The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-01
HAPPINESS FIRST
BY ISABEL HARTwELL.


sponsibility?" Mrs. Estes put this
question to her sons chum, who was
also her attorney. First thing you
know you'll be an old bachelor instead
of just bachelor, and If any girl
takes you it will be for your money.
Tom. you're too fine man to dwindle
into a Sinking old bachelor whom all
the girls smile upon In the open ana
frown upon in private"
81 make my humble obeisance for
the compliment, my lady, and may l
ask whether you have a particular
girl picked out for mef'
mo-" shaking her head, for the
girls nowadays are as bent upon put
ting on marriage as the men are. l
know any number of nice girls who
would make good wives for men like
you IL both of you would only throw
aside those foolish notions about not
giving up your so-called freedom"
Bring 'em on In numbers, as many
as you like" laughed Tom. There's
safety In numbers, you know, but don't
set me adrift with some particular
one"
"Pm going to have seven girls at
my country house for girls party
tomorrow afternoon and evening. /
dare you to drop in Unexpectedly for
dinner"
The next evening, as Tom Wayne
steered his gray roadster into the
roadway that wound under the big
trees up to the country home of Mrs.
Estes and heard the sound Of giddy
laughter coming from the big front
veranda, he said to himself that he
was fool to have allowed himself to
be drawn into a company Of seven
frivolous girls.
Tom went up the veranda steps
smiling and bowling to each girl In
turn. Discovering that two of the
girls were strangers to him brought
little reserve into his manner, especial
ly as one of the girls-a high-headed
blonde, with creamy white skin and
hazel eyes, greeted him with their in
PRODUCTION with dignity that had In
1t hint of hauteur.
Tom rightly supposed that her lack
of cordially was partly due to dis
pleasure at having man thrust him.
self into what was to her an -Adamless
Eden.
Miss Enderby is from Boston, Tom,
and I'm sure she'll be glad to know
you're Harvard man." The astute
hostess then went into the house to
arrange some things about the dinner,
and Madge Enderby and Tom began to
speak of Boston.
snow, Madge," called out Dolly
Peters, you needn't think you're go
ing to monopolize our only man
We've held council of war and de-
cided to call him to the front to lead
an exploring party into the ravine
where the wild columbine grows"
Dolly laughed and ran ahead, to be
first in line as they reached path
leading down from the orchard into
the ravine. Madge was the last in
line, and, instead of following the
others, turned into path leading to
the left where she could see tiny
stream of clear water pouring from
spring. The voices of the others
sounded farther and farther way, and
suddenly there came a quick thunder
clap that brought surprised screams
from the girls and started them back
up the steep path.
Madge, planning to run ahead of the
others, made a quick start, but
stepped on loose stone, wrenching
her ankle so that the next step
caused severe pain. Piqued at the
failure of her plan, but determined not
to be dependent upon their one male
escort, she sat down behind tree as
the others drew near. One after an
other of the girls called her, but she
did not reply.
you girls run for the house, said
Tom, land I'll scout around down this
path" In another moment, Tom had
found Madge, discovered her injury,
and in spite of her vigorous and even
angry protests, picked her up In his
arms and started up the path In long,
quick strides.
AS they reached the orchard, scat
tering hailstones began to pelt them
like pebbles from a slingshot. Under
a big apple tree, Tom let Madge slip
to her feet, and removing his coat,
made covering for their heads while
he stood on the side to protect her
from the wind.driven hail and rain.
The shower passed as suddenly as 1t
came, and as Madge looked up into
Toms eyes, even the darkening twi-
light could not hide the surrender In
her own eyes.
"Tm so sorry to have been both
rude and troublesome" she said SIM
ply, "for it was all the result of my
determination not to let you be nice to
me-"
I'm sorry only for your sprained
ankle" said Tom. "Shall we hurry on