The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-07-17
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
|UNWELCOME GUEST
BY JACK LAYTON.

1
when he entered the little fiat one day
and gave to Beatrice letter, Billie's
manner was constrained.
'Tts from aunt" he explained terse-
Iy, wants to come and visit US
Mot" Beatrice said, "your Aunt
Drusina, Billy?"
Being that Aunt Drusilla is the
only aunt | possess, 1t is naturally
herself" His tone was pettish.
Beatrice's soft eyes filled with tears.
But Billy" she protested, 1--WE just
can't have her. We've been so bliss
full alone. Your father has always
held up this sister of his as para
gon housekeeper. You know how very
particular your mother says she was
about-everything. She's unmarried,
of course, and will criticize me, and
my lack of system, and oh! you
needn't tell me-" as Billy ventured a
remenstrance-" know that exem-
plary kind Of woman. She will be the
snake in our Eden"
Beatrice caught herself up. How
long is she going to stay, Billy?"
The young husband avoided his
wife's aggrieved eyes.
"About month, she says" he re-
piled.
Beatrice stiffened defantly.
well, she won't stay a month
here" she said.
"Aunt Drusilla writes" Billy sug-
gested, that she is longing to meet
her new niece. She hasn't seen me
since was almost kid. She was
going'to be married then, remember,
but something broke it off"
"Her own exacting disposition prob
ably" Beatrice spitefully remarked.
THAT'S not quite fair Of you,' Billy
defended. His wife smiled
"You see," she said, "she's begin
ming to make trouble between US al
ready"
Trouble indeed seemed to fall to
Billy's lot. Mentally he blamed the
aunt who insisted upon thrusting her
presence where the presence of two,
was all sufficient. And upon the day
of Aunt Drusilla's arrival Beatrice
fell iii.
In vain Billy telephoned various
women helpers. The helpers were
busy. As last resort, and though
his pocketbook could iii afford it, Billy
sought nyrse's agency. No nurse
could be promised within three days
at least. And though the malady from
which Beatrice suffered was not
necessarily serious, the doctor assured
him that she must have immediate
care.
Billy himself prepared his wifes
breakfast coffee before he went to
meet the inevitable Aunt Drusilla, and
Beatrice made face over the coffee.
Its horrid," she said, ungracious-
ly, land you must insist upon taking
your aunt to a hotel. She can't stay
here now. You ,see that" The
voice ended in an invalid's wall.
Billy hurriedly beat retreat.
Billy considered his problems as he
hurried his little car toward the sta.
ton, and when he saw his waiting and
aunt. his pelplexity
grew.
Here was not quiet old body to be
lightly disposed of, but smiling and
assured person in pleasing attire, her
shrewd eyes twinkling at his from be.
meath waving hair,
My dear boy"' she cried, putting
forth her glorcd hand in greeting.
Then, after his very brief response,
III awful thing happened to Billy.
STOPPING in hurried embarrassment to
start the cars engine, the handle
xrenched itself suddenly free from
lis grasp to deal him terrible blol
Billy, white with pain, knew what
afterward proved to be true-that his
,rm was broken.
Ii was Aunt Drusilla who gently
orced him into the car, and her com
,etent self at the wheel, took him
where prompt aid could be found.
When the doctor had bandaged Billy
nto relief. Aunt Drusilla continued to
rive the car home.
White Tipped and weak. Billy man
Iged to tell his aunt of his young |
vife's Illness and of their now helm |
ess plight. Alphabetically he sug-
,ested a hotel as her own temporary
efuge.
Aant Drusilla good humoredly wavcG |
lis suggestion aside.
Il wondered" she said laugh;ngly.
shy 1t was borne forcibly upon m"
hat must spend a month with you
low know
Beatrice's first intimation of her un
guest was when a sweet
aeed woman bent sympathetically
yer her bed. proffering. as she intro.
ueed herself. an invitingly arranged
luncheon tray.
BILLY has had an injury to his arm"
he new aunt informed her, land Il
ave made him comfortable upon the
ouch
Now, sit up dear.e, and LET us Sos