The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-19
Bv DONALD CHAMBERLIN

There was a bit Of laugh.
well, Frank" continued Ralph, 81
have called you up to say that | have
two tickets to the theater for this
evening. Can you use one of them?"
There was quite long pause after
this, at the end Of which Frank said:
Il think you must have got hold Of
the wrong number. My father is down
in the telephone book as Francis Elmer
son. am named for him, but l am
Frances. not Francis"
II see"
II think rnat you will find your
brothers name just below papa's."
II don't doubt It,"
well, can l do anything more for
your"
"You can, out fear you won't"
What is it?'
II wonder II you know any one I
know"
1T is possible"
"Do you know the Meriwethers?
mo; l don't know any one by that
name"
How about the Ostranders?"
II don't know them either"
Ralph tried several others and finally
asked IL she knew the Busbys.
"Dr. Charles Busby's family?"
"Yes."
Helen Busby is an intimate friend
of mine"
Good. l know her very well. Now
shall say goodby to you for the pres
ent. l am sorry to have troubled you.
VIII you be at home this afternoon
between . and AZ"
II expect to be at home all the after
noon."
"Goodby'
"Goodby. dare say you will find
your brothers number"
quite likely"
Half an hour later Miss Emerson re-
ceived telephone call, this time from
a woman.
rs that you, Frank?"
YES"
I'm Helen Busby. A friend of mine
Ralph Emerson, desires to know Won.
l have arranged to bring him around
to call upon You this afternoon"
"Ha, In Isn't that funny?"
"Why?"
Never mind now, your friend will,
tell you"
Your friendY
Il tried to beg Off till tomorrow, but
he insisted on today"
There was no reply to this. and aftar
rev more commonplace remarks tha
receivers were hung up.
AT 3 O'Clock the same afternoon Mr.
emerson and Miss Busby rang the
door bell at Miss Emerson's. They
We're admitted, and Ralph looked unon
the face and figure of the girl whom
he had fallen in love with through ber
voice. He was not disappointed In her
indeed, the face and figure were ms at.
tractive as the voice.
After brief interchange Of c;v;,
lues Ralph said that he had exchanged
the TWO seats he had held at the tbea.
Ter FOR three seats, and he invited both
girls to use them with him
he had paved the way so we'll tba,
Notwithstanding the briefness NJ Nr,ss
emerson acquaintance with him there
was not the slightest reason why she
should not accept the invitation
AT O'Clock the same evening Ra,nb
emerson and Helen Busby drove nm 10
MISS Emerson's, and they all proceedea
10 the theater. After the tbeatar cow
supper, and by this time Mr.. Elmer.
son felt as well acquainted with Misc
emerson as he was with their mutual
friend. MUTUAL
The next day Miss Emerson v..
called up again by her new found "a
mirer Just to listen for faw NJ
ments to that melodious voice Of your.
ne tod her. Naturally she was n,eosn,
at the repetition Of the Compliment
anu before the telephone interview,
was finished she had made anotbo- -
gagement with Mr.. Emerson tn
came boxes Of flowers and other ind,
enS VI ioNers intentions and after
very brief season a wedding
should have shut Won orr 80,
Mrs. Emerson in speaking OF tbe,r s.N.
nee,lng' as soon as l discovered that
you nau called the wrong number
Just So replied her husband awb
didn't you;" why
..s Mny didn't you do it yourselfw
suppose l had. Where wonld h,.
oeen our present happiness? | tb,ns
managed 1t very well. didn't nrosnn.
on our brief telephone Interview .Sunle
introduction. 1 arranged eva-r.s, al
according to the most stringent ~, !. Inns
etiquette" rue OF /
However. the manner in wh,o. =.
Emerson made bis wife's aconat.. mr.
Is well known to their fr,onSa 'ance
considered quite q romantic episode saa Is