The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-27
nARRY's INTERVIEW
BY ADELA GRACE CROWN.

Copyright, 1914. by w. G. Chapman
It is not often that young fellow
after serving an apprenticeship OF two
years on a newspaper, is in a position
to marry. So Harry Rogers accounted
himself a particularly fortunate young
man.
Laura, to whom he had said good-Dy
in the little home town when he start
ed for the metropolis to make his Tor
tune, had remained true to him. he
had been home three times on vaca'
ton, and each time their love nad
seemed more real to both.
Laura was to become his wife with
in a month! She was to go to New
York to stay with her aunt, whom
Harry had never met, and they were
to be married there. In a week ne
would see Laura again.
Symonds, the city editor, called
Harry over to his desk.
Were going to publish a series OF
funny interviews, and l want you TO
handle the first" he said. Its with
the world-renowned authoress, Eliza
beth Crow Cavendish. She wrote A
Girls Safety The Happy Marriage,
etc. Shopgirls' slush, you know, and
takes herself very seriously as an up
lifting power among those who read
her twaddle. Think you can do mock
serious interview to raise laugh?"
Il think So" said Harry.
At eight o'clock that evening he was
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 little regretful
about his mission. Still, 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 q pledge
, of confidence, the manuscript Of her
forthcoming work. "Cynthia's Happy
Choice"
It 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
! funniest Of all the interviews that ap-
! peared.
Harry received no letter from Laura
! for several days. 1t had been planned
that he was to meet her at the station
and take her to her aunt's. He was
beginning to grow uneasy when he re-
/ ceived letter with the Few York
postmark
! Dearest Harry" she wrote, Il have
arrived in New York, and ! thought l
would give you little surprise byslet-
ting you remain in ignorance until l
had actually come. You see, my dear,
the train came In so late at night,
and, with your exacting duties,
couldn't let you come and take me SO
far and miss your sleep. I was quite
we'll cared for by the agent for the
Travellers society.
And now have q little surprise fol
you. My aunt Is no less person than
Miss Cavendish, the famous authoress
What do you think Of that?'
Harry read the letter and sat still
as though stunned. Then he per
ceived that another missive, with 70
mantle pink scented envelope. lay be
side his papers. He opened it. 1t wa:
from Miss Cavendish.
: Il cannot begin to tell you," 1t ran
''how much liked your delightful in
terview. But, Mr.. Rogers. l am afrait
; you have overestimated my influence
among working girls. Come and SCI
me and let US have a nice unprofes
sional chat"
With determination that did no
falter he made his way to Miss Caven
dish's house that evening. VIVA
agonies Of spirit he endured during tn
day only he knows.
He was shown into the same roor
as before. The room was empty. An
while he stood there, desperately gail
ering together the few strands Of coul
age that remained to him, the doc
opened and Miss Cavendish hobbled l
with her crutch.
She came up to him and held on
both hands.
Nov know who Harry Rogers is,
: she said, "he is doubly welcome" An
!. the little old lady kissed him on tn
: cheek.
: Miss Cavendish," he began, "ths
interview must tell you'll must e.
plain"
= my dear boy, it was simply splel
|. did," the old lady answered. 1T mad
= me feel prouder of my work than
ought to feel. Not a word more, b
cause l am too old to blush, Harry"
Z" And the young man realized that Il
!. spiteful, envenomed shaft had passe
|. her by. She was utterly unconscio,
:. of the hidden satire, Of the malignal
:. sneers. She was too high to be stru,
down by the poisoned arrow.
m And while Harry stood in perplexi
70 before her, an awful relief in his heal
n Laura came in, And Miss Cavendi,
a quietly went out of the room.
y II Laura's kisses comforted hi
n they also made him feel abashed
the lowest level of humiliation.
Il. II read your beautiful intervie
m Harry" she said. And, do you kno
=. 1t makes me think you will rise We
a. high, when you can see SO much
III auntie's writings. Many fine write