The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-15
|Neiighbors:
(Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott Coz
BY ABBIE FARwELL BROWN

her next-door neighbOr. This was not
strange, for the twin dwellings were
not in the fashionable quarter Of the
city. and even on the avenue 1t is a
wise woman who knows her own
neighbor.
The house adjoining bore in its win
dow wistful printed signs of empti-
ness unsatisfied. In the eye of the
hungry boarding house one can usual
ly read little divers appeal for
more" But the hall bedroom in the
third floor front of this particular
boarding house was no aching void
From its window the admiring eyes of
Miss Fanny Bate, typewriter, had in
a years off-hours watched the incom-
ings and outgoings of Miss Beacon.
her feminine ideal.
In the earlier days it had seemed 10
| Miss Bate. fresh from rustic ameni-
ties, the obvious thing that she and
| Miss Beacon should become friends,
| But, as the long, lonely days went by,
| Dorothy came and went her joyous
| way, and the paths of the two seemed
as far from meeting as at first.
More than once she had met Miss
Beacon on the street and had shot
timid glances of recognition. But Dor.
othy passed, always oblivious of the
neutral-tinted figure hesitating on
curb or crossing. Dorothy was not
snobbish, she was merely preoccupied.
Late one spring afternoon Dorothy
was crossing the common on her way
home from tea The sun slanted
through the trees pleasantly and
dabbled with golden reflections the
mild surface of the pond A small
ragged child was playing alone on the
curbing. reaching out carelessly over
the water. Even as Dorothy passed
the child lost her balance and splashed
forward. Instantly Dorothy ran to the
rescue, and, forgetting her dainty raj
ment, without much difficulty succeed
ed in dragging out the frightened mite
"Oh, you poor little thing" she
cried, what am going to do with
you? Where do you live, Baby" But
the child walled unintellgibly Dor
othy looked about for assistance.
At the moment little. brown fig
ure hurried up from the other side O
the pond. Fanny Bate, on her wa,
home from the office, had seen the res
cue with mingled emotions. Here WA.
her heroine in difficulty Perhaps thi.
was the chance she sought to inser
the wedge of friendship. She ap
preached with heightened color
IL saw 1t all from the other side,
she said in timid admiration. How
quick you were! Can't do something
to help you? Here, let her have m.
golf-cap to keep her warm and sh'
pulled the wrap from her shoulders
But the child drew away from tn,
newcomer and chung, roaring. to tn
others skirts. Dorothy knelt besid
her and gently insinuated the cap
about her Now tell me where yo
live. Baby" she cooed, with a cares
on the dripping curls. The chill
sobbed out the number of an obscur
, and dubious street.
, Salvation Alley--oh, yes, | kno,
where that is" said Dorothy briskly
, Il will get her home in no time
But you oughtn't to go alone" el
, claimed Miss Bate. IT'S not a mic
part of the city, is it? Let me &
! with you"
: Miss Beacon was not used to su,
3 gestions "Oh, no, indeed, thank you
Z she said. II can go quite well alon'
I visit the North End often in m
] charity work But ! will take a ca
rage" She stopped to take the child
. hand.
/. Polly tired" walled the little on
, Lady carry Polly" and she put u
her dripping arms.
"Oh, let mel" cried the other cir
stepping forward eagerly 1T won
:. hurt my old dress But the baby 8,
v up howl.
n No, Want pretty LADY," she erie
q turning to Dorothy with emphat
, preference The girl smiled witho,
a trace of conceit you see, ! mu
r CO." she said Thank you very muc
but il will he all right when we al
q in the carriage But at the wol
h she stopped and her face flushed.
!. Miss Bate was hesitating. disa
e pointed at the turn of affairs, whe
!. Dorothy changed her mind "Excu'
\, me-" she said "if you will go wit
r me. after all, and IL you will lend n
the money for the carriage. sha
IS be greatly obliged. forgot that
h have not my purse with me
e Fanny Bate had in her bag h
e weeks salary oh, yes. she smile
e joyfuliy. Il shall be so glad 1t is
r much nicer for two to do an unplea
ant thing together, isn't it,
Dorothy picked up the child, al
the roscucrs n ade their way to Il
street. whore Fanny hailed cab al
T they were soon rolling nOrthwar
N Once in the cab, the baby fell aslee
u and Fanny subsidized into bashfulne:
le The joy of being thus suddenly ia
e to face with her adored filled her wi
self-consciousness But DorOtl
d beamed with afiab ity. and soon tn
III were chatting about the queer al
~ quaint corners Of the old city, wifi
- Fanny apologiZed for not knowing b,
10 ter. 81 am stranger here" she sa
T. 4 know little of the city and very ft
people-yet"
You will soon find yourself
y home" said the other girl Il knt
that strangers say we are cold al
20 hard to approach, but | don't belle
70 it" She smiled so winningly III
-,sL 81,