The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-02-03

GERS. None of it now. III celebrate
III / meal and a nickel show,
noueh. Why not? I've enough saved
up tor the wedding. and with that
H."
Srasgers felt quite proud as he
bought OF the anticipated garb. He
vent TO a restaurant. sat at real
able, and did very timely on twenty
cent meal Then he strolled around
for an hour. and finally landed at a
nickel moving picture show.
Once settled in comfortable seat,
Staggers was loath to give up the
lights. the warmth and the soothing
cxcitemnt. He heard some one say
it was raining outside. Mrs. Ainslee
had given him an old umbrella, and
Staggers felt proudly that he did not
have to dodge the showers.
He sat through the performances
of the same thing over and over again.
1t was eleven o'clock when he fol.
lowed the crowd out to the street.
It was drilling trihe. Staggers
started homewards The streets were
pretty we'll deserted. AS he passed
a well-known hotel. several gentle.
men came out shook hands in part.
ing, and one of them. turning up his
coat collar, started on at breakneck
pace
Hello" suddenly exclaimed Stag.
rs with start and stare why,
mats my suit"
1t certainly was Bob Anslee. The
tiramp did not feel we'll enough &C.
,aaintcd to call after him. In fever.
i haste, however, he started in
pursuit.
I've got to catch him. brcathed
ae ardent pursuer. Its beginning
.a ram harder. Say, he'll spoil my suit.
ipA careless some people are"
.ioh was aiming for a trolley line
Hfec blocks away. He had been
ick slrinter at college Staggers
ID 10 run to even match his gait.
H. tramp was hie-eyed with anxiety,
Ht'nS Ike parpolse now, and per-
rulng.
he rain will Shrink it," he gasp
81 II the oOlors shUad run, it's
aimed
About to hail Mr. Aiuslce, the tramp
broke into his best run instead Pass.
'ns dark alley, Bob was halted by
irre lootpads
lands up, boss" ordered the
.eader.
l'ilf' bang Police thus Stag.
@rrs. his umbrella swinging like
llall his voice braying out in a hoarse
Var whoop. At the corner q police.
man appeared. The batIled hold.up
men darted back into the alley. Bob
Nlnslce picked up his watch where it
ilad fallen when Staggers struck up
Il" differing arm of the footpad.
Why, my man, You arrived in
'he nick of time, didn't you?" hailed
olly Bob.
Yes, sir Umbrella, please, sir;
YOU re getting wet"
q, never mind That"
But lists my suit" explained
StagSers desperately.
"Eh ha' why, its my wifes pro.
t'ge, declare. How came you
here?'
Slagsors explained. The policeman
was advised OF what had happened.
MI. Ans!ee consented IL get under
the umbrella but returned it with "A
dollar 10 his reocuer when he reached
his ear.
See here. Staggers," he said in a
friendly way You call at my house
tomorrow There will be something
waiting there Tor YOU"
Mrs Nlnslee beamed with delight
as her husband walked into the house
halt an hour earlier than she expect.
ed
Yen can pack up this suit for that
aCtN' ifc'ese of yours tomorrow,
Laura announced Bob. Hes earn.
cd it"
Then he told her. There were
thrills as Bob depicted the great rough
loofpads and throbs OF delight as he
related how her kindness 10 the tramp
mad prevented a robbery, possibly
worse
And that was how old Staggers won
his wedding suit.
Copyright, i9i@. by w G. Chapman1