The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-10
JANE CARRIERS
CONTRACT
By HELEN ROSS


impecunious as herself, and burst int
the living room. Her flushed face an
sparkling eyes were pleasant to SCI
| oh. girls" she cried, I'm so Sol
~ to be late when it's my night t
cook!"
Yes. you cruel creature. II
starved" joked Miss Mason. "Bu
what is the excitement you're tryin
TO keep from bubbling over?"
The other occupant of the room
Miss Day. anticipating pleasant news
closed her desk.
I'm too high in the clouds to fr.
potatoes. but hungry enough to ca
men,. cried Jane, so come out will
me and Ill treat to a real dinner"
MY. but you're rash! You'll no
be able to buy new shoes this week,
warned Miss Day.
BE merciful and tell the news!'
implored Miss Mason.
Jane swept aside number of pack
ages and perched on the cleared space
Of the table.
i cant believe my good fortune,
she began a trifie unsteadily. "Just
% l was going out for lunch stran
ger, all logged up in stunning motor
ing costume, asked If could direct
MIN to Miss Jane Carter, the interior
decorator. l hated him to see that
shabby hole of studio, but there was
no way out of 1t. He was awfully
nice and didn't look around bit, and
said l was recommended highly as
having excellent ideas and good taste.
: isn't that lovely? He Is the big
banker. Daniel Lord, and wants his
! country home decorated He took me
| there In his motor this afternoon and
the house Is magnificent"
You deserve it. dear" exclaimed
Miss Day. Il can't tell you how glad
! am that luck is finally coming your
way"
Really, girls, it will take months
to do it as he wishes it done and
while we were out there he suggested
one innovation after the other, and is
retaining md great deal longer than
necessary to oversee details Before
left, he made me sign contract
as If ! would balk half way"
Its as well to have all that set
tied" commented the business-like
Miss Mason.
rs he young, old or indifferent?"
chimed In Miss Day. Married"
About thirty-eight and unmarried.
Now I'll die ii don't get something
to eat. If you love me, GOMEZ" groan-
cd Jane, jumping of the table.
They left the apartment and start.
ed towards an Italian cafe, all taking
at once. The sudden change In
James fortunes delighted the older
girls. Jane was to start water-color
drawings Of the rooms the following
day for Mr.. Lords inspection.
When the drawings we're delivered
Mr.. Lord returned them personally
and declared himself delighted. in.
sisting upon paying a liberal retain
ing fee.
Il hated to take that money" con.
hded Jane. blushing a rosy red at the
recollection Of her discussion with Mr..
Lord. "Mr. Lord declared that it was
only good business to accept it,"
When your time is taken for that
length of time. you should be COM
declared Miss Day.
"All the same, 1t seems SO mate !
rial" sighed Jane.
You little Ounce" scolded Miss
Mason; 'all the big decorators do It.
What have you to live on while this
contract is on deck? 1t requires your
attention and all other work
must be dropped
As the decorating of the huge house
progressed, Mr.. Lord found 1t of such
absorbing Importance that he fire.
quently called in the evenings to dis
cuss details. His great motor took
lane to any country houses of his
friends which possessed unusual feat
ares, and the great banker always
Found time to 60 along and satisfy
his thirst for decorative knowledge.
These spins through the gorgeously
,olored October country were fairy.
and to Jane. As they were fire.
luently late returning to town. they
lined at queer inns or picturesque
James frequent lateness
seemed to pass unnoticed by her
riends. and as her financial affairs
certain Injuries, hitherto
Unknown, appeared in the apartment
Isn't she the darling?" remarked
Mss Day. Just think of her trudg.
ng all the way to the market for per.
simmons because she knew | liked
hem. Most girls would be too much
AIKEN up with their own affairs to
hink of others. She's wonderfully
lnselfish."
Indeed she u.s." agreed Miss Ma.
on. DO you know | have an idea
hat she is very fond of Mr.. Lord in
delightfully."- friendly way. SO let's !!
70 careful not to spoil her innocent
Measure in his kindness and consider,
ton for her. She is such a sensi.
I've little goose. and If she got the
dea that his interest is more for her '
han her work 1t would be a shock" b
He can't help admiring her work" b
answered the loyal Miss Day. Meth. t
can he help admiring such an \
arrest little worker. Jane ia too c
ensible to misunderstood his kind. c
ess." q
She got up to answer the doorbell v
nd returned carrying long boz. Y
That's the third box of American C
eauties this week." she observed. Il
Il hope he doesn't oyerdo IL. h. a
an Miss Day. anxiously If" a
But Jane returned from the country c.