The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-06
NEWS FROM HOME
ey LESLIE GRANGER.

The one from home she laid aside
for more leisurely reading, but the
thick white paper of the other iden
titled it with a wedding, and Laura
opened it eagerly.
To her dismay, the names of Alex
McCune and Harriet Turner stared at
her from the paper. Below was the
date OF the recent wedding. That was
enough. Laura dropped the invitation
and reached for her handkerchief.
Alex, her old-time sweetheart, had
deserted her.
The Office. save for Laura. was emp
ty. Mr.. Jennings had put on his hat
and overcoat and gone home. While
Laura was in the middle of another
good cry, he recalled something he
had neglected and returned.
why, Miss Sheridan What in
the world is the matter?"
"N-nothing! I'm not crying"
Then beg your pardon. Since you
are perfectly happy. l presume there is
no need of sympathy. l have an extra
ticket tonight for the Lyric club con-
cert and thought you might make use
Of it, If you care for music"
Laura sprang up. Thank you!" she
exclaimed, dabbing at her swollen
eyes. Il guess l was crying-wasn't
II"
1T looked a bit like it. Won't you
tell me why?"
Mr.. Jennings sudden interest and
kindness startled her into answering:
"Nellie's gone and Alex is married and
I'm all alone and nobody cares for me
the least bit"
$50 Alex is married."
She looked up surprised. What do
you know about Alex?"
We'll, got to know about him some
way. Regular letters and all that,
suppose. Besides, | couldn't be deaf
10 an allusion you made over the tele-
phone one day. Did-did you-like
him so very much?"
Laura bridled. We'll, | guess
won't die! If I'd really wanted him
I'd have taken him long ago"
Mr.. Jennings nodded approvingly.
Laura went OMIT was comforting
to have some one so sympathetic: Il
don't know what to do now that Mel
lies gone, really ought to go home
to the farm, guess"
DO you mean to say you came from
a wholesome place in the country to
this sin-ridden city just for adven-
ture?"
Yes" wonderingly.
And father and mother and sister
and brothers and cats and chickens
and cows and everything on earth
worth while!"
Yes
"W... d.l you do it?"
81 never got any clothes, and
wanteL-'
Then you were very silly little
girl and you'd better go back" He
put OIL his hat and went out.
For the first time in her life she
Lad seen Mr.. Jennings jolted out Of his
well-poised, gentlemanly self. And he
had called her silly" and banged the
door! He was very rude! Her cheeks
famed red
He needn't think | want to 60 to
his old concert" She picked up the
ticket, meaning to tear it across and
1t upon his desk where he could see 1t
in the morning, Then the words silly
little girl" rang in her ears. He'll
only think me baby"
So she tucked it into her bag, put on
her wraps and went home.
She also got ready that night and
went alone to the concert.
The Lyric club proved to be a glee
club, and Mr.. Jennings member. He
sang a rich barytone which thrilled
Laura despite her effort to find it or
binary.
Toward the end Of the second half,
she began to feel delicious drowsi-
ness. Slowly Laura's eyelids dropped
and at last she was asleep, her head
resting ever so lightly on the back of
her plush seat.
Soon the concert was over, the cur
tain rang down and people started to
file slowly up the aisles to the door.
At last the hall was empty, or so the
usher thought whose duty it was to
turn off the lights and close the doors.
Laura slept on peacefully in the black
loneliness of the great place
Then some one laid hand gently
on her shoulder. She stirred.
Time to get up, is 1t, Nell?"
Yes" said a mans voice-very
it seemed. Its time, Miss
Laura opened her eyes and sprang
TO her feet. The lights were on now.
and before her stood Mr.. Jennings.
Why. where did the people go, and
what's happened to the music? Why
surely II haven't been" She looked
around. bewildered.
You have been having nice little
nap. I've been waiting outside to take
you home. Otherwise you'd have
stayed here until tomorrow. | Just
found you this minute. There, Are
you awake enough to go now?"
She was feeling very little and fool
ISL, and she had meant to be so digni-
he'd He drew her hand through his
arm as they waited for car.
I'm sorry hurt your feelings to.
lay, Miss Sheridan. VIII you forgive
me?"
Yes"
And I'm glad Alex got married and
left you alone"
"Why?"
Because l want to take the vacan.
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