The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-26
fGooD LUCK IN DISGUISE
BY cATHARiNE cRANMER.

+%++++44+ss+ss.++Es+.EFss.s
The military ball at the governors
mansion was at it's height. AS a waltz
ended John Warren and Anne Madi-
son went from the ballroom down to
the library in response to Johns plea
for a few moments alone with his
partner.
Anne, you wouldn't have refused to
give me a second dance unless there
was something wrong" began John.
Tell me how I've offended and let me
expiate my shortcomings, won't your
I'm going to be perfectly frank,
john" and Anne's brown eyes looked
straight into Johns gray eyes. ITS
that silly old dog law you introduced
into the legislature
Why, dear-Anne, you mean you've
turned against me just for that?'
Johns pleading question was almost
gasp.
Not I, John. but daddy has. Oh,
you should hear him rave about it. If
it wasn't $3.50 unpleasant to hear
him, it would be really funny
What does he say?"
oh, something like this for a start
er: John Warren ought to have his
block knocked off for introducing that
fool dog law into the legislature. It's
an outrage. Here am |, a gentleman
who keeps his hounds and settlers and
pointers in kennels and under control.
yet he would make me pay a ridicu-
lous fee for the privilege merely be-
cause some shiftless farmer in some
corner of his county keeps hungry
mongrel that breaks into somebody's
flock of sheep
But today, when he found that the
dog law was coming up for final con-
sideration tomorrow" continued Anne
"he said If John Warren let's that
bill come to its third reading he
needn't show his face here again, and
l want you to understand, Anne, that
I'd rather you'd be less friendly with
him than you have been of late You
see, it's love me, love my dogs with
daddy, but he makes so few requests
of me, John, that l can't hurt him by
seeming to disregard his wishes. |
think we'd better go back to the ball
room now"
John reluctantly acquiesced, and they
returned to the ballroom with heavy
hearts, for that very day the law had
been laid down to him by three of his
most influential constituents who were
owners Of large sheep ranches and
had suffered great losses from ravag-
ing dogs, and his only path to con-
gress lay by way of the approval of
these constituents and the votes they
could command.
He returned to the library to try to
think of some way out.
He thought of Anne dancing around
this minute with some other man. and
he felt that chance to win her was
worth any sacrifice.
When the next mornings session
opened, things went on with smooth
ness that provoked John Warren. His
ranchmen constituents were in the
visitors gallery, and Annes father
was also there. John set himself to
accept the inevitable and went care
fully over the notes for his speech
which was to close the arguments on
House Bill ST. Just as the speaker
was ready to call Third reading of
bills a young man presented an Off.
| cial-looking paper to the doorkeeper,
who arose at once and announced: "a
message from his excellency, the gov.
ernor."
The message was read: '"In the hope
Of averting what might become a Sc
rious menace to the public health, l.
Jason Brooks Lancaster, governor OF
this state. do hereby urge speedy re-
cess of the legislature for the full
] three days period permitted by law
prevent the spread of the disease OF
| smallpox, of which five well-developed
cases have been officially reported this
day among the clerical force Of the
Legislature"
| Great confusion followed the read
ing Of the message, and there was nc
disposition on anybody's part to delay
motion to adjourn. John Warren
was informed by clerk that his pri
vate secretary was one Of the five
sent to quarantine that morning. No
body knew how the disease had been
contracted by any of it's victims. Hen
ry Madison lost no time in getting out
Of town with his daughter, fearing q
quarantine would be declared. Three
days later, at their country home, he
startled Anne out Of deep reverie as
he came into the library with the
morning paper in his hand.
by George. Anne" he began, "tust
listen to this: Senator Alonzo Perkins
of the Ninth district and Representa-
tive John Warren Of Clairmore county
are the two latest victims Of smallpox
which broke out last week among EN-
ployees Of the legislature Despite the
important legislation in which these
members are actively interested, they
will have to observe the closing weeks
OF the present session from quaran
tine, three miles outside the city linn
it's"
Without looking at Anne's white
face. her father chuckled and added
well, guess that settles the dog Law
for while, anyhow
Daddy" exclaimed Anne with sucf
severity that her father looked at hel
astonished. How can you think o.
dogs when the dearest man on eartl
is-oh, he may be dying right now.
An understanding smile slowly over