The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-21


And now that have seen you We are
going to have a good old-iashUned
chat, but we cant stand here III this
wet and talk. | am living with my
married sister now ana just came
downtown for a few things to hang on
the Riddles tree. Come on up and
help us fix the things
jake thanked her. but remonstrat,
ed that his attire was scarcely suit
able for an evening call. Marie in
sisted that his clothes made no differ
, ence to her and that her sister would
surely think the same. Anyway, no
matter what her sister might think,
jake was her friend, and that. set
tied it.
They walked to Fourth avenue and
took the subway to Harlem. jake in
sisting on spending ten cents Of his
precious quarter for the carfare, al
though Marie had tried to shove
dime into his hand.
On the way up jake told his story,
F, laying the blame on hard luck and the
/ state officials who had put racing on
! the bum
! Marie listened with quiet attention,
nodding her head here and there and
interfering question now and then
as the eX-bookie seemed about to drift
away from his story.
jake was introduced to Maude and
John, her husband. They were either
too busy decorating tiny Christmas
tree on a stand in the corner Of the
room or else they didn't care. for nei.
Their evinced disapproval of jake.
He was made to feel at home in
the little family circle. and entered
with keen enjoyment the work Of trim
ming the tree and arranging the pres
ents for the two children fast asleep
in the next room
The final arrangement completed
Maude and her husband took a last
peek at the sleeping Riddles and called
jake to see them.
AS the little group stood in the door.
way jake noticed that John put his
arm about Maudes waist and that the
light in Maude's eyes shone with pc
culiar brilliance as she Struggled
closer. 1t was picture of domestic
love and felicity and it touched Jake
deeply
John and Maude having retired for
the night. Jake and Marie were left
alone in the parlor,
Seated before the fireplace. where
the gas log was throwing forth a
CHEEKY heat. Jake asked Marie about
herself
She had left the chorus and all her
former gay companions and was now
employed in IA millinery establishment.
Whats the matter with the show
game?" asked Jake. Too fast for
you?"
Yes. Jake Somehow or other
couldn't let myself drift like the
others had, and when ! came up here
to live with Maudc and John and the
kids, well, they didn't think it was
the best thing for the Kids to have
their aunt in the chorus. Not that
they objected to the chorus part of
it. but then there are SO many other
things that so with it. The gay com
pany, the loose way of living and
things of thai sort ("
$50 you cut it out for the sake OF
the kids"
Eyes, for the kids and for my own
sake | was becoming tired OF the
life, and the home life here seemed tC
touch something in me and make me
want to live right There is nothing
in that fast life, jake; the right way
is the only way You may prosper foI
time on the wrong road, but sooner
or later you come to grief"
Yes, she was right Jake knew. The
wrong way had dragged him down
Drink and loose companions hat
brought him to his present level
For a long time he sat and gazet
at the fire When next he spoke
there was tenderness in his voice
such as had never been there before
"Say, Marie" he said, do you thinl
you could help me get on the RICH
track, the honest road? | want to try
, change 1t has made in you. ! am go
ing to try
Tenderly she put her hand on hi
arm. Il am glad that you will try
You know | always liked you, jake
Somehow you were different from thu
: rest of the old crowd, for you wer'
always a gentleman in your manner
, You would never stand for the rea
rough stuff"