The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-09

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the one he dominated. There had
been those who defied him, and they
had come to grief. When he was told
that young Campbell was going to
nv it he sent for him and said:
"A new daily on the carpet, eh?"
Yes"
Drop IT,"
My 500"
Because | run this town."
Perhaps 60"
I'll chase you out in month";"
His threat would probably have
been carried out but for a circum.
stance beyond the control of any boss.
Miss Kitty Doland and Mr.. Charles
Campbell met. and it was a case of
love at first sight. The new daily had
been started and was struggling to
live when the girl came to know Boss
Kelly's program to kill 1t. For the
frs. time since she had held her place
she raised her voice in protest. She
was answered sneeringly and brutally.
Campbell should learn what it meant
to defy the boss of Grafton. If there
had not already been admiration and
love, the attitude of the politician
would have awakened them.
Miss Doland quit her place within
the hour, laughing at the threat that
she and her mother should be made
homeless within = week. That evening
the Hon. ]. Kelly, as his newspaper
organ always referred to him, receiv-
ed three callers in a bunch. There
was no need of introductiOns. He was
known to Miss Doland, Mr.. Campbell
! and Lawyer Stratton. The lawyer did
not belong to the gang" On the
contrary, he had been hot on the trail
Of the boss for many months.
What blamed nonsense is this?"
gruffly asked the boss as all got
seated.
Mr.. Kelly" replied Miss Doland, Il
am not exactly engaged to Mr.. Camp
bell, but-but-"
Tell your mother that shall turn
her QUIT"
But We are going into partnership
in the newspaper business"
"lIumph!"
You will do your best to kill the
enterprise?"
AS dead as Il door nail!'
Il wanted TO be sure of it. Mr..
Kelly, when the new courthouse was
erected two years ago your share Of
the graft was $J0,0oo. have figures
and memoranda to prove it,
It's lc."
"Whcn the land for the new 7" TX
was acquired it was bought tlro 81
the real estate ring, OF which you are
the head. The price was fixed and
rushed through, and your share Of the
graft was over $4,000. | have proofs
TO so before the jury
Another lie" was muttered.
when the old Jail was repaired
your divvy was about $1,000
1t wasn't seven cents"
"On the paving done last year
your ring made clean steal of over
$4,000"
HUI"
Your and your friends have pur.
chased 200 acres of land to unload on
a reservoir"
Get out OF my house-all Of you!"
shouted the boss as he sprang up.
Softly does it, Mr.. Kelly" replied
the girl. Il have other things to
mention.
You are traitor
"A mistake, Mr.. Kelly. Mr.. STRAIT.
ton is here as my lawyer, and cannot
take advantage of what is said unless
| decide to prosecute and furnish him
certain documents. Those documents
will be placed in the safe Of The
Daily star to be brought out and pub.
lished whenever the editor thinks the
time is ripe. Is il to be war or
peace"
is tne new paper Scln 10 pltCU
into me?"
Not for what has happened in the
past-not unless you force 1t to.
consider that did not get that infor
nation fairly. but The Star will be
ON the watch in the future
Reform he sneered.
Not at all. Mr.. Kelly. It's just an
experiment to see how city can be
run without q boss
And the city of Grafton has voted
the experiment a success, while the
business partnership" is paying af.
fair. and the matrimonial enterprise
promises much happiness.
Copyright. 1872. by Associated Literary