The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-10

bringing together young working mer
and women IN large cities. They need
each others companionship, and be-
lieve that they are for the most part
better or married than single. In the
country, where the sexes are more
readily thrown together. such assist
ance is not necessary. but in metrop-
oils
MY dear lady," interrupted Mr.. Far
Eand, "why In heavens name don't
you organize such an association for
the union Of old bachelors and old
maids?"
You have taken a load OF my shout
ders." replied Miss Warield, brighten
ing. The object of my visit is to In
terest you In just such an association"
please enroll me as a member at
once" said Mr.. Farrand with enthu-
siasm. reaching again for his check
book. "What are the fees and dues"
There are no fees or dues. Mr..
Farrand. The members are to meet
at the homes of some one Of the WON
en- memberC-
"Homesw interrupted the banker.
do unmarried women have homesT
There. Mr.. Farrand, is where our
sex have an advantage OF yours. 1t is
possible for a woman to make home
without a husband, but l am free to
say that an old maids home is not
much more cheerful than an old bach
elor's Nature intended
"Yes, yes, Miss Warfeld. When and
where will the next meeting convene"
"The next meeting, Mr.. FarraRd,
viii be at my house. There are very
few of us women members who live
In houses fitted for such assemblies
While l am a member of the associa-
tion my object is principally to aid
others. am so absorbed in my vari
Gus works that
II understand. You, being a woman
Of means, can make a comfortable, not
to say luxurious, home for yourself
while l, being man Of fortune, am
condemned to live at a hotel. Your
interest In the rest Of us is all the
more commendable from its unselflsh.
ness"
"Then I shall expect you on next
Friday evening at my house. No. =
- avenue?"
II shall most assuredly be there"
For the present we have decided to
enroll only persons of about the same
grade Of refinement, though we hope
In time to form subsidiary assemblies
covering other grades"
Miss Warfleld arose to take her de.
parture, and Mr.. Farrand saw her to
her carriage, that was waiting at the
door. He looked longingly at the seat
beside her. so longingly that she asked
II he would not permit her to drive
him to his hotel. He accepted the in
vitation. and as they were driven
away he admitted to the lady that he
had no private conveyance. Having
no one to ride with him, he could
not enjoy riding, and, as for going to
and coming from his office. he needed
the exercise of walking. Miss WarHeld
declared that she used her carriage
only In her daily work for the benefit
Of the needful. but If Mr.. Farrand
would permit her to call for him &C.
casionally at the bank she would be
happy to take him for a spin in the
park or In the country. To this he
chcerfully assented.
When Mr.. Farrand alighted at his no
| N IN H. IA
notice Its loneliness. He was filed
with new hope. The CHEEKY smile OF
Miss Warfield looked at him from the
bare walls and he was picturing, not
a room, but whole house, tastefully
| furnished, maids In black and white
uniforms moving hither and thither.
an odor Of flowers issuing from a con-
servatory, cheerful fire burning In
the library and, better than all. that
trim little woman sitting at the other
end Of the dinner table. commencing
to him this or that Wand which she
had especially provided for him.
When the evening for the assembly
came around Mr.. Farrand was indis-
posed and unable to attend. He sent
a carload of flowers with which to
decorate the rooms and few evenings
later called on Miss Warfield to ex-
press his regret that he had been pre-
vented from being present The lady
regretfully told him that her plan had
not been oversuccessful The women
had shrunk from meeting the men with
the avowed purpose Of matrimony, and
most Of the men had admitted that un.
less they could marry women much
younger than themselves they did not
care to marry at all.
"My dear Miss warfield," said Mr..
Farrand feelingly. 81 deeply sympa.
thize with you in the failure Of your
plan. which Is an excellent one. II
these persons have not the common
practical sense to take advantage OF
1t they alone are to blame. As for
myself, having Joined the association
am not minded to resign from It. II
you and I are its only members. be
1t So"