The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-03
The Ticket
IL Led to Com
pHcations
BY AGNES C. BROCAN


Thornton frowned at her sudden en-
trance into the car-not that there wa.
anything about the fresh, interested
countenance to call forth a masculin,
frown. Jane Wilder was exactly tn,
opposite kind Of girl. But Billy never
had met her and was more anxious t.
meet her than for anything else In the
world, and, though she was always ap
pearing In most unexpected places III
delightfully."- disturbing manner, still
she, the ideal. remained as far distant
as some beautiful, wonderful star
How" unused Billy to himself
''how In the world could the proper
meeting be brought about?" Some
times he was pleased to fancy a re-
sponsive interest In the girls glance OF
quickly yelled recognition In their sew.
eral encounters. "How-oh, how?"
so glad to see you, dearie," muir
INJURED an old lady, bending over his
divinity from the seat behind you
are on your way to the child welfare
meeting, of course How busy you
keep yourself with everything of an
uplifting nature! | don't see how you
do it."
The girl laughed as she turned around
Billy's heart thumped in sympathy
with the clear Joyousness Of the sound.
Never had he heard her voice or laugh
before, and In nothing was she disap.
nnfnffnO Pool. 1acc1vy hn oil h.
windows of his office, where Braydon
was waiting to see him upon an impor.
tant commission to fade into distance.
He would sit here in this seat until the
girl left the car.
"Oh. ! am not voluntarily busy she
answered the old lady, lust drawn
int the work by my friends. Meetings
are all this week. you know-evenings
for the men. We must interest voters.
Lillis is one Of the ushers, so 1t was
she who solicited my aid, the dean of
our old college being tonight's speaker"
Il would like to CO." the old lady re-
sponded. Eagerly the girl fumbled in
her purse. 80 sorry" she said a.
length. II have no more tickets. and
admission is all by ticket invitation"
She jumped to her feet. "My cor,
ner!" she cried. "Goodby, Mrs West"
1t was then that Billy heard the COW
eted name.
"Goodby, Jane Wilder" said the old
lady.
Jane Wilder" Mentally he echoed
the name. 1T was like her somehow"
TO him it sounded quaint and sweet.
He was planning as he brushed through
the crowd in the streets to obtain tick.
cts IN some manner for that evenings
welfare" meeting. 1t would be in the
auditorium, of course, and she had
said by invitation only. He remem-
bered reading an account of the affair
In the papers. Former pupils Of the
college represented by the speaker
were to act as ushers. Surely one
might speak to an usher, and surely
one might select ones particular usher
Billy began to whistle.
The low but merry tune seemed ia
annoy rather than cheer the tall Young
man who swung impatiently about I'm
Billy's pet office chair.
Great Scott" Braydon calculated in
greeting, you come In more than thir,
ty minutes late and happy as a NAV
day! | went without my own lunch in
order to get over here on time. while
you
Say" remarked Billy absently
where can fellow get tickets for to
nights child welfare meetingg"
Braydon's feet came to the floor will
a bang. whats the matter with Won
Thornton 2" he asked.
Billy waved the question impatiently
aside. Where can get them?" he in
sisted.
How the dickens do | know p, th,
man replied. Suddenly he glanced a
bllly's eager face. why this unusua
interest In strange cause?" he asked.
Deliberately Billy seated himself II
an opposite chair. There is a GIRL
ne answered seriously, whom an
very anxious to meet. She will b.
there tonight. Among that old colleg
crowd we must have mutual acQuaint
ances. II you can direct me to any on
who might possibly have a spare tickle
OF invitation I'd be obliged. That's all.
His friend considered. "Why. there
Jack Maynard" he said. His VIII
was a student at that college. T.
speak to him. Before we get down I
business. what's the name Of this cir
Billy? Might know her myself"
Thornton's eyes took on their prev
Gus reminiscent CLEAN. wilder" b
repeated softly-"Jane Wilder"
In the desperate hope of hearing fror
Jack Maynard he fingered In the o.
hce long past closing time and at las
was rewarded by the appearance of
messenger bearing an envelope marke,
with the date. Ticket to auditorium
meeting" Billy's sinking spirits scare
to their highest level. That very eyel
ing he should see her again at least.
that evening. There was not muc
time for dinner. The auditorium woul
be crowded.
For a moment as he waited In I'll
entrance Billy's eyes roved excited
among the white gowned tiers of usl
! orS, Then af length ha Sniad bar CT