The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-10


t mer
Shall let her out, sir?"
Mr.. King nodded. then, turning col
fidingly to Phil, he began to tell hir
what Phil had long suspected. tina
; he was deeply in love with the bea,
; tiful Miss Meeks, whom he had visi
ed every weekend for many months
Phil listened attentively to ever
word, and by a subtle understanding
invited further confidence.
I don't quite know" Mr.. Kim
spoke apologetically, "why I Away
have had desire to confide in you
but I simply must"
Phil smiled proudly, and openin,
up the valves slowly increased thu
speed, until the trees and fences wer.
mere specks, so quickly were the!
passed. Finally they slowed down
then drew up in front of a low white
house.
Come for me about nine" Mr.
King called as he ran up the path tc
the house.
/. In the garage Phil removed his
vtsored cap and coat to work on the
car, and for an hour he cleaned Wig.
orously
He was a slight chap, with soft
eyes and a winsome smile, really too
refined looking for his position,
though as he worked he scowled, and
his face was not quite pleasant. He
was thinking with bitterness Of all
Mr.. King had told him, and a great
resentment grew in his heart toward
the woman, who in his estimation
was far from good enough for his EN-.
ployer
He was still bending over the car
when he was called to the telephone.
Phil" Mr. King called, come for
me at once, and bring all our stuff.
We're going home tonight"
A lump came In Pills throat, and
he couldn't answer. When he did, no
one was there.
Scarcely fifteen minutes later they
were on their way to New York.
For over an hour neither spoke.
though several times Phil cast covert
glances at Mr. King, to find he was
looking with unseeing eyes at the
road ahead bathed in the moonlight.
At length Phil laid his hand I'm.
derstandngly on Mr. Kings shoulder
The quiet sympathy brought a half
sob, and he turned and faced him.
odd chap" he said, brokenly, |
she's only been playing with me; she
loves another man."
lie gently pressed the shoulder, but
said nothing, and they sped on and on
over rough roads and smooth, fast
and ever faster, following the trail of
the night into the dawn. Just as the
gray was giving way to the roseate
hues of early morning they reached
the top of a long hill; at the foot
was railroad crossing. Never slack.
ening, they started the descent.
About halfway down he shut off
the power and applied the brakes.
Ihere was no slackening of the ter.
rifle speed, and he realized that he
could not stop the car: and on the
crossing, reaching entirely across the
road, was freight train.
I've lost control" his voice was
scarcely more than a whisper
Mr. King looked at him as ono IN a
trance. Phil stecred for the side Of
The road where the grass was long
and soft.
When they were near enough for
one jumping to land on the soft sod
he said in commanding tone:
Jump"
But YOU" Mr.. King looked hope.
lessly at Phil.
Clear and incisive, the command
was repeated. He hesitated for a
second, half standing, then he leaped,
and knew no more.
Phil, afraid to look at him, moved
quickly from under the steering
wheel, still keeping his hand on it. his
EFT hand on the arm of the seat Sud.
ienly releasing his hold, when about
zen feet from the track, he jumped
anding fiat in the dusty road.
A second later the car crashed into
he freight
When Mr. King came to, several l
hours later, in farmers house. his
irst question was for Phil.
Your chauffeur is safe" he was ,
old, but" {
WHAT" he questioned I
your chauffeur isis a woman"
A-oh, my Cod" he dropped back
N the couch.
A year later they were in a brand. {
lew car. Phil, in long coat and tinv {
lat, was driving. {
Phil. dear" he said tenderly. you t
must be proud of having been
hauffeur. for it isn't every fatherless I
,irl who would do so much to sun. {
'ort her mother. I love you for II,
nd a thousand other things. You |
aved my life, you know, and all I q
an do is to lay 1t at your feet" He 7
ook the hand resting on the wheel.
Then you don't think / did wrong I
o disguise myself as a man." She }
urned her head slightly and looked {
alto his eyes, instantly reading much
nore than forgiveness there.