The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-25


probably receive an answer to my tel
egram here. and you may call for It.
If you will"
Il shall be-" Prone was about to
add delighted" when he caught an
other glimpse of the confident man
across the aisle ''I-I-er-well." he
stammered
The girl stared at him in surprise.
OF course she said. distinctly. Il
won't for the world ask it ii it is gO'
ing to Inconvenience you. thought
possibly"
THAT it would be pleasure to
me-" quickly added Prone. You are
right, it will"
Leaving the girl at the corner OF the
station and in charge of his baggage.
he rushed hastily toward the tele-
graph office is there telegram
here for" he gasped and then
We'll, III be blessed II | haven't for.
gotten to ask her name" With a curl
Gus mngling OF emotions-regret at
the further delay. and joy in the
knowledge that he would shortly know
who she was. he returned to the cor
ner. There sat his grips-alone! She
was gone.
Cad" he murmured disgustedly.
Talk about Mr. Easy Mark" Sudden
ly. and with blighting effect, the whole
scheme lay bare before him.
I'm not done yet" he grOwled, as q
passing cab drew to the curb In re-
spouse to bis raised hand. "The
Square Deal Store" he said. "and -
above fare II there's froth on your
horses lips when We arrive"
As Frone breathlessly advanced to-
ward the private Office Of old Col.
Dane, the owner and buyer OF the
Square Deal Store. Dobson was max.
ing a leisurely exit. "A little late,
aren't you?" he sneered. as the hurry.
Ing man passed him. Prone ignored
him.
"Col. Dane is busy" explained the
office boy, and seated the Directing
drummer in the ante-rOom.
but must see him at once-I have
an engagement" protested Prone.
The youth eyed him with small ia
vor We'll, yer don't see him at
once" he vociferated. "Dere's a lady
before yer. See?"
Frone groaned Nothing but the
natural instinct OF the fighting roadster
had kept him In the race after 1t had
been brought to him that his defeat
was foregone conclusion, and now
that he had leisure to think 1t over. 1t
occurred to him that an inconspicuOus
retreat was In order. He arose. just a.
the door OF the inner Office opened
and the fair one OF the train made
her appearance. She beamed at Prone
with a touch OF mischief In her eyes.
nodded slightly, and was gone. Prone
sighed.
Gimme yer card" growled the wait.
ing boy, and plodded into the august
presence lie returned with scarft
phrase to the effect that FrOne could
enter.
Take a chair" greeted Col. Dane.
He was an impressive figure. with .
gray imperial dotting a strong chin.
and wealth Of long white hair sweep.
Ing broad shoulders.
Keen eyes surveyed Frone. you
are aware, Of course" began the
merchant that the order for which
you have come was to have been
given to the first man who reached
me, either from your Arm, or the
house Of Meek & Metz"
YES, SIR" murmured Frone, his
arguments failing before the strong
personality of the man. From beneath
bushy brows the old colonel surveyed
him.
Well" came crisply, do you know
that the Meek Metz man has been
here"
81 thought" began Prone.
"You thought" interrupted Dane.
that polite attentions to strange
women would land our trade, pre-
sumo" The old man spoke caustical-
ly.
1T"
And so you allowed Dobson to
reach us flrsto"
"Dobson?" Intercepted Prone, his
thoughts on the girl
Yes. Dobson." growled the mer.
chant. III the woman in the case
wasn't my daughter. and II she hadn't
interceded with an indulgent old
father who denies her nothing-even
business secrets-your cake would be
dough. young man. As It is. want you
to understand that don't approve Of
your actions at all. by rights you
should have forfeited our business"
There was q belying twinkle In the
old mans eyes. However" he con-
tinued, II can't stop to talk crockery
now-too busy" He snapped open
bis watch. he here at SIX" he gfowl-
ed, settling back to his papers. You
A. .,seh 90. vou know 1,mm-nne.