Hyder weekly herald., 1934-05-12
Florence's Triumph
By IDA MELLON
Q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
 wNU Service

FLORENCE had expected to have | wonderful time when she went to l visit her aunt and cousins in New York. But somehow when she ar rived things were not just what she had expected them to be. Her cousins. Dolly and Joan. had changed. for one thing. They seemed to be so anxious all the time about | their various social engagements. They were anxious. too, about Florence. "You mustn't be too nice to Dick | Thomas" they told her. the night after Dick had entertained them all at din ner and the theater. Hes nice enough, of course, but he hasn't any money, and it's useless to have man like that hanging around all the time; l 1t keeps other men away" "But-he must have spent good 1 deal" ventured their cousin from the l country.
 Probably you're. right, Florence" l Joan answered. But 1t must have taken nearly every cent he earned last week to do 1t. Let's see-we1l have | to have him here for dinner some time | soon, to pay him back for last night: ! let's ask him the night Peggy Frances comes, and get rid of both of them at once!"
 Florence didn't like that way of do- ing things.
 At her home in sleepy little south arn town you were friendly with peo- l pie whether they had money or not. Florence knew without being told that her cousins wanted to get mar, meant marrying man who had money.
 To Florence 1t seemed hideous, but Joan and Dolly and their mother seemed to think 1t was the only thing fOr,a girl to do.
 "You just have to have money" | Joan told her once. "Without It life's l just impossible"
 One of the young men to whom Dol l iy was especially nice discovered that Florence was the daughter of the fa- nous Samuel Darwin, and devoted l himself to her after that. Her aunt told Florence that she ought to be de- lighted. that the young man was a great catch. Florence said nothing. l He gave a dinner for Florence . month after she arrived in New York, at very smart new restaurant. It happened to be an evening when she was feeling especially homesick, when it seemed that she must pack her trunk in the morning and go straight back home. She was trying hard to pretend to enjoy herself. when. glancing up, she saw the face of the young man who was picking up the soiled dishes.
 "Why-why-" she turned in her chair, but he had gone off to the kit chen, and the next course was being served. Florence was very quiet until It was over, and the young man appeared again. Then. as he removed her plate, she laid her hand on his arm. You're Billy James. aren't you?" she said, In her soft. southern drawl.
 "Yes-l am." he said. and his voice had that same soft drawl in it. Florence exclaimed her aunt, | ITCm dCEOSS tHS ldDie. udL tic bus boy!" *... 1 "I don't care," Florence answered defantly. T used to know him down home-and-"
 He had come back for more dishes. reluctantly. She motioned him to her side.
 Billy. what are you doing here!
 Won't you come to see mel" she asked. "rd really like to see you. Please?"
 "Why. Florence. IT."
 Florence her aunt exclaimed again. and the young man disappeared once more. He didn't come back again.
 T haven't seen him for ages; he ran
 away from home." she said. "And
 now maybe I won't see him again
 Oh"
 And suddenly the other diners in the smart restaurant were amazed to see pretty young girl in a white and