The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-18

Will protect you. Have no fear. Alice
there's mouse in this room!"
His sister-in-law flung him one hor-
ror-stricken look, stood immovable for
a paralyzed second, then clutched her
skirts, ran frantically across the ROOM
and jumped upon the end of a spi-
derry, yellow brocade seat.
Where is it?" she walled. trying
pathetically to balance herself 20,
Harry, l an't-stand-micel"
1T isn't mice, Alice it's mouse"
returned Harry solemnly. You'd bet
ter come down. or you'll break that
yellow gimcrack. Well. never mind If
you do break it. But listen. There's
a mouse in this room-There, See
him?" :.
There was a half-suppressed, shud
dering shrek, and Mrs. Field broke
out with sudden indignation. Why
don't you catch him? He can't hurt
you! The idea of a great man--a
Varsity setback-or-or-w whatever
you are, afraid of mouse!"
Just So" returned Harry amiably.
but ! don't care to get bitten. or
anything. Blood poisoning, you know.
Now, I'll tell you. I'll come over and
personally conduct you to the door,
and you so up to the top floor and
borrow the cat See?"
Mrs Field could not see so very
well for the webbing of the seat,
and 1t might have been for. the rea-
son that her brother-in-law could not
hear distinctly what she said, at
first
Very we'll" came icy tones at
length, with sufficient distinctness. AMI
all the dignity possible under the cir
cumstances. Very well, Harrison
Field. very WELL
| The journey across the room safely
accomplished Harry listened breath
lessly until he heard two pairs of feet
on :he stair. then he smiled the smile
, of triumph, He opened the door a
crack lie saw a yellow ball encircled
, by a slim arm, and his smile grew
bland
Il shall not come ill.," declared Mrs,
Field sharply MISC, yes,-Dun-
, can-excuse me. will let the cat go
in and get it. o, | beg pardon. Miss
> Duncan, my brother-in-law, Mr.. Field.
, couldn't bear to see it dangling, or
! hear its bones brunch"
, Il think, Mr. Field" observed Miss
Duncan. in a voice of grave dignity,
Daffy had better go out when he
catches II"
=, Leave eyei ytning to me, returned
f, Mr.. Field magnanimously. You la
a dies seek a place of safety, and have
|, no fear. Everything shall be done
:, decently and in order"
= With the prompt closing of the door
Mrs Field drew long, tremulous
breath and clutched at the wall.
!. 1T is nothing. my dear Mrs. Field.
: encouraged Miss Duncan, taking one
cold hand in her warm clasp. 1T will
7 soon be over What did you say
Grace"
: "Brirg Mrs Field up" came sym
= pathetic voice from above. You vii
o both get cold down there"
II was solemn and exceedingl,
- correct young man who later conduct
- ed Mrs. Thomas Field back to her owl
apartment.
Regarding fats" he vouchsafed
with somber affability, there is mucl
Is to be said on both sides"
a. There was no response, and youn,
III Mr. Field reflected sadly that the dig
nified small PERSON at his side mus
le be decidedly annoyed when the allur
al ing subject of flats" provoked no re
n, joinder. Still, she might be thinking
lie that the public staircase, at 1873
10 o'clock at night, was not precisely tn
Sc ideal place for conversation. Alic
TO was nothing, II not proper.
III However, he was not long in doub
y concerning the state of her mind
When she reached her own door, sh
d shuddered. Upon the threshold, sh
re cast rapid and fearful glances int
ut corners and under chairs.
by It's gone" cheerfully assured he
ed protector quite gone. And really,
ne think 1t was frightfully mea nmous
to kick up such a rumpus with Tol
at away Sort of recalls the old adag'
ng though, doesn't it?'
III Then did Mrs. Fields indignatio
ell overleap its bounds. She shut tn
as door with decision, and walked firm
up ly into her parlor. A little too firm
ly, thought her observant brother-iI
II! law. She strobe firmly to a positio
We under the chandelier, and faced hin
Mt Harrison Field" she began sterl
ly. why didn't you tell me you wei
!, interested in one of those cat girls
es, If you had, | would have called-.C
he Toms sake. But, no, instead of b
m, ing man enough to own up, you com
a around wondering if | have calle
IN and If it isn't 1at.dwelers duty
call and don't know what all. IN
nd then, because | can't see through yot
nd hypocrisies, you take advantage
Eli. Toms being away Toto"
lily 20, say, Alice, come off, won't you
ly. exclaimed Harry. Not as bad
If that"
Mt. You take advantage of Toms a
RS. sence," repeated Mrs. Field, control
ing herself with violent effort, %
an bring out mouse. You did bring
nj out | know you did. We never ha
lit mouse in this house before
air was contemplate. mderhanded-
it, Alice besought Harry, genuir
he distress in his voice now, don't /
his too hard on a fellow TIl-rll bu
lis you that turquoise ring you we're tel
ng ing Tom about the other Sunday"
ed You had better save your none
for somebody else's ring retorted b