The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-26

for cup of tea and roast lamb with
mint sauce
Il hate the old theater.." she muir.
INJURED once. for never had she had
any encouragement from the score of
managers and agents she had inter
viewed.
She put on her hat and coat and went
Out to mail a letter to her mother.
Little mother mustn't worry about
me-" she thought.
Halfway down the first flight Of
stairs her heel caught in a hole In the
carpet and she fell-fell straight into
the arms Of big young man who was
coming upstairs carrying a plate. On
the plate was large, Juicy lamb chop
and fresh roll 4
The chop and the roll jumped from
the plate and landed ON Linnie's muir.
She sat down violently ON the stairs,
while the young man staggered to re-
gain bis balance, succeeded and stared
helplessly down at her.
For Linnie had seized the chop and
was eating 1t with little purring sounds
OF satisfaction while she tightly held
the roll In her other hand.
"Graciousw he gasped. What are
you doing that for%
"Pm hungry" retorted Linnie def
antly. 81 know you think am per
fectly dreadful. but-but it's awful to
be hungry
"Jove! What are you doing in this
house hungryr' he demanded.
Linnie explained. Her courage had
all oozed out when she had grasped
the lamb chop. Her face was sutfused
with burning bushes.
She did not look at the face of the
young man. She could not have told
you whether he was dark or fair. She
only knew that his voice had q ia.
miliar ring as he explained that he was
merely taking the chop and roll up to
his pet dog.
what will you DOR asked Linnie,
with downcast eyes.
"Oh, get another chop" he said cheer
fully. Meanwhile take my advice and
don't stay in this town any longer.
Take your $3.50 and 60 home with It
Homes the best place for you"
81 said wouldn't come back until I
succeeded" protested Linnie.
He laughed infectiously.
Rubbish! 1t takes more courage
and grit to go home and face the folks
and admit defeat than 1t does to strug-
gle on and starve to death. Go home"
81 WILL" said Linnie, holding out her
hand. THANK you for your advice"
So they shook hands over 1t, and Lin
ME decided that she would not write
to her mother. She would appear there
herself. Would not her Homecoming
be better than any letter?
The young man crossed the hall and
entered the large front room. A dogs
joyful bark welcomed him, and Linnie
heard him soothing the hungry beast.
"How horrid I've beenl He must be
Disguised with me-" she thought as she
packed her trunk before going to bed
The next night she was safe at home
In her mothers arms and repeating fol
the twentieth time her experiences In
the great city.
"How could I have left such a heav
emily place as thisT sighed Linnie al
she looked around the comfortable
rooms and upon her beloved family.
Months went by, and Linnie grew
contented at home. Never more was
she lured by the attractions Of the
stage, and she gave herself up to the
mysteries of housekeeping and home
making with such ardor that the vii
lage gossips limited that Linnie Way
land was going to be married
But marriage was far away from
Linnie's thoughts. II ever she thought
Of a possible lover there came 9
strange throbbing in her breast and
the memory Of that moment on the
stairs Of the boarding house when she
had eaten the lamb chop under the as
tonished gaze of the most attractive
man in the world
) 81 wonder she would murmul
blushingly, and then dream of giant
youth with a mellow voice and kindly
! eyes.
1t was one February day that Lin
MES dreams came true In the most I'm
expected manner.
I'm going for a walk, mother" she
announced. putting her head into the
sitting room.
J Every well, dear. II you're passing
} Polly Smiths just take her a glass Of
currant Jelly. She has been quite
SICK"
Iinnie walked across the hard crusi
Of snow, pausing now and then to slide
over the shining surface. Polly Smiths
house was at the end Of the village
street.
, ''Coms inI'' sounded PoIly's cracked
voice, and Linnie entered.
''The doctors here, but you can come
right In" called Polly from the sitting
! room, and in went Linnie.
. The doctor arose and turned around
"GraciousP' he CALCULATED, and held