The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-07

appetite. too. helping thus to nor
NAL mind She knew he was under
constant surveillance-it was joy to
know the spying saw only a man do
ing mans work.
When people came to see her she
accepted them as if sure the motive
We're pure kindness. But she made
no visits herself, neither accepted in
vitatiOns to join in church affairs, nor
he dances at the courthouse, where
.ormcrly she had been leading spirit.
Phil wanted her to gO--he was willing
TO e.Idure martyrdOm for her sake.
.,ut she smiled and shook her head
tho meant never to go out among their
own people until their own people saw
and acknowledged their mistake.
Time Went swiftly; almost before
she realized it came the anniversary
of their wedding. The garden had
been a modest gold mine, but she
would not let Phil buy her anything
save fluffy Pomeranian puppy. agree
ing. however. to his proposition that
they should show themselves that
night at the courthouse.
1t was not a dance, but an enter.
tainment by so-called psychic lee.
turer He was said to have marvellous
powers Phil had sort of feeling
that the villagers would think he
dreaded to face the seer. That was
untrue--he had even wild idea Of
going forward if subjects for expert
ment We're called Second thought
showed him he had better stay be-
side Margory had been cor
dial to them, Offering fluctuations with
no apparent reserves. lie would do
ioth;Hg to bring UP the old story. in
Twenty years perhaps he could live
it down.
lie heard little OF the lecture.
which was a string OF platitudes. But
he WAS somehow aware of strange
influence something which got into
INN anu Illuut III oIltC vi
himself. He was on the point of ask
ing Margery II she also felt 1t, when
he saw Jim Franklin moving toward
the rostrum, his face family troubled.
lie spoke low but earnestly to the lee
turer, too low for the audience to
catch a word. 1t watched with bated
breath as he sat down and fell under
influence
For a minute he was silent, mo.
tionless, inert, as one In deep and
refreshing sleep. Then he stirred and
sat up. opening eyes that did not see.
The lecturer spoke to him.
what did you do that night?" he
asked.
Franklin stood up. not uncertainty.
but like man with a purpose. He
had taken OF his coat-it hung
neatly folded on the back Of q chair.
lie picked 1t up, took knife from
his pocket and ripped short length
Of the stitches that held down the
collar. Through the rip he thrust his
fingers and drew out creased and
crumpled paper, narrowly folded,
spread 1t out. folded It again. tucked
1t back In place and said as he re.
placed the coat:
Darn thousand dollar bills; this
one goes In bank tomorrow"
Phil darted toward the stage. his
face white and working. flushed cheer
ing followed him: the hypnotist held
up a warning hand. He was making
swift passes over Jim. AS Jim opened
his eyes they rested on Phil and Mar
gery-in their faces he read some
thing mOmentOus. He sprang up, hold
ing out both hands and saying husk-
lily:
Il know you didn't do it, Phil.
though don't know how | know"
But We do" the hypnOtist said
kindly.
Then for the first and only time
Phil fell forward in dead faint.
ITO think I sewed down that ripped
collar without ever dreaming 1t meant
anything" Jim's mother explained
when she came to understand.
The mystery was plain enough.
Jim, worried In sleep over the big bill.
had hidden 1t with the cunning of
sonnambulism. and forgotten all about
the hiding. Il might never have been
found except by a rag picker but for
the hypnotic experiment. BE sure.
though. Jim meant what he said
namely. that getting back the money
was nothing compared to getting back
Phil, his closest friend.