The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-16
57s1 THINE
- LOCK
By CHARLES EDM0NDS WALK
Author Of "The Silver Blade"
"The Paternoster Ruby" etc.
(Copyright 1912 By A. c. k.cCluER 4 CO..

Great Scott" cried the other I'M
patiently. whats the matter with
you? Are you i'll? Or is it money
or debts? "-although he knew Tom to
be marvelously healthy animal, and
that neither of the other two possibili-
ties had power to disturb him in the
least.
Tom now slowly revolved his head
and looked at Van Vechten, classify.
Without replying, he absently fell to
caressing one wrist. which appeared to
his companion to be somewhat swol-
len and bruised. Van Vechten's curl
| osity mounted.
Where have you been?" he de-
handed.
Tom answered with poorly assumed
carelessness: "Over at Rocky Cove"
Then unconsciously he began caress-
ing the other wrist, which also was
discolored and swollen, Van Vechten
observed.
Rocky Cove-h'-m. What's hap
pened to your wrists?"
Tom flushed and tried to hide the
telltale wrists, but finding this impos-
sible he came suddenly back to earth.
Rudy" he abruptly announced, Il
mean to find a job"
"A iaudable ambition" commented
his friend, still cycling him curiously.
4 never had job myself, nor any
desire for one; which, as has been
pointed out to me more than once, Is
nothing whatever to my credit. What
do you purpose doing, may | inquirer"
"I'm serious" returned Tom, scowl-
ing. Il mean just what say. l in
tend to 60 to work. Think of all the
years I've squandered in idleness-"
Heaven Forbid" broke in his
friend. Il can imagine only one thing
that could set you to rejecting upon
the desolate, dreary waste of your mis-
spent life. And, mirabile dictu ct visu,
it has come at last! Who is this para
gon of her sex that has quickened
you?"
Tom colored again. "Shucks!" he
growled sulkily. "A fellow might as
well try talking seriously to an idiot"
Believe me- said Van Vechten
earnestly, 81 never was in more
sober mood in my life. Mayn't l be
permitted some vent for my stupefac-
ton? You appear here, utterly unlike
the chap know, and sit for minutes,
about as garrulous as corpse, then
overwhelm me with the amazing reve-
lation that you are-at last-in love!
Tom, my dear fellow, feel as If l
were participating in miracle. Tell
me frankly all about her"
"She has the tenderest, most mu-
steal voice in the world" said Tom
fervently.
That's the genuine poetic touch"
said his friend. And her hair?-her
eyes? Is she tall or short-Psyche, or
Diana? Eebe, or Hippolyta?"
Il don't know" stammered Tom.
What"
Tom twisted and squirmed uneasily
in his chair.
Dash it all!' blurted he at last. 81
was an ass for coming here; might
have known that you'd screw every
Thing out Of me- When | say don't
know what she looks like, mean Just
that, but it makes me out blooming
lunatic. But / haven't seen her.
haven't the least idea what she looks
| 90 I 70 EnI h,c
than ever wanted anything in my
life."
The others aspect grew grave enough
now. 1t was plainly manifest that.
since they had parted Sunday, Tom
had undergone an experience of some
kind, that had affected him profound
ly.
Suppose said his friend sympa-
thetically, you tell me all about her."
And Tom did. He began with his
day upon the waters of the sound. con.
Guiding this stage OF his adventure
with an account of the motorboat and
its occupants.
At mention of the white.haired SER
want, Van Vechten started violently,
but managed to restrain the ejacula-
ton that leaped to the tip of his
tongue His interest was now doubled
and he settled himself to harken to
the narrative, which he followed
thenceforward to the end with a con-
ception that inspired Tom to genuine
eloquence.
At the close OF the recital Van Vech.
ten remained long time absorbed in
| thought.
ITO think" he said finally, that
you-of all persons-should have blum
dered into an adventure like that
But, Tommy, it is unfortunate that you
pledged yourself not to hunt for the
house. | suppose it occurred to you
that these people are the same who
occupied thirteen-thirteen?"
Tom nodded.
Then listen to this" Van Vechten
pursued. During your absence, Paige's
silence has assumed a really disquiet
ing aspect; am now deeply con
, cerned about her-even now am await
ing replies to dozen or more cable
grams | sent off this morning. Her
gold purse was found yesterday in that
house."
His friend stared at him blankly.
How the dickens did it get there p
! he exclaimed