The Lamar register., 1916-02-16

they left the place. Il shall see that
Miss Tyler does not lose the money
she so sorely needs. What a viper
that RIdgeley girl is! The most pop.
ular girl! She? Why, outside of the
money spent on her by her servile
admirers Miss Tyler here would our-
vote her two to one! Let me tell
you, Vera-this Rose Tyler is the idol
or the poor people around here. Her
father. a doctor. gave his life to them
during forty years practice. They
are fiocking to the store TO get cou-
pons to vote for her, but curse
their little money will count
against the Ridgeley dollars.
She struck me as a ladylike beau
tiful girl"
She is Just that" affirmed Olga,
ITO her, too, piano would be of
some use Rose is a proficient mu-
stefan and could add to her income,
teaching"
Vera was thoughtful all the way
home That afternoon she wrote a
number of letters. She did not tell
Olga, but Vera had decided on plan
to defeat the relentless autocracy of
Miss Ridgeley and help the modest
little dressmaker.
All Vera had to do to have her
numerous knight Grants flock to her
standard. was to advise them of her
place of retreat The first to arrive
was Gerald Wynne. OF all her male
acquaintance he was the oldest.
They had known each other for years
A great many fancied it would even.
tually be match. but no word of love
had passed between them
Within three days there was quite
a coterie at Wardville. Three OF
Veras girl chums arrived and were
domiciled in the Wolcott home. The
four young men put up at the hotel,
Strangely Vera seemed to forget her
meditated resting up" series Of
enjoyable lawn parties and picnics
filed a pleasant program mere infor.
NAL affairs. and all the more charm,
ing for that.
Miss Ridgeley and her friends pro.
ceeded to- sit up and take notice" but
no overtures were made. and milady
OF Wardville was piqued to realize
NhoN hti ptAlN tANAuHlNtlltHH llhh Ellhl
her out from association with the
real quality"
"Oh, you clever. clever plotter,"
burst forth Olga ore day. And SC
self-sacrificing!
Why. what do YOU mean, my dear?"
questioned Vera. but flushing con.
sciously.
IAN you brought your friends down
here for. was to boom our sweet little
dressmaker friend, Rose Tyler. and
she is going to win. too"
Thanks to Gerald Wynne and his
liberal cohorts. when the piano con.
test ended Miss Rose Tyler had three
hundred votes over Miss Blanche
Ridgeley, and the coveted instrument
was her own.
Il have a great favor TO ask OF you
Vera" said Gerald. the day he and his
friends were to leave Wardville He
looked very earnest They we're seat
ed in the garden with no one near
them. Vera regarded him fiutteringly
He was a fine young fellow He ha6
been a loyal friend Must she give
him pain-for a deep emotion showed
III MS expressive eyes era con
cealed her real anxiety.
"A favor-regarding?" she intimat
ed smilingly
81 wish your advice
In a matter Of
Lovei"
He spoke the word thriIlingly. rever
emily. She felt sorry for him. In tn,
intensity of his emotions he hat
caught her hand
Gerald" she said seriously, 4"
should have told you-you. my best
truest friend-that have been en-
gagged to Mr.. Robert Layton nov
abroad. for over six months"
Good! grand" Gerald amazed hel
by saying He is a fine fellow. Then
with a searching glance: "Oh-diC
you think I was going to propose t.
you? l. who long ago learned tina
you were a dazzling star and | al
earthly glow worm Mr.. Layton, en-
gagged Then all the more will vol
use your influence to win for me tn,
woman Iove-Rose Tyler"
oh. Gerald" exclaimed Vera. re
lieved and radiant-"is this true?~
True as the esteem. the brotherl,
love feel for you, will always cher
ish. And bless you, good, true sistei
and comrade. for making known to m,
the sweetest, loveliest creature eve,
met