The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-24
THE GREEN
MANIKIN
A Story With Heart
Interest"
BY AGNES G. BROGAN

When David Bronson heard an Amer
lean speaking voice in that little far
away Partisan restaurant an emotion
that was surprising surged within him.
80 this was what had been the trou-
BILE Of late, this the cause of his IN
finished bOok-h0mesickness, pure old
fashioned homesickness"
Long ago. as lad, he had realized
this desperate feeling. Now the sound
Of that familiar tongue brought back
Q longing to be among his own" which
was almost unbearable, back again III
little old New York." for from her ac
cert the speaker had also lived in that
vicinity. Bronson whirled about to
look at her. Demure and unaware OF
admiring glances. she sat at nearby
table, "conspicuously simple" in he,
close fitting black suit and turban.
Bronson struggled against an uncon
trollable desire to hear again that soft
voicing of his mother tongue. then with
a muttered, May II" sank into seat
at the opposite side Of the table. The
restaurant being unduly crowded. his
ed. Happily absorbed, he gaZed at the
lovely, downcast face Of his companion,
and she, glancing up at last, smiled. A
frank, engaging smile it was, like that
Of a friendly child.
"The salt?- Bronson asked politely
while the girls smile deepened
so you, too, are American" she said
All the pentup longings Of the man 5
home yearning soul broke forth at her
question.
"American-yes," he answered, land
If you could but know the joy it gives
me merely to be again in the presence
Of an American! l might have sought
out my countrymen here, l suppose,
but"-he laughed shortly-"I did not
recognize my need until l heard your
voice."
The girl leaned impulslvely forward
II know" she breathed. "Oh, know!
For weeks I've been fighting off the
desire to 60 back. Sometimes it was
almost too strong for me. I've got to
stay here, you see. must, until
"Until,' he prompted gently. The
girl drew back, continuing her meal.
Until I make good" she answered
quietly.
STUDENT" the man questioned She
nodded her head.
There are SO many of u.s." she said
ruefully, "'would be- artists. musicians
mostly failures"
"And you?"
The girls low laughter ended in a
wry smile. "I'm an art failure" she
replied, with shrug of the shoulders.
BronsOn's quick glance was sympa,
thetic
perhaps not" he encouraged. Bet
ter stick 1t out little longer and see"
She arose, drawing on her gloves, and
stood looking now on the gloves. now
on him.
II intend to-" she answered brightly
With visible regret the author also
arose.
Pardon the bOldness of fellow
American" he entreated, but may
not hope to see you againi"
why notT" the girl carelessly re
sponded. II dine here every day
So it happened that the small table
beneath the window came quite natu-
rally to be place Of meeting, a place
for the exchange Of simple condolences,
for comforting recollections of home
beloved scenes and home happy times.
To the man this one hour was sort of
panacea for all the trials Of a troubled
day. About 1t his dreams centered as
a reward for nightly hours Of writing
And the girls open pleasure in these
meetings was a constant growing JOY.
"Do you know" she asked in her in
genuous way, II cannot get over the
idea that have known your face be-
fore? 1t was strangely familiar from
the first, and yet
Then David Bronson knew that his
hour Of announcement had come. II
had been gratifying thing to hide
for time from the paths of fame and
to feel that his unknown personality
had powers of its own to awaken In
terest and pleasure. With sigh he
drew forth his card and placed 1t be.
fore her.
David b. Bronson the girl read
aloud, while recollection widened In
her eyes.
Not" she said In a tone Of awe
mot David Bronson, the author?"
He nodded abruDtly
And you are writing a book over
here she went on slowly. "a boob
with French setting perhaps and one
of your wonderful American heroinesT
THE heroine" he confessed. proves
disappointment. She is so exactly
what she seems TO be-commonplace
no human heart interest"
The girl turned YEARLY aside. His
admission of greatness seemed all al
once to put him far from her presump
ton of friendship.
Look about you,'' she said. You'll
find human heart stories among us
ALL"
Bronson got hastily into his coat
Just this once" he begged. "allow me
10 walk with you"
Heretofore this request had been re
fused Now the girl deliberated
You may come" she agreed.
Down the sunlit narrow street they
went. crowds iostling her slim figure
against the shelter of his arm-oI
All Have Three Forms.
All things in the world have thre'