The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-27


oozlng dribble. and an armed man
pacing beside it, rife in hand
Looks good, don't it?" sneered the
man. Read these"
Inc most cursory survey of the
papers and letters flung down on the
table showed Ormsby that his suspi.
cions were more than justified. A
lengthy perusal convinced him that
the mans charges were entirely true.
A letter signed with Wares name,
and in his inimitable writing, disclosed
the fact that the whole scheme was a
trick on a contiding public, to rake in
thousands. And when Ormsby put
down the papers and stared haggard-
ly at the fellow he knew that his cas-
tie in the air lay ruined upon the
ground.
Ten minutes later he had begun the
most imprisoned article that he had
ever written. He denounced Alpaca
oil as a fraud, he showed up Colonel
Ware as an unmitigated scoundrel.
Each word might have been written
with his hearts blood, for each
seemed to place a mile between Mil
dred and himself. When he had end
ed they might have been separated
by illimitable space
He finished the editorial, sent a
proof by the boy to Manton, instruct
Ing his subordinate to have the article
set as soon as Manton's formal &C.
acknowledgement came over the wire,
and fastened home. He fell asleep
after hours of agonized wakefulness.
When he awoke he sat up in bed,
wondering why his head ached and all
his life seemed hopeless. Then he be-
gan to remember. The news must
have become general property long
ago. Doubtless panic reigned on the
Street. He pictured chaos in q hun.
dred homes, the colonel's fury, Mil
dred's tears. Then, putting on his
dressing gown, he telephoned his Of
fee.
Hello, Blake" he called to his as
sistant. what price is Alpaca oil this
morning."
ITS being quoted at 49," answered
Blake without hesitation.
What" shouted Ormsby. What
about that editorial in the paper?"
There's nothing about Alpaca oil
on our editorial page said Blake.
"Then those scoundrels have omit
ted to print it." shouted Ormsby, be-
side himself.
Gust a minute, please" said the
man at the other end. Here's Mr..
Manton. He wants to talk to YOU"
A moment later the owners voice
came over the wires.
Hello, Ormsby," he said. Say,
what in thunder did you mean by that
piece about Alpaca oil? caught it
just as l was going to bed and stopped
1t just in time. Why, that's the big
gest proposition that's listed today.
It'll touch $50 before the week Is out"
you must be mistaken, Mr.. Man
ton" said Ormsby. II have positive
information that-but wait! I'll be
down in an hour. Can you wait for
me?"
Come up to my house." said Man
ton CURLY, and hung up the receiver.
Ormsby, smarting and indignant,
dressed himself hurriedy and snatched
a few mouthfuls of breakfast; then
he took street car up to MantOns
house at Darlington Park, a fashion
able residential district He arrived
Tuning with indignation. He was
shown into Manton's study-to find
not only Manton but Colonel Ware
and Mildred. The colonel was looking
sour and Mildred respondent.
"Ah, Mr.. Ormsby," said Manton,
you nearly got us into fine scrape.
The Observer has never made so bad
a break as you seemed bent upon max
ing for us last night. Lord, If |
hadn't caught that editorial of yours
in time! | placed such trust in you,
Ormsby, that I've passed everything
you've written automatically for
weeks. But | happen to be interested
In Alpana oil apd--"
"Then I'll write you my resignation,
sir" said Ormsby.
well, it isn't as bad as that" grum-
BLEED the owner. ''But-"
Colonel Ware took two or three
strides up and down the room. He
looked at Mildred, whose lips were
trembling; then all at once he stopped
and thumped his fist down on the
table
"Manton," he said, I'm pretty
tough, but I can't stand for this. I'm
the culprit. | meant 10 tell you, but
didn't know how you'd take it. That
boy isn't to blame"
What do you mean, Colonel?' in
quired Manton stifily.
"You remember George-shabby
little fellow with a lisp who used 10
spy on the Knack properties? Well,
Manton, it may not have been quite
straight, but | meant to let you fel'
lows in on it. | tried to work Mr.
Ormsby to give US a fair write-up.
When he wouldn't l sent George to
him with some fake papers and pho
tographs In hopes he'd write just such |