The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-30
Harold groaned. He hung about In

Harold groaned. He hung about In
. state Of real wretchedness the next
day. He saw through the trees his
friend and Eta boating on the lake.
Later he viewed them swinging in q
hammock. happy. jolly, all sunshine.
He was returning from a solitary
tramp down a country road, when he
ron across Dale rushing along in a
great state of excitement.
Say, Harold" he burst forth.
heres work for the friends of Miss
Morris. Somebody broke into the
house this afternoon and stole all her
jewelry. Among it is ring that be-
longed to her dead mother treasured
| by her as a priceless relic. I'm just
going to Inform the police. Three men
were seen hanging about the place"
Three menu" repeated Harold, with
= quick start, but his friend, catching
sight of local constable, dashed of
to interview him.
That hint, "thrce men," was acted
upon instantly by Harold. He had
met Just that number or rough looking
strangers, one of them carrying a gun,
an hour previous proceeding down q
country road away from the village.
He took up the trail.
That next hour was brisk, event
full one for him. Harold traced two Of
them to campfire in the woods. AS
he stood at the top of a short hill re.
garding them, the third Of the group
came along. To cyade him Harold
crept into hollow, rotted log lying
on the hillside. The man descended
and Joined his fellows. Harold start.
ed to creep out CT the leg. In doing
so he disturbed its equilibrium. Over
and over with its inmate it rolled
downwards. There were yells OF ex.
element and pain. The leg moved
down the three men like Grass, struck
tree, split open. and, ha!f stunned.
the hero Of the occasion relied cut.
Harold made a dash for e jewel
case one Of the thieves had dropped:
next for the gun. One Of the men was
limping, a second had bleeding face,
the third was battered up quite as
badly.
"March-to the town." ordered Har.
old. extending tho weapon, and an
hour later he had safely Gagged his cap.
tives.
He was solemn as an owl as he re.
turned the jewelry to Miss Morris.
Her gratitude and fricndliness warm
ed M his heart little. She insisted
that he was thoughtful, valiant, and
had done her grateful service. Then
he spoke of going away. and her love-
ly face fell. He could not help it.
reserve to the winds! He was for.
lcrn human being. and he told his
love. She listened, blushing divinely,
but with strange little smile play.
ing about her charming face.
But what about Lucy" she began.
and was interrupted by'a violent start
on the part Of her visitor. His e-e
had fallen on an album open on her
writing desk. Its first picture showed
himself! The light fairly .blazed
across his bewildered mind.
"Then-then-" gasped Harold.
changing to all colors, you KNEW"
THAT you were really Lucy's broth.
err" questioned Eta, shyly. Eyes.
from the first. From the very first.
too" she continued, q" :.
She paused in faltering confusion.
Harold Mercer had learned his lesson.
No more doubt, duplicity or analysis
now! lie had found his fate, he was
sure of 1t, and he kissed the sweet
hands away from tie blushing face
as he told Eta so.
Copyright, 1913. by W. q. Chapman.)