The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-04
his Big STORY
BY JANE OSBORN.


Morris-Norris wedding Get away |
from the stereotyped society dope. !
The Morrises are always doing some !
thing sensational and the Norrises
have controlling ownership in the tin
trust that we have been fighting. Go
as far as you like; don't hesitate to
offend any one, but at any cost get a
first page story
A half hour later Tom was part Of
the gay assemblage of the city's rich
est and most exclusive set that had
gathered at the palatial Morris resi-
dence to witness the most deliberately
planned wedding of the season.
During the strains of the wedding
march Tom watched intently. He had
the names of the bridesmaids before
hand and there was nothing in their
conventional prettiness and, studied
| gait to attract his attention. But with
the approach of the maid Of honor
the famous society," belle, Doris Dab
ney, who seemed to advance like a
! goddess in an aura Of blues and
mauve-Tom shared in the general
wave of Arbitration.
Tom looked closely studying the
beautiful features of the young woman
as she passed near him to the bower
of roses set up at one end of the Nor
ris ballroom. He paused almost
staggering with the impression that
suddenly came to him.
It's Jane" he said half aloud, and
! A.. A.. y,
continued and the Morris pedigree and
the Norris millions were united in
that famous marriage Tom stood as
one in daze. How had Jane Lane,
the girl he had loved in his boyhood,
whom he had not seen for five years,
to be sure, but whom, in his heart Of
hearts, he loved still-how had this
country girl been transported to this
scene of wealth and elegance? She
had been as poor as he in the days
when they went to school together,
and there she was, dazzling in a gown
that must have cost more than he
earned in three months and wearing
jewels worth a kings ransom.
What of Doris Da5ney, the society
beauty who had been expected to act
as maid of honor? Could Jane be
Doris? Was he dreaming?
The story. 1t was as good as writ
ten, Every one had expected Doris
Dabney to act as maid Of honor. Doris
resembled Jane amazingly, for no
had not appeared He would talk to
Jane and get the whole story.
When Tom had made his way to
Jane he noticed that she seemed in
tent on avoiding conversation. But
he was insistent, and Jane" uttered
in a whisper banished her reserve
Tom rushed from expressions of Joy
at seeing her to a volley of questions
. and Jane enthusiastically told him
the whole secret She was serving as
governess in the Morris family. Hell
resemblance to Doris Dabney had
/. often been remarked.
5 Then the very day Of the wedding
( Doris Dabney disappeared. 1t was &
!. scandal, of course. She had eloped
1 with her fathers goodlooking Danish
chauffeur If the news leaked out II
A would spoil everything. So Jane had
>. been called to the rescue to play the
|. part of Doris, to wear her gown and
a to appear with the priceless Dabney
n pearls and sapphires for the wedding
Toms elation was divided between
r delight at having found Jane and JOY
r at having found his big story" He
9 was hurrying away when Jane, fol
}. lowing him. put a hand on his arm.
r "How did you happen to be here?'
n she ask you don't travel in the
J. Morris set Tell me, Tom"-there wal
a anxious appeal in her voice-"are 20,
a still with the Morning Starr"
II Then Tom, now more intent on hi
story than on his revived love 70
a Jane, and Jane, herself afraid OF beinl
!. discovered, departed hurriedly q
"a some guests came toward them.
Il It was nearly midnight, and Ton
q was pounding the keys Of his type
writer in the sitting atmosphere o
r the city room of the Morning StaI
n He was Just hammering out the las
n paragraph of his big story" a rea
X scoop" for the Morning Star, for non
D. OF the other papers could possibl
10 have got wind OF the scandalous elopt
ment of the beautiful Doris.
Tom felt pressure on his arm an
a sweet voice at his side. It wa
n Jane, Jane shorn OF her jewels an
g with simple street suit in place 0
D. Doris finery.
n "Is 1t too late?" she asked breath
n lessly. Il came as soon as / could
t. know when / ask you that you won
lie make use of the story ! gave you.
IS told you because you are friend
q
y Ten minutes later. Toms story c
1t the Morris-Norris nuptials, shorn Q
all its sensation having gone
press, Tom and Jane left the Office c
the Morning Star. 1t was in d.
serted surface car that led TO tn
~ Morris home that Jane pressed Tom
q hand to thank him for what he ha
10 done.
N 1T was hard" admitted Tom. and
~ wouldn't have done IL for anyone els
% in the world. But I've always love
70 you, Jane, and for you / would Civ
10 up the biggest story | ever trappe
a. down And now I've found you. littl
NJ Jane. am not going to let you CO."
q, And something in James smile a
l.. Il l.