The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-25
CARRIE Was CUTE!
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

self man of the world from the view !
point of Coles Crossing
The errand upon which he was bent |
just now being somewhat out of the |
ordinary, Jim felt nervous and ill at
ease and the marble-corridored apart
ment hotel was so entirely different
from Parks tavern.
The elevator left him at the sixth
floor and slid downward out of sight.
The quiet was broken by football,
and maid in blue and white striped
dress appeared. Here at least was a
human being. Jim took off his hat
and bowed. Can you tell me which
door is Mr. Jerome Covington's?"
I'm going there now" she said curl
ously I'll take you"
So Jim followed the girl with her
busters and armful Of clean linen and
knocked at the door where she
stopped. 1t was opened by a good
looking man with palette on his arm.
And as the girl disappeared into the
room beyond he turned to Jim. Good
morning" said he pleasantly.
ATe-dTe you MT. CONllStOn.
Yes. Went you come in and sit
down? Do you smoker" He took some
cigars out of a humidor and held them
out. Jim selected one with hand
that shook. but made no effort to light
it. He looked nervously around at the
luxurious sitting room. slid the cigar
into his pocket and broke out I'm
Jim Wallis from Coles Crossing. |
hear you're going to board at
Merckle's out our way. Is it true?"
The artist took couple of puffs at
his own cigar and knocked off the
! ashes. why, yes! l believe that's
the name.
well" went on Jim, who was
gaining courage with returning hostil-
ity as he noted the strong, attractive
face, well set shoulders and easy man.
ner of the other. Il thought Id let
you know that I'm engaged to Carrie
Merckle and won't have any fooling."
The ol2cr man looked thoughtful.
| Tho girls in the movies do secm to
| have pencnant Tor velvet coats ana
hoNllltS ii'o' It NutNl, 1914 II IL
Miss Carrie has the same tendency it
might be bad for you-that's true
What would you suggest"
Jim, Modified, sprang up and held
out his hand. Thanks That's the
talk. / thought YOU would understand.
Couldn't we find you another place"
mo. I'd rather go there 1t just
suits. But if woar'a smock-how
would that do? They are SO Olsen
chanting And | could put on spec
tacles if you think it would help and
wear a wig for that matter"
Until the time Of departure, Jerome
Covington gave little or no thought to
Jim's petition. He promised easily-it
was not always SO easy to make good.
However, as he was packing, Jim's
it," said he to himself. 1T would be a
nuisance t. have come silly girl sim
pering always in tho background any
way" So he bought loose smock, a
wig and spcctacles. Here's to hard
work and isolation he cried as he
! HulSutu pd'hihS.
There goes the new boarder tc
Merckle's!" said someone the next day
as the city express moved away and
man got into a buggy beside Carrie
Jim had seen and was satisfied. Even
he doubted the identity of his late ac
quaintance.
| Carrie fell Immediately and desperate
ly in love with the dreadfullookine
newcomer. Her infatuation was per
fectly evident because she made nc
secret of it. Jim moaned wretchedly
His worst fears were realized. III
she's swallowed him while with al
that truck on. what would she have
done to the real thing? believe he's
squealed. He's fooled me. For no cir
on Gods earth could care for fellow
like that. He looks more like q scare
crow than a man. I'm going to fine
out the truth" So, seeking an oppor
tunity, he collared his man one morn
ing crossing field to his favorit'
haunt.
Jerome Covington heard him out
then, looking cautiously in every di
rection, he whispered: Ssh! Mayb'
she's around Do you know, Jim,
can't understand it. | befieve She
: trying to make you jealous"
, Jim shook his head more puzzle'
| than ever She's not that kind of cir
and there's no cause to make M
! jealous.
A week later Jerome Coviugtol
, packed his bag and still RESPECTABLE,
/ and bewigged. paid his bill and dc
, parted.
The next day Jim got a note and a
Enclosure Dear JIM" read the note
81 think this explains all | found
I among my papers when got home.
must have picked it up and forgot
ten about it, Good luck and goo
!. wishes. j. c.
- The Enclosure was as follows: "Dea
{ Carrie, / am writing to tell you tina
I your beau came to see man her
3 the other day when | was cleaning on
Q of his rooms. or course | couldn
help hearing all they said. 1t seem
: that Jim is afraid you might fall |
love with Mr.. Covington-he is S
4 good looking. So they've made 1t u
Z between them to fix him up as ugly a
!. possible Don't believe all you Sc,
l. I'm senGing you his picture which
got off a table think Jim's fooiisl
l. for ] know what kind of a girl yo
Il are ard he locked to. me like the rigt
o sort. Write sc5n. Your loving cousil
L lane Her1