The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-20
! 4 WALKING GENTLEMAN
BY LUCILLE WARRINGTON.

me Help wanted" column of the
newspaper he had bought.
What now" queried Mark.
Listen" and Vance proceeded &c
: read: "Wanted-A presentable, active
| young man of some imagination and
good facial expression. Liberal com
pensation. Mrs. A.. 537 Hawthorn
terrace"
We'll. vum!" exclaimed Mark
Now what In the world does that
mean? What has presentableness
imagination and facial expression to
do with it,"
well. shall try for the position"
announced Vance.
The Hawthorn terrace address
proved to be a fine mansion set in q
charming nest Of greenery and now.
ers. Vance adopted his best bearing
and had handsome features and a we'll.
modelled form to recommend him to
the housemaid. who showed him into
little gem Of a reception room. say.
Ing she would take word to Mrs. Ar
ungton" at once. Vance appropriated
an easy chair and took In the warmth
and comfort Of the room luxuriously.
1t reminded him Of home. He arose
to inspect little bijou Of water
color on the wall. He strolled about
the apartment, taking In the richness
and taste of the hangings. He ran
covetous eye over a wellselected shelf
of books. Then drapery parted and
an active, nervous lady Of perhaps
fifty faced him with keen eyes and q
quizzical smile.
You came about the advertise
ment." she spoke rapidly. well, I
think you will do"
why, madam" began Vance, as
FINISHED at this speedy decision.
"Oh. l have been watching you. and
am sure you will suit. You know
how to walk and gesture, and l can
see possibilities Of expression in your
eyes. l shall need your services from
nine to twelve each day. The com.
pensation will be fifty dollars a week."
Vance gave a gasp. First. will in.
troduce you to my other aid, my
adopted daughter. Rilla!" and che
called loudly: -,
Vance felt as though he had STUN.
bled across some scene Of enchant.
ment. Fifty dollars a week! Three
hours work day! A fellow.wcrker.
one "Rillal" And then "Rilla" came
Into the room. She seemed to bring |
with her the radiance Of rare beauty,
an atmosphere Of roses, smiles and |
kisses commingled. His senses dizzied
% he looked upon this vision % love.
illness.
"You two are to be my special com.
panions." explained Mrs. Arlington.
while Vance grew awkward aAd the
young lady blushed. a. they were In.
troduced after Vance had murmured
bis name. "You see. Mr.. Byford, am
an authoress. They call me Of the
impressionist type. am we'll ground.
ed as to theories and the plot guam.
tity. but deficient as to details. I first
thought Of employing an actor and
an actress. but they would be ranters.
Naturalness is what want. For in.
stance: / am now at the fourth chap
ter Of novel where the young broker
nnds himself ruined, comes to his
room to be alone. and spends an un.
happy hour deciding what he should
do. You need not speak. Just move
about and act out what you would do
under those circumstances. You can
be seated, Rilla. You are to appear
later as his sister endeavoring to
drive away the desperate thoughts =
that come into his mind"
"Oh. excellent! excellent" went ON
the speaker a few moments later, a.
Vance began his unique role. "'Hs
snatched close the draperies like BE-.
Ing at last at bay A fine line! He
sat pondering deeply at his desk. anon
casting desolate glance at it's rich
his no more knew
you would do. ! am truly fortunate!"
Within a few days Vance was en-
rapport with his peculiar position.
Then the experience grew more inter
'sting. Rilla had her part In theepan-
.omime OF suggestion. alone and In
with Vance. There were n.
ZONE vivid love scenes to depict. They IN}
became all too real to Vance Byford.
One evening he met his friend Mark,
With whom he roomed. just outside
he Arlington grounds. They halted
lear the uncovered wall, little
lreaming that Rilla on the other side
vas an auditor.
Then Vance told his troubles He
vas going to give up his position And
therefore? Rilla. Every time In
heir play acting when their hands
net, Vance confessed to a fervent I'm.
estrained impulse to clasp her In his
rms and confess his undying love.
1t was the next morning when Vance
nd Rilla sat awaiting promptinss a.
D some scene from Mrs. Arlington
new in the eyes OF Rilla
ttracted Vance. His hand stole
wards her own. her eyes met his.
Excellent! Maintain that, please"
poke the authoress. her pen travelling
lpidly. "Oh, indeed"
She sat up rigid. staring with CEN
'ring eyes at the twain. Their atti.
lde showed not acting, but real love.
Il think that we will end your serv-
es. Mr.. Byford," she said, icily, but
ter he had gone gloomily from the
'use Rilla sobbed, brokenly:
1t was not play acting. mamma-I
We him and I shall die IL he goes -
vay!"
So, to save the life" OF her char.