The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-16
How Theu Became
Acquainted
Bv DONALD CHAMBERLlN


he was looking for he took the receiver
of the hook and gave the number 10
the girl in the central Office. 1t was
not long before a feminine voice re-
piled:
"well?" was the reply in a melodious
voice.
II would likeNfo speak With Frank
Il am Frank"
There was a brief pause, AT the END
Of which Ralph said:
y mean Frank Emerson
a" am Franz Emerson
Another pause.
III you are Frank Emerson he must
have been metamorphosed into a wo-
mana woman with a sweet voice.
There was bit Of laugh.
"well. Frank" continued Ralph, Il
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 Emer-
son. l am named for him, but am
Frances, not Francis"
II see.'
II think mat you will find your
brothers name just below papas."
II don't doubt It,"
"Well, can l do anything more for
your"
"You can, out I fear you won't"
what is IT."
II wonder If you know any one I
know"
1T is possible"
do you know the Meriwethers?"
"No; 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 If she knew the Busbys.
"Dr. Charles Busbys familyr
Eyes"
Helen Busby is an intimate friend
Of mine"
Good. l know her very well. Now
I shall say goodby to you for the pres
emit l am sorry to have troubled you.
Will you be at home this afternoon
between 2 and AZ"
Il expect to be at home all the after
noon"
"Goodby."
"Goodby. I dare say you win find
your brothers number"
quite likely"
Half an hour later Miss Emerson re-
ceived a telephone call, this time from
a woman.
rs that you, FrankY"
Eyes"
I'm Helen Busby. A friend Of mine,
Ralph Emerson. desires to know you.
1 have arranged to bring him around
to call upon YOU this afternoon"
"Ha, ha! Isn't that funny
"why2"
Never mind now, your friend will
tell you
Your friend%
Il tried to beg Off till tomorrow. but
he insisted on today"
There was no reply to this. and after
Few more commonplace remarks the
receivers were hung up.
AT O'Clock the same afternoon Mr.
Emerson and Miss Busby rang the
door bell at Miss Emerson's Thev
were admitted. and Ralph looked unon
the face and figure of the girl whom
he had fallen in love with through her
voice. He was not disappointed in her
Indeed, the face and figure were as Of.
tractive as the voice.
After a brief interchange Of c,r,
tues Ralph said that he had exchanged
the two seats he had held at the tbes.
Ter for three seats, and he invited both
girls to use them with him.
he had paved the way so web rho,
Notwithstanding the briefness Of Mice
Emerson's acquaintance with him there
was not the slightest reason WHY sbe
should not accept the invitation
AT o'clock the same evening Ra,nh
Emerson and Helen Busby drove mn 80
Miss Emerson's, and they all proceeded
10 the theater. After the theater CAM
a supper, and by this time Mr. Fmor.
son felt as we'll acquainted with MIC
emerson as he was with their mntro,
friend.
The next day Miss Emerson wos
called up again by her new found "a
mlrer Just to listen for a few mo
ments to that melodious voice OF vonrs /.
ne told her. Naturally she was n,aasoa
at the repetition Of the compliment
ana before the telephone interview,
was finished she had made another ON
gagement with Mr.. Emerson Tban
came boxes Of flowers and other IVA,
cations of lovers intentions and aftn.
very brief season a wedding
i should have shut Won or, -,
Mrs. Emerson in speaking Of tbe,r Sala
meeting. "as soon as l discoverad tha.
you had called the wrong number
Just So replied her husband au
didn't you?" why
why didn't you do it yourse,,y
suppose had. Where por,a
oeen our present happiness? tb,rh