The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-15
BY EARL REED sILvERs.

supper IdDle was Ine pTeLlleSL girl
he had ever seen. Directly after sup
per he presented himself for introduc-
ton.
''This is Miss Huntley Of White
Plains" the chaperon announced.
Shrimp's heart stood still.
"Tm delighted to meet you" he
stammered. II didn't know anyone
was coming here from White Plains"
She smiled up at him.
"Why not from White PlaInsT' she
asked.
"Oh, no reason at ALL" he assured
her. Then he added, II know a girl
in White Plains. Her name IL Ger.
| trude."
'What's her last nameT
II don't know"
"What7 You don't known?
'T'll tell you all about it." he an
nounced, IF you'll tell me your first
| NAME"
But Shrimp was doomed to disap-
pointment, for at that psychological
moment Bill Scudder, his roommate,
appeared on the scene.
'If you want to get to the dance
on Time" he advised Miss Huntley,
"you'd better start getting dressed
now"
According to the established custom
of roommates, Shrimp and Bill Scud-
der exchanged the second dance.
II believe we were talking about
names when we were interrupted"
Miss Huntley began, as soon as they
whirled Off together. "You were go
Ing to tell me about that Gertrude,
from White Plains"
II was" Shrimp answered, "but
I've concluded not to do 1t until you
tell me your NAME"
"We'll compromise! She threw
back her head and smiled up at him.
''You tell me the story first, and then
maybe I'll solve the mystery"
1.-TWO days ago" Shrimp began. ~
received box Of candy from White
Plains. In 1t was note from a girl
named Gertrude"
"What did the girl say in the note?"
"That she'd see me at the dance"
"And you haven't seen her YETI"
II don't know" Shrimp's eyes ques-
toned her. 'What do you think?"
"Oh! l think you'll meet her, all
right" She hummed softly. "This is
n wonderful dance. isn't it?"
The music stopped, and Shrimp led
his partner to the porch of the gym
| naslum.
"You haven't told me your name"
he reminded her.
swell !" She hesltated, and the
music for the next dance floated out
to them. "My first name is Doris"
"Oh!" Shrimp's face registered dis
appointment Honest Indlan2"
Honest and true" She looked at
him with mock seriousness. "Are you
dreadfully disappointed7"
"Yes." Shrimp spoke dejectedly. 81
had set my heart on your being Ger
| trude."
Bill Scudder, glancing through the
open door, saw them.
'This is my dance, Gertrude" he
called.
$50 1t isl Good-by, Mr.. Black"
swell, what do you know about
thatl" Shrimp watched until Scudder
and the girl had disappeared.
Finally, the evening wore away, and
he found himself dancing with her
again.
"Will you please tell me what your
first name really is?" he asked.
She looked at him soberly.
ION my honor" she answered, "my
first name is Doris"
"Then why did Bill call you Ger.
trude1"
Because that's what all my friends
call me-" She hesitated a moment
MY name is Doris Gertrude Hunt.
ley"
"oh" Shrlmp's face cleared sand
are you the girl who sent me the
candyr
"Yes. 1t was Bllrs idea; he want
ed to tease you"
"Well, the old codgerw shrimp wa.
silent for a moment, evidently debat
Ing the wisdom of his next move. hi
finally he decided to plunge. 81 ough
to pay you hack for that candy" h,
suggested.
Eyes, you ought"
Don't you think it would be goot
idea for me to give you a box in re
turnT
"FHnel"
IF I sent It." Shrimp continued
at might get lost"
Maybe you'd better bring it person
ally"
Shrimp's eyes beamed.
"Next Tuesday night" he said, sTl
take it to you In White Plains" Sh,
nodded. And." he added, after
pause. I'm glad your name is Ger
trude."
Copyright. 1915. By the Mcclure Newspa
Der Syndscate.l