The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-15


vote her two to one! Let me tell
you, Vera-this Rose Tyler is the idol
Of the poor people around here. Her
father, a doctor. gave his life to them
during forty years practice. They
are focking to the store to get cou-
pons to vote for her. but of course
their little money will not count
against the Ridgeley dollars"
She struck me as a ladylike beau
tiful girl"
She is Just that" affirmed Olga
ITO her, too. piano would be of
some use. Rose is a proficient mu-
stefan and could add to her income,
teaching"
Vera was thoughtful all the way
home. That afternoon she wrote
number of letters. She did not tell
Olga, but Vera had decided on a plan
to defeat the relentless autocracy of
Miss Ridgeley and help the modest
little dressmaker.
All Vera had to do to have her
numerous knight Grants flock to her
standard. was to advise them of her
place Of retreat The first to arrive
was Gerald Wynne. OF all her male
acquaintances he was the oldest.
They had known each other for years
A great many fancied it would even
tually be match, but no word Of love
had passed between them.
Within three days there was quite
coterie at Wardville. Three of
Vera's girl chums arrived and were
domiciled in the Wolcott home. The
four young men put up at the hotel.
Strangely Vera seemed to forget her
meditated resting up" A series of
enjoyable lawn parties and picnics
filled pleasant program, mere infor-
NAL affairs, and all the more charm.
ing for that.
Miss Ridgeley and her friends pro-
ceeded to sit up and take notice." but
no overtures were made, and milady
Of Wardville was piqued to realize
that her petty exclusiveness had shut
her out from association with the
real quality
"Oh, you clever. clever plotter!"
burst forth Olga one day. And SO
self-sacrificing!
Why, what do you mean, my dear?"
questioned Vera, but flushing con
sciously.
''All you brought your friends down
here for, was to boom our sweet little
dressmaker friend. Rose Tyler, and
she is going to win. too"
Thanks to Gerald Wynne and his
/ liberal cohorts, when the piano con.
test ended Miss Rose Tyler had three
hundred votes over Miss Blanche
. was her own.
/ Il have a great favor to ask OF you
Vera" said Gerald. the day he and his
! friends were to leave Wardville He
looked very earnest. They were seat
ed in the garden with no one neal
them. Vera regarded him fiutteringly
He was fine young fellow He had
been a loyal friend Must she give
him pain-for a deep emotion showed
in his expressive eyes. Vera con
cealed her real anxiety.
| "A favor-regarding?" she intimat
ed smilingly.
II wish your advice"
In matter Of
Love-"
He spoke the word thrillingly, rever
emily. She felt sorry for him. In tn,
intensity of his emotions he hat
caught her hand.
Gerald" she said seriously, :"
should have told you-you. my best
truest friend-that | have been en-
gagged to Mr.. Robert Layton. nov
abroad. for over six MONTHS
Good grand" Gerald amazed he
by saying. He is fine fellow Then
with searching glance: "Oh-di,
you think ! was going to propose t
you? !, who long ago learned tina
you were a dazzling star and al
earthly slow worm! Mr.. Layton! en-
gagged! Then all the more will 20,
use your influence to win for me tn
woman love-Rose Tyler"
"Oh. Gerald" exclaimed Vera. re
lieved and radiant-''is this true?"
True as the esteem, the brotherl
love I feel for you. will always chez
ish. And bless you, good. true siste
and comrade, for making known to m
the sweetest, lOveliest creature l eve
metz
I And so-they were married.