The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-06
WHAT SIZE COULD DO
BY DOROTHY BCAcKMoRE.
Il

rOF the uret tlm0 In ner HE Uolla'
wished she had been trained in some
kind Of business. All the women in.
England seemed to be capable Of
doing some work in the great war
crisis. and all the Americans living
in London were doing their utmost
to help. yet Della Thorne could, do,
nothing.
Twenty thousand women, have
registered themselves as capable, Of
helping in some capacity or another.
and can't even use . typewriter In.
diligently or figure sufficiently well.
to sell ribbons behind . counter"
Della thrust this appalling fact be-
fore her own mental outlook . hum
dred times a day. She worked her
self into . fervor of resentment
against the system of development,
or lack Of development. that sur
rounded the idle rich. For Della was
one OF the idle rich.
A letter which reached the honor
able secretary Of the Woman's Emer-
gency corps was the outcome OF De-
las frantic desire to do something
and to become q part Of the great
struggling nation.
The honorable secretary, Miss
Diana Mershon. tossed tho letter to,
her brother. who sat working labo-
riously over the days correspondence.
Had Jack Mershon possessed half Of
the robust supply of health with which,
his handsome sister was endowed. he
would have been in the continental
trenches with his comrades.
There IL Q girl after your own
heart, Jack" laughed Diana. Diana
Mershon was an avowed su6ragette,
. successful organizer. and she could
make . telling speech before . multi.
tude Of people. but knew she would
be . failure a. . home.maker.
Jack smiled at tribe wistfully and,
picked up the dainty little letter.
"Hon. Secretary. Dear Madam" he
read. Il am one Of the old-fashioned.
ultra-feminine type of girls. L. there
anything you could suggest my doing
to help the government war service?
I can do absolutely nothing except
keep house. since have been perfect.
ly trained for that purpose. l would
be glad to keep house for some, Of you
fortunate women who are out in tho
busy world; that I can do. Very sin
cerely. Della Thorne."
Diana Mershon wondered. - her
brother read this letter. IL the thought
it had inspired in her own mind would
be suggested to him also. When no
looked up she knew that 1t had.
Bully ideal" he exclaimed, - IL
Diana had already voiced her decision.
I'VE both need an intelligent person
to take our household in charge. don't
we Dr."
She smiled Q bit wistfully a. she
gazed at her brother.
Poor old Jack. know I have made
rather . mess Of homemaking. II
Della Thorne can make IN orderly
home for US she will be doing her
part in the Woman's Emergency
corps. l want . real homo a. much
as you, but don't seem to know just
how to manage IT,"
"You can do everything else 80
we'll. d." he said fondly. Here you
are about to help another poor soul
who is laundering about In the world.
BY Jove, you're a brick!" Jack Mer.
shon never quite knew whether It was
, admiration for his sister or relief In
the prospect of having an old.fash
Toned woman In his household that
drew forth his enthusiasm ON this oc
casion.
+: When Della arrived ct the head
quarters Of the corps In answer d
Diana Mershon's letter. she fell
strangely elated. She had hungered &C
long to be Of some service to some
one that she entered Miss Mershon'i
ONCE with q smile ON her lips and Z
song In her heart.
II feel that you are doing this al
most out of charity" Della said b
Miss Mershon. when arrangements fo'
her to take charge of the big. untidy
kept home had been made.
mo, I have not" Diana assured
her frankly. my brother sh'
glanced over at Jack who was trying
his best not to stare at the new re
cruit-"reQuires q real home. II 20,
can transform the four walls Of THU
house into real home for my brother
and me l believe you will be doing .,
great q good for the country ss IN!
| h,sa aao ~,nnan nonlA AA0
Il feel sure I can do that" Delii
agreed shyly, but with look Of con
hdence in her earnest eyes.
u A month later Jack and Diana wen
about their daily tasks free and rein
vigorated. Gradually the four wall
of the Mershon house became HON,
indeed. and Della was directly respon
sible for the metamorphosis. She ha,
been given the opportunity to exeI
else her one talent and she had sue
ceeded even beyond her expectation
How shall We ever do withou
herr" Diana said to Jack one da,
while they we're still at the oflce
What will become of US when sh
leaves u.s."
There was q look of positive tel
TOR in her eyes and her voice va
!. decidedly unsteady.
Jack smiled placidly. Dear old d
: he said tenderly. she will neve
leave US. have already provide
|, against such q frightful possibilit,
, She has promised to marry me-"
Il
per Syndicate)
What Love Does.
pafienNA-If Ia aafd univ ahn,st m,