The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-20

claimed. well. ] like that. the MOUSE
mine and John ROdell's.'
And shall have 10 go" said Aunt
Elizabeth. and so shall H. echoed
Tabitha.
No. YOU won't" answered Frances
half the house is mine. and If my
cousin, John Rodell-whom | have
moi seen for ten years-is part owner,
| think shall need a chaperone so
that's settled" giving the Dresden
shepherdess kiss
Where is this John Rodell?" In
quired Mr.. Black.
Out west somewhere on a ranch"
is he your own cousin"
No. my mothers; am Daniel Ro-
dell's grandniece, you know"
Everything went on smoothly with
the cid ladies Curiosity made them
look in odd places to see If there were
more money hidden.
Finally under the caves of the attic
they found tin box such as valuable
papers are sometimes kept in, but
there was no key. Again Mr.. Black
was sen; fer. Il took them days 20
and key 70 fl. Mr. Black opened the
box, 50 everything should be covered
~ law Tatitha was as interested as
il Size was In heir
The box contained $500, TIE paper
read "to buy horse and turnout for
my niece"
Mr. Rodell was an enigma. always
thought remarked Mr. Slack. but he
must have enjoyed planning the little
SURPRISES
Dame Torture dipped her fingers IN
the pie: and dropped more gold into
Frances fingers. She went into Uncle
Daniels room one day to direct the
cleaning of a closet and put his clothes
away for the summer.
She tossed old an old Shoe 1t went
down with thud. She tossed out the
mate. which seemed stuffed with pa
pers. She told Tabitha to take out the
rest OF the things and proceeded to
examine the shoes. One was filed
with silver half dollars. The other
contained stocks and bonds which
were for John Rodell II he married
Frances Strong: SO a little paper tuck
ed in the shoe stated
The silver was Frances without any
proviso
II John Rodell did not comply with
this request, a home for INDECENT bach.
elors was to be started with the money
realized by selling the stocks.
Frances flew to the barn, harnessed
her horse and drove 10 Mr. Blacks
office. She tossed the papers on the
table and gave him the slip to read.
Mr. Black gave prolonged whistle as
he read.
Frances eyes flashed fire.
such an indignity." she said. Il
won't stand it! Mr.. John Rodell will
never marry Frances. so the bachel.
ors are sure of home.' scorn-
fully
The Office boy stuck his head in the
door.
Mr. John Rodell to see you, sir!"
Frances and Mr.. Black both started.
Frances jumped up.
Good morning, Mr.. Black" she
whispered, and rushed past Mr. Rodell,
who had followed closely on the boys
Mr.. Black saw tall. finely formed,
man, bronxed OF face,
with kind blue eyes and brown hair.
Well, Mr.. Black, here | am. Your
many personals have at last reached
me"
AS he talked Mr Black thought, and
determined to assist little Dan Cupid
aho masqueraded as Uncle Daniel-so
ne told Mr. kolell that Uncle Daniel
lad ieit hal! his house to him, and half
o Frances rong. and did not men
ion rroyso. bonds or stocks.
Miss Strong is living ii he, part for
lie summer with h.r srtat-aunt, Who
. your aunt"
Then John and he went up to look
It johns part. John Was pleased, i,
ooled fairly comfortable, 50 he said
le guessed he'd have ii cleaned W a
lit and stay awhile.
While John was in one of the shops
'lr. Black came TO Frances and told
Ter he had thought best not to say
anything TO Mr.. Rodell about the
,onds.
Thank you'll" said Frances. ~,
would have made It SO awkward Tor
Is both. Now We can be good friends
Which In truth they became. The
hummer passed merrily and Frances /
vent back to New York In September, |
to come back at Thankssiv.
ne. which she did. but the other half |
4 the house was silent, for John had ,
,one back to his ranch.
Summer came again. and with II
frances. The two old ladies were de-
lighted to see her. The long, lovely
ays passed slowly. Frances seemed
ather sober. She missed her comrade
I the year before.
Aunt Elizabeth said: Il do wish
n