The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-19

Do loniSut she was CHOKING down crack
ers and egg, although she was dying
for cup of tea and roast lamb with
mint sauce.
Il hate the old theaterv she MUIR
INJURED once. for never had she had
any encouragement from the score of
managers and agents she had inter-
viewed.
She put on her hat and coat and went
Out to mail letter to her mother
Little mother mustn't worry about
me-" she thought.
Halfway down the first fight of
stairs her heel caught in hole in the
carpet. and she fell-fell straight into
the arms Of big young man who was
coming upstairs carrying a plate. On
the plate was large, juicy lamb chop
and fresh roll
The chop and the roll jumped from
the plate and landed on Linnie's muff.
She sat down violently on the stairs.
while the young man staggered to re-
gain his balance. succeeded and stared
helplessly down at her.
For Linnie had seized the chop and
was eating it with little purring sounds
of satisfaction while she tightly held
the roll in her other hand.
"Gracious!" he gasped. What are
you doing that for?"
I'm hungry" retorted Linnie def
antly. 81 know you think I am per.
fectly dreadful. but-but it's awful to
be hungry
"Jove! What are you doing in this
house-and hungry" he demanded
Linnie explained. Her courage had
all oozed out when she had grasped
the lamb chop. Her face was suffused
with burning bushes.
She did not look at the face of the
young man. She could not have told
you whether he was dark or fair. She
only knew that his voice had a ia.
miliar ring as he explained that he was
merely taking the chop and roll up to
his pet dog.
What will you do?" asked Linnie,
with downcast eyes.
"Oh, get another chop" he said cheer
fully. Meanwhile take my advice and
don't stay in this town any longer.
Take your $3.50 and 60 home with it.
Homes the best place for you"
81 said wouldn't come back until !
succeeded" protested Linnie.
He laughed infectiously.
Rubbish! 1t takes more courage
and grit to 60 home and face the folks
and admit defeat than it does to strug.
gle on and starve to death. Go home
II WILL" said Linnie, holding out her
hand. THANK you for your advice"
So they shook hands over 1t, and Lin
ME decided that she would not write
to her mother. She would appear there
herself. Would not her homecoming
be better than any letter?
The young man crossed the hall and
entered the large front room. A dogs
joyful bark welcomed him, and Linnie
heard him soothing the hungry beast.
"How horrid I've been! He must BIZ
disguised with me-" she thought as she
packed her trunk before going to bed.
The next night she was safe at home
in her mothers arms and repeating fol
the twentieth time her experiences II
, the great city.
"How could I have left such a heav
, emily place as this?" sighed Linnie Al
she looked around the comfortable
, rooms and upon her beloved family.
, Months went by, and Linnie grew
, contented at home. Never more wa
{ she lured by the attractions Of tn
, stage, and she gave herself up to tn
mysteries of housekeeping and home
: making with such ardor that the vii
| lage gossips limited that Linnie Way
land was going to be married.
! But marriage was far away from
I Linnie's thoughts. If ever she though
of possible lover there came
strange throbbing in her breast ant
). the memory of that moment on tn
! stairs Of the boarding house when sh
: had eaten the lamb chop under the as
tonished gaze of the most attractiv
: man In the world.
Z 81 wonder she would murmu
, blushingly, and then dream Of a gian
youth with a mellow voice and kindl
eyes.
, 1t was one February day that Liz
3 MES dreams came true in the most ur
: expected manner.
' "I'm going for a walk, mother" sh
announced. putting her head into tn
{ sitting room.
0 Every well. dear. If you're passin
p Polly Smiths just take her glass o
currant jelly. She has been quit
8 sick
Linnie walked across the hard crus
!. of snow, pausing now and then to slid
j over the shining surface. Polly Smith
: house was at the end Of the villag
q street
g Come in!' sounded Polly's cracke
q voice. and Linnie entered.
1.-THE doctors here. but you can com
right in" called Polly from the sittin
3 room. and in went Linnie.
r The doctor arose and turned around.
> "Gracious." he calculated, and bel
o out his hand. Il wondered where L
meet you again.
n But Linnie's lips were mute as be