The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-10-02


Then saw that she was crying and
abe looked ten years older.
whats the matter, Miss La:imer?'
asked.
"'Joe has thrown me over, she sob
bed. l said she was a commonplace
sort Of girl, and the type that would
blurt out that sort Of thing. But
ell the same she was just suited to Joe
and was mighty sorry for both Of
them.
''The hound kept away from mo
after that. guess he knew that I
had got wind Of the affair. Folks be-
gan coupling his name with that Of
Miss Macy, local society girl, as the
newspapers phrase it. Miss Macy
hadn't any money, but she had style
and dash to sell and she wasn't chary
about 1t reckon she was anxious to
get those pretty insteps Of hers inside
that touring car.
1T was at the end of the fourth week
when Joe burst into my rooms one
evening, as white as a sheet. In his
hand he held lawyers letter. He
handed 1t to me without word and
sank down into my leather chair.
There was no tango this time. His
face was drawn and yellow. l read
the letter and looked at him. and
was quite shocked at the change In
his appearance.
$50 it seems there isn't any prop
hitter ALL said
"'No, he cried The old hog hadn't
any title 10 that land at all. What am
I going to do, Will? I'm ruined
"'What about the real estate and
the touring carr I asked. couldn't
help haunting him.
They're going to take everything
back, he answered savagely. But
what good will that do me? I owe
I'VE hundred for the clothes and II
will take me my life to pay that back
III l get back my job
"'How about Miss Latimerr ask
ID, and Joe sprang up and grabbed me
by the arm.
"I've been . hog and . skunk,
Will,' he said. DO you think she'll
take me back? DO you?
II told him to be a man, to 60 to bis
boss first and ask for his old Job back
then to 20 to Miss lAtimer and ask
her forgiveness. think he saw things
more seriously when | had finished
speaking to him Anyway, he did
what l told him to and next day he
was back with his former employer
working for SIS week And the fol
lowing Sunday met him walking with
May l4atimer and their faces were IA
diant
"Yes, that was q lesson for Joe
Ransom. All the town was laughing
at him. The little boys called 'chug
chug.' after him In the streets. But
May was plucky girl and she stood
by him, and saw that he was de
termined to live down the past.
1.-TWO weeks passed. The boys hat
ceased to yell after Joe. The day fol
the marriage had been fixed The
tailor had been pacified, through m!
Intervention. Joes future was ap
parently to be as untroubled as hi
past had been. The brief splurge. thu
| chnrt r{,,iI ~ Wnolth hof
steadied the fellow. The yellow
streak had worn itself away. Ant
then, few nights before his wed
ding day, Joe and Miss Latimer CAM
round to my rooms together. Joe hat
letter in his hands. He handed
to me without a word. read 1t.
Dear Sir it ran:
"We beg to notify you that TIL
sale of the property of your uncle. tn
late MIR. Josiah Ransom, netted tn
sum of $43,S97.16, and we are encloa
Ing you a draft for the same. less fiv'
per cent commission and estate fees
Respectfully yours,
'Wedgwood and Orpington.'
Well, young people, l said. 'wha
do you make Of that?'
Joe swallowed painfully. I've sen
a telegram and had the letter con
firmed, and they say the former let
ter was hoax he said. It's true
Will, don't you understand? Lord
that practical joker saved my none!
for me. | don't owe penny excep
TO the tailor, and May Is going to SCI
that there aren't any touring cars
1t seems as though that practica
joker did you good turn agains
your WISH | said. Maybe he was
friend Of yours in disguise, joe
Maybe, said Joe Ransom doubt
fully.
"But May Latimer had more pei
ception than I had given her credi
for, because, as they went out Of tn
door she suddenly turned and squeeze,
my hand.
"I'll never forget this-never. MI
Anderson she said
"'Take care Of Joe,' I answered
and we'll call 1t square
"She did"
Copyright 1913 by W. @. Chapman.)