The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-12
AHole in
the Wall

!
came shambling up the pebbled path
leading to the veranda of Orrin Can
mons country home. With half grow
at the owner, the animal entered the
open door and vanished down the cor
ridOr.
Cannon was new resident of Dew
berry, the little village that he had
motored through the year before, and
that had so inspired him by its quiet
and its greenness. This old manse,
with the well-kept lawn and neat paths
and rare shrubbery, had appealed to
him. and chance remark to the one
general merchant OF the community
where he had STOPPED to buy gasoline,
had elected the information that the
place was for sale. An impulsive word
to his lawyer upon reaching Boston,
and the estate was his.
Cannon possessed fine greyhound
After the curious dog had entered the
house there came out to the nature
lover the sounds of strenuous battle.
Keno objects to company" laughed
Cannon, as he hurriedly entered the
house.
The aged shepherd dog was out
classed. He was pretty we'll torn by
the furnishing jaws of the 1.-THE Keno
before Cannon could part them.
Strange to say, the old dog showed
no disposition to leave, even after this
chastisement. Calling a servant. Can.
non turned over to him the bruised and
mangled canine with instructions to
mend him as we'll as possible before
allowing him to 60 his way.
That afternoon the Bostonian re.
ceived his first visitor-a minister Of a
sect of worship strong in New Eng
land.
Il am the pastor OF the local flock, -
prefaced Rev. John Dobbs, land l came
to ask if we are to include you in our
congregation"
Before Cannon could answer, there
came to him again the war-like canine
voices, and rushing into the hall he
dragged the resentful greyhound from
the persistent collie.
Il perceive" came from Rev. John
Dobbs, when the two were again in the
parlor. Il perceive, sir, that you are
of kindly disposition. Miss Helen
vii thank you for your treatment of
her dog. He is old. He forgets that
this place is no longer his home"
"Ah, then he used to belong here?
That accounts for his PERSISTENCE"
Yes, he is owned by Miss Helen.
When her uncle died, and by some
lAischance failed to leave a will max.
ing her his heiress, his scape.grace
son came into the property, and 1t
was promptly offered for sale. We are
all positive that Judge Gray wished
Helen to have. at his demise, all Of his
earthly possessions, but"
The visit of the minister was fol-
lowed within the hour by the arrival
OF very pretty and evidently very
much worried young woman.
"You!' she cried when Orrin Cannon
answered the ring at his door.
Cannon's own dark eyes beamed
recognition.
"You!" he echoed. Helen barrow,
OF all people! l cant imagine you as a
resident Of this town"
Nevertheless, am" laughed the
girl. THE miracle, to my mind, is
that you are the Cannon who has
bought my uncle's home A wistful
look came into her great blue black
eyes. Il don't know of any one
would rather see here" she finished.
1t was a warm June day Cannon
had drawn a porch chair forward for
the girl.
"You should have married me,
Helen" said the man. You know
loved you, and-sometimes- half be.
lieved you loved me-in spite Of the
fact that you sent me away"
Bark, g-r-o-w-l, bark" came from
the hall, and with an impatient ex.
PLANTATION Cannon sprang to his feet
and dashed into the hall.
The dogs were fighting again.
While the two previous battles were
beyond doubt won by the greyhound
this melee was in favor Of the collie,
who had throat hold on his enemy.
Hither and yon threshed the com.
batants, nor could Cannon get to them
until after they had smashed into a
heavy umbrella holder and sent It
crashing to the floor.
Then a strange thing happened.
As the huge affair struck the side Of
the tiled wall three feet Of this swung
silently inward on concealed hinge to
reveal heavy safe.
"Oh!"
The girl, who had followed Cannon
into the hall, gasped at the revelation.
"The hidden safe that uncle told me
Of, and that l could never find!" :
The door Of the safe was ajar. II
but one article-an impor.
tant looking paper.
"A will" came breathlessly from
the girl, after she had read this, and it
leaves everything to met"
which" ruefully commented the