The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-17

The count got this much off in {
twenty-minute call. The widow
Dareforth was charmed - not tot
much SO, but moderately charmed
She had always wanted to live in az
Italian castle and have banana:
right at hand. Besides. Italy is the
place where the pure olive oil comes
from after it has been shipped over
there by the Cotton Seed trust. Be
sides, again. it would be so nice to
have a husband who could swea,
by simply shrr1ging his shoulders!
Yes, the count left a pleasant i'm
preston behind. and four days later
when he invited Mrs. Dareforth to
dine with him at a restaurant, chap
eroned by her aunt, the invitation
was accepted.
NIr. Fred Nevins met them at the
door and conducted them to a table
in the most ceremonious way He had
got place as headwaiter. That is
he was to have a week TO make good
in. He did not smile. The widow
was so astounded that she couldn't
have smiled for cash down. The
aunt, who also knew Fred, had to
swallow an olive or perish. The only
one maintaining a complacent de
meanor was the count, and he
snapped his fingers at the head
waiter and said
Fellow, see that my orders are
attended to with promptness.
At that dinner the count grew con.
fidential. He was in America to buy
the right Of patent flying machine
for a million dollars-one he could
sell to his government for five mil.
lion. He didn't need the four million,
but he was a charitable man. lie
would devote the profits of the deal
to orphan asylums. He was praised
and flattered. and on tie way out to
the taxi he dared to press the widows
hand. At her door he dared to press
1t again.
It was at his third call at the house
that with a simple shrug of the right
shoulder he let the widow know that
he was in love with her. Then a
shrug Of the left warned her that
might come at the next call.
and that she had better get ready for
t.
It would be ungallant to say that
Mrs. Dareforth was ready for It. but
Il can be related that the proposal
iidnt come. The count Just ran in
10 say that he had bargained for the
patent. but was short $4,000 cash.
He must raise 1t within two hours or
ose the four millions profit. He
would have money from Rome by
lext steamer. and II tho widow
would
She would and she did. She was
happy to give him check for the
AMOUNT needed. and the count shrug.
led his gratitude with both shoulders
It once.
Two hours later Mr.. Fred Nevins
old her over the wire:
"I've got the bounce at that res.
aurant."
"Of course you have" was the re.
'ly. well, what now"
"I'm in the detective business.
Vent into 1t only twenty minutes
go. but have already struck a clew."
ITO WHAT"
ITO Count Luigi"
"What. What! Fred Nevius, I
ommand you to-"
But he shut her OF. and she had a
light of anxiety Next forenoon Fred
anne again. This time he said:
"fIot on the trail."
"What do you mean"
"Count Luigi. He got your check
ashed. but hope to get him with
he goods on him."
Fred Nevins. have you gone
razy!"
No answer. He was of again. Two |
wful hours passed, and then came
be ring again.
Got him at last"
Got who?"
"Count Luigi. Took him OF the
teamer about to sail. Got your $50.
90 back for you. He was formerly |
barber"
That night the jolly bachelor was
aken seriously for once. When he
ad finished telling his story he said:
so you can see how bad you need
husband who Is in the detective
YES" was the long-drawn reply.
(which Is me-"
WYe,st"