The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-09
4 DOUBLE Event

smiling. Besides, you know, Jim,
am never going to get married any
way until you do, because there will
be nobody to look after you then"
Jim smiled. I've been looking after
myself good deal since ! came to
New York" he answered.
But anyway, I'm going to stay with
you long enough to put your household
affairs in order and-and sew on all
your buttons replied the girl
Since Jim left the little town to take
up position In the big city Rita had
worried constantly about him, and at
last she had left her mother and gone
to spend couple of weeks with Jim.
He was taking her for round of gay
ETY.. As they entered the big roof
garden hotel Jim looked fondly at his
sister. How pretty she was. and how
fortunate the man would be who got
her! He hoped it would be someone
worthy Of her
i am always 80 sorry for boys like
you who are lonely in a great CITY,"
said Rita, slipping her hand into his.
Jim WINGED inwardly. He was think
ing OF q certain poker party Of a few
nights before. Of which Rita would
never have approved, and wondering
II she suspected that he had q good
many friends
In the elevator a rlorn-looking
young man was standing. He, too,
was going up to the roof-garden, and
he was going up alone. Rita's heart
smote her.
He looks as lonely as imagine you
must be sometimes she whispered to
Jim as the elevator stopped Let's
ask him to join u.s.
Jim looked at the young man. He
was certainly presentable young fel.
low, gentleman, and a stranger to
the city, as Jim imagined. They hap
pened to approach an. empty table to-
gether. Jim made some casual re.
mark
Plenty of room here" he said.
The young fellow sat down, and
soon the three were engaged in con-
versation. Jim was not sorry for the
respite from tete-a-tete with his sis.
ter. He was dreading the time when
he would have to tell her a very
natural thing from which, neverthe-
less, he shrank-that he was as good
as engaged to a very charming girl,
Miss Ida Campbell.
BY the way, Jim," said Rita, do
you remember Ida Campbell? Well,
l have got her address, and l was
thinking Of looking her up. 1t is
somewhere in Sixty-seventh street"
The young man started. why,
then she must be my cousin he said
Il am John Campbell My uncle and
aunt come from Bennington"
"Why-I have heard of you!" STAN.
mered Rita. How odd! Ida always
used to speak of her city cousin, and
hoped that some day we should meet.
But you have lived in the city all your
life"
Pretty nearly" said John, smiling.
But thought YOU were so lonely,
and told my brother to speak to YOU"
We'll. l am" said the young man,
laughing. AT least, I was"
The ice was fairly broken, and soon
they were all chatting like old friends,
in the intervals of the performance.
Rita found the young man delightful,
and Jim-well, Jim was pleased, be-
cause somehow it seemed to ease his
own guilty conscience. But in the
midst Of the mirth a thin wisp of
smoke was seen to curl out of the
side of the stage. "A moment later a
thick, black cloud drifted toward the
audience.
Fire." shouted somebody.
The stage manager appeared and
held up his hand. There is no dan.
ger!" he said quietly. Please leave
your seats in an, orderly manner and
go toward the elevators"
The panic was checked, but as the
three drew near the entrance those
who were in front came running back,
shrieking. The cause Of the new alarm
was manifest. A roaring sheet of
flame shot up each elevator. The top
door of the hotel below was blazing.
Caught In the terror-stricken crowd,
Rita looked at Jim in dread. She was
being crushed by the seething throng
that surged back from the elevators
toward the parapet But the next
moment she felt herself lifted In a
pair OF strong arms and carried
through the mob.
There is no danger," she heard
John Campbell whisper in her ear.
a minnfo Iafnr he hal
in a niche in the parapet. while he
himself and Jim stood guard in front
OF her. Around them surged the wild.
uncomfortable crowd of pleasure-mak.
ers. but she rested securely.
Il don't know how we can thank YOU
enough said Jim to John Campbell.
1 hope this is the beginning Of a
friendship that will last"
Il hope So" answered John.
Somehow they seemed waiting for
her to speak. But as she did not. Jim
blurted out:
Il don't know whether our friend
knows it, Rita. but ought to tell YOU
that Miss Ida Campbell and +"
Il know it very WE'LL" said John.
smiling.
JIM" exclaimed Rita. You don't
mean that
will you be very angry with me.
Rita?" asked Jim.
Why. it's wonderful" cried Rita.
catching at her breath. Jim, you dear
old boy, | am so glad. II is Just like
a romance"
i was afraid" stammered Jim. Il
mean Alter our alu-a,-c hn-i- -.