacon on the street and had shot
timid glances of recognition. But Dor
othy passed. always oblivious of the
neutral-tinted figure hesitating on
curb or crossing Dorothy was not
snobbish, she was merely preoccupied.
Late one spring afternoon Dorothy
was crossing the common on her way
home from a tea. The sun slanted
through the trees pleasantly and
dabbled with golden reflections the
mild surface of the pond small,
ragged child was playing alone on the
curbing, reaching out carelessly over
the water. Even as Dorothy passed
the child lost her balance and splashed
forward. Instantly Dorothy ran to the
rescue, and. forgetting her dainty raj
ment, without much difficulty succeed
ed in dragging out the frightened mite
"Oh, you poor little thing" she
cried, what am | going to do with
you? Where do you live. Baby?" But
the child walled unintelligibly. Dor
othy looked about for assistance
At the moment a little, brown fig
ure hurried up from the other side of
the pond. Fanny Bate, on her way
home from the office, had seen the res
cue with mingled emotions. Here was
her heroine in difficulty Perhaps this
was the chance she sought to insert
the wedge of friendship. She ap-
preached with heightened color.
81 saw it all from the other SIDE"
she said in timid admiration. How
quick you were. Can't do something
to help you? Here, let her have my
golf-cap to keep her warm" and she
pulled the wrap from her shoulders
But the child drew away from the
newcomer and chung. roaring, to the
others skirts. Dorothy knelt beside
her and gently insinuated the cape
about her Now tell me where you
live. Baby" she cooed. with a caress
on the dripping curls. The child
sobbed out the number of an obscure
and dubious street.
Salvation Alley-oh, yes, | know
where that u.s." said Dorothy briskly:
81 will get her home in no time"
But you oughtn't to go alone" ex.
claimed Miss Bate. IT'S not a nice
part Of the city. is 1t? Let me 60
with you"
Miss Beacon was not used to sug.
gestions. "Oh, no, indeed. thank you,"
she said. II can go quite we'll alone.
I visit the North End often in my
charity work. But | will take car.
riage." She stopped to take the child's
hand.
Polly tired" walled the little one.
Lady carry Polly" and she put up
her dripping arms.
"Oh, let met" cried the other girl.
stepping forward eagerly. 1T won't
hurt my old dress" But the baby set
up howl.
mo! Want pretty LADY," she cried,
turning to Dorothy with emphatic
preference. The girl smiled without
a trace Of conceit. you see. must
CO." she said Thank you very much
but 1t will be all right when we are
in the carriage" But at the word
she stopped and her face flushed.
Miss Bate was hesitating. disap-
pointed at the turn of affairs, when
Dorothy changed her mind Excuse
me-" she said. IF you will go with
me. after all. and II you will lend me
the money for the carriage. | shall
be greatly obliged. | forgot that l
have not my purse with me-"
Fanny Bate had in her bag her
weeks salary. "Oh. yes" she smiled
joyfully, Il shall be so glad. 1t is so
much nicer for two to do an unpleas.
ant thing together, isn't it,"
Dorothy picked up the child, and
the rescuers made their way to the
street, where Fanny hailed a cab and
they were soon rolling northward.
Once in the cab. the baby fell asleep,
and Fanny subsidized into bashfulness.
The joy OF being thus suddenly face
TO face with her adored filled her with
selfconsciousness But Dorothy
beamed with atfability. and soon they
were chatting about the queer and
quaint corners Of the old city, which
Fanny apologized for not knowing bet.
ter. 81 Am a stranger here" she said.
81 know little OF the city and very few
people-yet."
You will soon find yourself at
home" said the other girl Il know
that strangers say we are cold and
hard to approach, but | don't believe
It." She smiled so winningly that
Fanny Bates heart beat with triumph.