Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-04-14

The
MeddlerS
How Their Plans Came to
Naught.
Ry CIApISSA MACKIE
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Inc Veranda OF a hotel in southern
Florida was crowded with people.
some gossiping, others playing bridge,
still others. the younger element, find
ing amusement in watching the tennis
courts.
Beyond the lawn there was a sandy
beach that shelved down to the wa
ter's edge.
The tide was coming in. In another
hour it would be just right for bath
ing.
The boom of surf sounded cool and
refreshing.
On the veranda Mrs. Higginson peer
ed inquisitively at the tennis players.
rs that Amy Delarme. that girl in
white bouncing around the courts?"
Betty Tendon lifted hesJark eyes to
Mrs. H%igginson's round. Heated face.
Amy is there" she admitted in a
o Of dislike, "but she is not bounc-
ing around. She fits like "a moth"
Its all a matter of opinion, my
DEAR" rumbled the older woman in
deep chest tones. rs my daughter
Adelaide there, BettyT'
Betty scanned the lawn with amused
eyes.
NO." she said wickedly. "Adelaide
is sitting On the beach with Professor
Hicks"
Mrs. Higginson uttered a sound half
way between a groan and a sob. 1t
ended in Il hysterical litter as she got
up and numbered toward the beach.
Poor A%delaide-and it's her last
chance!" sighed Betty.
Mavis Cakes looked panied.
what made you tell on her, Betty? p
she reproved.
ITO pay her back for laughing at
Amy"
But you've got Adelaide into a
scrape. | was hoping she would run
away with the professor. He's a dear,
and Adelaide is so funny and solemn
and sweet. How did she ever come
to have such a parent?'
Betty shrugged her shoulders and
stretched her rms in a lazy yawn.
Suppose we go and talk to Amy"
she suggested. perhaps we can help
Adelaide and the darling old profess
sor."
Mavis followed her friend across the
lawn. The players were leaving the
courts, and Amy. followed closely by
Dan MOrland, met them under the
spreading trees.
AS If conjured by some magician, two
other young men appeared to hover
around Mavis and Betty.
"Listen," said Betty, beckoning the
five about her. 81 want you all to help
me. It's about Adelaide"
adelaide Higginson, the daughter of
that awful Mrs. Higginson," explained
Mavis.
"Oh, you mean the bony female and
the old guy with the shell trimmed spec
tacles?' asked Larry Whitford.
Larry! expostulated Mayis. AIDE
laide looks very pretty sometimes, and
if her mother didn't nag so l am sure
she wouldn't look so worn. Listen to
Betty's plan"
my plan is this" said Betty, blush
ing under Harvey's ardent glances. 81
know the professor is wild to marry
Adelaide, and she, poor girl, would like
to, only she's afraid of her mother"
Professor Hicks is probably too
bashful to propose al elopement, but
given the opportunity l am sure he
could persuade Adelaide"
You see," added Mavis, 'if Mrs.
Higginson parts them now they may
never meet again. The professor is a
widower, and widowers are tickle, you
know"
How Interestingly" muttered Larry
in the ear of his ladylove. but Mavis
only pouted. Lets talk about our
selves, Mavis."
"Humph!' scorned Mavis.
"And So" Betty was saying earnest
ly-"and so | thought we six might go
over to Pendleton village and then tel
ephone over for Adelaide to come at
once to the rectory, and another mes
sage to the professor, and when they
get there you boys might suggest to
him about the elopement."
I've gods!" cut in Dan Morland. 1.-THE
man is my friendl'
"Well?" defied the three girls.
Dan gTinned.
"All right" he fastened to say.
HE may decline, or Adelaide may"
said Amy quietly.
"They may. but they won't" retort-
ed Betty wisely.
Every one laughed, and Betty blush
ed.
What else can they do when Mrs.
Higginson is obdurate? She says AIDE
laide must look higher than an under
paid schoolteacher. so if once they are
separated Adelaide's mother will see
that the is killed dead" cried
Betty.
IAN underpaid schoolteacheri" re-
peated Dan Morland thoughtfully.
"Well, Miss Higginson might do worse
than marry Bob Hicks"
"Then you will all helpT" asked
Mayis.