The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-13
The
MeddlerS
How Their Plans Came to
Naught.
By CLARISSA MACkIE

souo eosSlplHS, others playing bridge
still others. the younger element, find
Ing amusement in watching the TENN.
courts.
Beyond the lawn there was a sand,
beach that shelyed down to the wa
ter's edge.
The tide was coming in. In another
hour 1t would he Just right for batlf
ing.
The boom of surf sounded cool and
refreshing.
On the veranda Mrs, Higginson peer
ed inquisitively at the tennis players.
is that Amy Delarme. that girl IN
white bouncing around the courts?"
Betty Tendon lifted her dark eyes "a
Mrs. IliGSinson's round. heated face.
Amy is there" she admitted in a
tone of dislike. but she is not bounc-
ing around. She fits like IA moth. IS
Its all matter of opinion. nv
dear rumbled the older woman in
deep chest tones. us my daughter
Adelaide there, BettyT"
Betty scanned the lawn with amused
eyes.
NO." she said wickedly. Adelaide
Is sitting on the beach with Professor
Hicks"
Mrs. Higginson uttered a sound half.
way between groan and n sob II
ended in Il hysterical litter as she got
up and numbered toward the beach.
Poor Adelaide-and it's her last
chance" sighed Betty.
Mavls Cakes looked palned.
What made you tell on her. Bettvyo
she reproved.
TO pay her back for laughing at
Amy"
But you've got Adelaide into n
scrape. ! was hoping she would run
away with the professor He's a dear.
ana Adelaide Is so funny and solemn
ana sweet! How did she ever come
TO have such parent?"
Betty shrugged her shoulders and
stretched her arms in lazy yawn.
suppose we go and talk to Amy
she suggested. Perhaps we can helm
Adelaide and the darling old profes.
sor."
Mavis followed her friend across the
lawn. The players were leaving the
courts, and Amy, followed closely Nv
Dan Morand. met them nnder the
spreading trees.
As If coniurcd by some magician. two
o'her young men appeared to hover
around Mavis and Betty.
Listen" said Bctty. beckoning the
I'VE about her. Il want you all to help
me. It's about Adelaide"
Adelaide Higginson, the daughter OF
that awful Mrs. IIigginson." explained
Mavis.
"Oh, you mean the bony female and
the old guy with the shell trimmed spec.
taclesg asked Larry Whitford.
Larry! expostulated Mavis. AIDE.
laide looks very pretty sometimes, and
If her mother didn't nag SO | am sure
she wouldn't look SO worn. Listen TO
Betty's plan"
My plan is this" said Betty. blush.
ing under Harvey's ardent glances. II
know the professor is wild to marry
Adelaide, and she, poor girl, would like
10, only she's afraid of her mother"
Professor Hicks is probably too
Dashful to propose an elopement, but
given the opportunity | am sure he
'onld persuade Adelaide"
You see" added Mavis. IF Mrs.
1igginson parts them now they may
lever meet again. The professor is
and widowers are tickle. you
KNOW"
How Interestingly muttered Larry
n the ear of his ladylove, but Mayis
My pouted Lets talk about our.
elves. Mavis."
"Humphi" scorned Mayis.
And So" Betty was saying earnest.
so | thought we six might 70
yer TO Pendleton village and then tel.
phone over for Adelaide to come ut
nee TO the rectory. and another mes.
age TO the professor, and when they
ct there you boys might suggest to
i'm about the elopement"
''Ye gods cut in Dan Moriand. "The
nan Is my friend"
"Well?' defied the three girls.
Dan grinned.
"All right" he FASTENED to say.
He may decline. or Adelaide may"
aid Amy quietly.
They may. but they won't" retort.
q Betty wisely
Every one laughed. and Betty blush
d.
What else can they do when Mrs.
Iigginson is obdurate? She says Ade-
hide must look higher than an under.
aid schoolteacher. so If once they are
eparated Adelaide's mother will see |
hat the romance is killed dead" cried
lefty.
An undernaid sehoolteacherm re-
Gated Dan Morland thoughtfullv. q
Well. Miss HigCinson might do worse I
han marry Bob Hicks"
Then You will. all helpy' asked b
laws
They promised unreservedly. Q
The next day was Wednesday. and L