The Lakeland evening telegram., 1920-10-22
,THE STRANGE GIRLS
BY MILDRED WHITE.
seSeSeSeSeSeseseSe

the Veranda OF Claremont house as the
strange girl" approached
1.-THE Strange Girl is the name they
gave the little creature, gossiping
among themselves concerning the af-
fairs OF folks who patronizeL this |
exclusive Woodside inn. Nan hum
ming softly, and unmoved If aware of |
their hostility, changed her intention
of passing among them and made her
way In her checked gingham frock to
a rear door. She carried hamper in
her arms and waved aside friendly
attendant who would have relieved her
of the burden. Mrs. Van vourt leaned
excitedly toward her neighbor,
at Is t6s 5pinioh,m she said, "that
the girl Is working out her board
here-a rural relative or something OF
the sort of Manager Hastings, else why
should she be allowed to eat at the
guest tables In the great dining room?
Il will tell you something" she said.
"This morning as ] went out early to
the garage with my husband--we We're
going awSy In his car--there, back In
the barnyard, was your strange girl In
her short gingham dress, feeding the
chickens"
Really Mrs. Van vourt exclaimed.
Chickens! I" laughed Madame Rensaler.
u must r. md tell Homer" Miss Van
| vourt said gleefully, and was off. A
tall man, who had been silently smok-
Ing cigar around the bend OF the We
randa, arose wrathfully. How they
picked her to pieces, the gentle, shy
creature who slipped in and out
through all their display so unobtru-
sively.
"Tends to her own darned little busi-
ness. If 1t Is feeding chickens" he NUT
tered, and strobe hastily past the rock
ing chairs and across the lawn.
"Such an interesting personality. ).
Mrs. Van vourt whispered as h'
passed; "decidedly western, Of course
but picturesque.
"It's his money. my dear, that Is Pc
turesque, Madame KenS;ner dryiy re
marked. "rhey "a! this jim bfeh
has made his millions.
The westerner reached the barn
ward as the strange girl, Nan, wa
bending over two white hens hungrll
engaged in disposing of their dinner
She had loosened the tight-pnne
braids from her head, and they fell r.
belliously waving, red gold, to ne
waist. Startled, her soft eyes glance
up at him. :,
"Say," Jim Brent said awkwardi'
"let me do that for you while you g
in and yet on that white dress for oil
ner. The bells going to ring In NIL
ute"
The girl smiled.
"Why, that's nice of you,' she sal
..hut I can't trust Biddies feeding,
Jerry's. to another person. You see"
I she caressed the white fowls-"th'
I are about all have to love. ! broug
] them with me-"
! Brought them!" gasped Jim; 'fro
! your home farm?
Z Nan arose, Strengthening hef gu
1 ham skirts.
I 81 haven't any home or folks" s
z said wistfully.
7 He waited later until the stran
I girl was properly seated at her @
/ nloce In the great dining ROOM In
! lin Brent crossed the floor and paus
8 with how Of Difference before her.
"I wonder" he asked, "if you'd
- mo sit here with you. am lonely
=, I reckon YOU are. They"-he motion
toward the fashionable assemp
throng-"they don't fit' some W
Hastings will tell you that ain
right
"And | wish" Jim Brent was say
70 Nan the following morning, I
you'd let me carry your hamper
Won to-wherever you are 90
Wherever you go every day you " "
,on hard You looked white and q
Yesterday wsen you returned
. vonr gingham dress was all =
.Nan-little girl"--big Jim gulped
- wish you'd stop 1t all and come q
Nth mo | love you, Nan"
The strange girl lifted respoi'
white hen into the hamper. linen
closed It's straw lld.
aim" she said quietly, you
carry the hamper today, II you
and come with me. - :,
RecklesSly She unoinned the pl
,raids from about her head a"'
,bem fall to her waist. as together
- $40 crossed the ,'laremont lawn
mia won eyer," cried Mrs
. yonrt Actually going mark
-. w,th her" Madame Rensaler sa,d
81 am taking you" Nan toid
westerner as they walked u
moving picture camp just over W
.,doa We are doing a dear farn
tnre there, jim. am 'Mollie OF
] Vol va,,ov and an old white hen is I
.ho only friend have-that is' at
II w , I,ossom out wonderfully towar
end Of the play. The bill6Oard' ,9' !
e that here am Nanette Wills a