The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-03
SECOND
FIDDLE
BY Nellie Crsvey Gilmore

MIS-. M0lGdllS turned lTOIn the hit
ror, surprise and displeasure dis
tinctly visible on her youthful, come
ly face. Il must say you're the queer
est specimen of a girl ever saw,
Katherine. The judge is one of the
finest looking men in New York. He
is brainy, prominent, rich-and fool
ishly in love"
From her luxurious stronghold
among the sofa cushions, Katherine
stified yawn. Yes" she assented
meditatively. Indeed | believe that
is all quite true" She watched her
mother with drowsy interest as she
brushed out the heavy masses OF shin
ing gold hair and looped them into an
artistic knot low on her neck.
And what excuse am l to make to
Judge Gresham this time?" she in.
quired stifiy. turning with a little
brisk movement from the mirror
I'm i'll, dearie You know | am.
Think of motoring from nine till one,
lunching golfing till dusk"
An with that impossible Jack
Baker"
"Ah! the door bell now. mother.
Run along and don't keep his judge.
ship waiting"
With a slightly heightened color in
her cheeks. Mrs Metcalfe passed
through the door and closed it quiet
ly behind her And presently Kath
crime heard the sound of their voices
in the library below.
Two hours later Mrs. Metcalfe
came up and found her daughter
peacefully asleep. She half-roused
at the sound Of soft footsteps about
the room and muttered lazily: Dear
me. Muzzie, is it midnight? You
must have found the judge enormous
ly entertaining
Il wonder, Kitty, if you're going tC
come to your senses and quit david
ling?"
Give me time, please; I'm only
twenty. But what do you mean"
why simply that If you're COINS
to marry Judge Gresham you ough
to do it and stop your nonsense" was
the crisp retort
But he hasn't asked me-"
You won't give him a chance"
Half a man would make one--i
he wanted it," she replied significant
ly. But let's go to bed and ge
some beauty sleep; I've an engage
ment at seven to go sailing"
With that Baker,"
Katherine nodded as she slippe,
into bed Mrs. Metcalfe smothered
sigh and the fingers that unfastene
her bodice trembled The clock wa
striking twelve when she turned on
the light. When she awakened tn
following morning Katherine wa
gone and the room was in frenzy q
disorder
At ten O'Clock Katherine had not n
turned and in despair Mrs Metcalf
decided to read the Judges note an
see if it required an answer.
Dear Miss Kitty:
"a want TO take you TO drive benin
new pair of grays. If | may. I sha
appreciate It very much if you wi
let me have your answer at once
Cordially.
"B r. GRESHAM"
"P. ST Mrs. Metcalfe would car
for the drive, you might ask her I
come with us. b. R. G.
The blood famed holly in the littl
mothers face. Her lips set dete
minedly. She wouldn't go-sh
wouldn't! 1t was all her daughter
doing-this bringing her into all the
arrangements-makin her play 'se
ond fiddle" and thus defeating tn
amiable gentleman's obvious int
tions-and arousing his secret di
gust! With the color still beatin
high in her cheeks she sat down ;
her desk and wrote a hasty reply
the letter.
Mrs. Metcalfe had put her 70,
down at last and when, at a few mi
utes past eleven, Katherine burst I'M
the room with sun-blistered cheel
and wind-tossed hair, her moth'
chilled the exuberance on her lips |
a cold glance of disapproval. "Judl
Gresham has invitetd you to driV
with him at three she announce
stif1y. 81 took the liberty Of acceI
ing for you"
Bully! Let's see the letter. dea
ie?" Katherine reached ont her har
for the paper and devoured its co
tents at a glance And YOU" 81
queried.
q? shall remain at home
course"
The girl uttered little incredulol
laugh. "Shucks'" she cried. DO "
imagine ia let you snub him in tn
fashion, Never The fact is, If "
don't go. shan't either"
Mrs Metcalfe knew her offspriI
too we'll to demonstrate. She ha
smiled and her mouth showed sigl
of weakening. I'm sure you'd n
be so selfish and discourteons, Kit
But fo~ fear you might"
You'll go-cerjainly" And hayin
as usual. gained her point. Katherii
bounced up from her chair. kissed b.
mothers check and said breeziI
I'm OF 10 refresh myself with a 60
plunge before luncheon"
AFTER luncheon. vixen Mrs M
L. calfe went up dutifu'y to prepare f
the outing, she found her daught
doing on the bed.
You'd better hurry. dear: it's al
er two" she FASTENED to say. Nj
Netcalfe walked toward the door,
Alone. Katherine suddenly relax
the rein she had held upon herse