The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-05
A. BUSINESS DELL
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


chock-full of advertisements of all
kinds, from pastry flour to gold mines.
And he was hourly besieged by agents
of both sexes who insisted upon show
ing him only editions" and improved
razors.
Mike, the Office boy, was able to dis
suade too persistent males. but Dor
othy Darlington was prepared for
Mike. She had heard of him, and.
arming herself for the ball game,
Mike went down an easy victim.
Richard Adrian had decided that it
was near enough to noon to escape
from involuntary Incarceration, as he
always referred to his office, when
Dorothy breezed in and shut the door.
How do you do? Please don't
blame your boy for letting me in He
couldn't help it. I'm sorry IL you
were getting ready to go home, be-
cause l can't afford many ball-game
tickets, you know
I'm sorry l can't ask you to sit
down. You see l must get away i'm
mediately." This was the prettiest
one yet, and he had no desire to eX-
ercise his masculine wits against
beauty in need.
'Oh, am so sorry. wanted to sell
you some life insurance"
Great Scott! I've got twenty-five
thousand that | don't need. Besides,
I'm not married, and haven't any wife
to leave it to-"
but couldn't you get married."
Yes, yes. | suppose so. Well. sit
down, Miss Darlington. I'll take five
| thousand of your Insurance. but Wen
| say-in favor Of my sister, to be trans
ferred just as soon as | can find a
| suitable wife"
| How lovely!" exclaimed Dorothy,
think | am going to like the insurance
business"
| Two months later Dorothy had to
| get past Mike again. Never mind
| how she managed it, but she did
| This time she was asked to sit
down. But, really, l cannot take
any more insurance, Miss Darlington.
I've made all my second cousins bene-
ficiaries now"
But it isn't insurance this time, "
she declared. Its house. I'm sell
ing real estate now. Nobody but you
would take any insurance."
but. ! don't want house, either.
I'm not married, you see, and"
"Oh, haven't you got wife yet?
You said you would, so | supposed
you had. I'm Just crazy about it my
self. All porches and gables and a
sun parlor and a lawn and garden
have a picture of it here. There!
Isn't it beautiful? Only the colors
don't show up the flowers and grass
and trees, | mean"
Richard looked harder at the flushed
! cheeks and shining eyes than he die
at the picture, but it really was al
attractive house. 1t was fine day
and his car was at the curb.
Il won't promise to buy the place
but | might take a look at it. Miss
Darlington Wont you go with nj
in my car and show it to me?"
Ht lOuot WAS All tndt IolOtHl
claimed, and Richard Adrian enjoyed
the excursion immensely. Not ;
bad speculation, he thought. Il be
lieve I'll take it over"
So the deal was made and thing
settled down as before.
Some weeks later Mike opened thu
office door "A lady to see you, sir,
he announced.
Il am so glad to find you in" ex
claimed Dorothy Darlington, as Rich
ard Adrian Hospitality held out hi
hand and proffered a chair.
3 And | am glad you came, Misi
!, Darlington There is only one thin
l am sorry for-that cannot buy an
4 other house. You see l am propert.
4 poor now, and"
But I'm not selling houses thi
y time. I'm in the jewelry bushes
now. I've brought catalogue an
}. thought you might want somethin
+ for your-wife. il you have one yet?
mo, I'm not married yet"
e "Oh! Aren't you? | was sure 20
would be by this time. And there ar
e such beautiful things here in the boo
pendants, brooches, bracelets an
J rings I'm crazy about all Of theI
myself"
q Richard looked at her oddly. "You
enthusiasm is certainly contagious,
S he said Won't you tell me what yo
l. like best?"
o She bent over and touched the one
I pages here and there where jewele
ornaments were pictured
And what ring do you like best
: This onei" She turned fe'
pages and pointed to ruby and dit
y mond set together.
Richard looked at her softly wavin
hair under the becoming little ha
Il her clear, velvety skin, and her fran
blue eyes. He had been dreamin
dreams of late.
Z Miss Darlington, you've insure
u my life and sold me house for
, prospective bride, who hasn't mat
rallied. Now you want to sell me
ring for the same NEUROLOGICAL pc
. son. Unless you can supply the wifi
!. too, I'm afraid there is no use in bu
i ing the ring
THE wife? | don't understand"
2 Won't you be my wife, Dorothy
love you. You'd better say Yes
you want to sell me the ring. Won
: you?"
= She did not speak but he read h
u IN hpr ba