The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-19

dentially you seem like pretty nice
young couple, and l amt one to spoil
snort. II you want to skin out just as
you are now, inside Of sixty seconds
don't know but l might-look the
other way, see?"
I'VE don't wish anything OF the
kind" said Miss Evangeline haughtily.
The young man merely stared; ne
was evidently preparing speeches for
her father. Tom edged toward the
door.
"Well. dunno as I need to wait,
then. Family rows is for the family
only. say. done my job, and"
"Hold up!" commanded the young
man. II wish you to stay. Here!
Three swift steps had taken Tom 10
|. the front door. He clutched 1t open
i" and nearly landed in the arms OF MISS
II Evangeline's mother and father. Thell
r, portly presence left no loophole.
IT Thought I'd save you finding your
kew. sir" he said. 81 done my Jot
n but the young folks is pretty mad
u
IS with detective, sir" the young maj
"a began imposingly; then temper over
It, threw diction. I'm hanged il II
stand for it," he burst out.
is, Detective? Are you crazy?' he e.
o. claimed.
al Tom fell back a step toward tn
N, dining-room. ooh, If you want to 6
ed back on me, sir, amt nothing to sa
ng But | stopped this here elopement an
an I've earned my pay. I'll call for 1t I
DID, morrow"
iet He achieved another step. M
S $ Whittimore seemed short of breath.
ew "Elopement? Detective? Got
wo God, Vangy, never hired a detecti'
ars in my life. It's some Internal blu
It'll der!"
he well, here he is," said Miss Eva
the geline coldly. III you will let us 6
and married. we'll overlook it. 9th
axe wise"
the She drew herself up, and II
d achieved another STEP The old g
to tleman's temper began to show SIG
had of wear.
any Marry any one you please!
for mercy's sake don't say T.
use A scuffe and crash Interrupt
y in A whiring heap on the floor resol'
way, itself into Tom Patterson on his ba
tant with Miss Evangeline's lover kneel
lush ON his chest, hand at his throat
door, Sorry to make row." apology
The the young man breathlessly. but
e. caught on just in time. He's sn
, and thief"
,ossi You seem to be IA fairly up-'
find. coming young fellow" stammered
/ the Whittimore.
,tible Look a here, Mr.. WHITING
ocket broke in Tom peaceably, you d
time want all this In the papers.
with "All what, you scoundrel?"
room "EIopement in the -Four Hundr
feline. Miss Evangeline Whittimore, daus
hands of-see? Now you got the swag,
teeth got the girl; what more d'you W
began outside a police court, ! amt like
with talk You think about it."
Sud His captors did think about 1t,
ewes dismayed faces The two wome
neing. the stairs exchanged horri1ed gla
,hriek, Mr. Whittimore pinched his
et out scowled, sighed, then nodded he
"a and Slowly and reluctantly, the last p
An in. emptied, the young man arose
With a Toms chest.
Two minutes later Mr.. Thomas
uickly. terson, hurrying through the
he had smiled to himself as he inserted
full fingers into remote crevas
know!" his structure, where the contrib
on his from Mr.. Whittimore's desk
lurked in a compact wad.
yranni- "They didn't know l mad ina
three reflected, "but l guess Ill keep
That hush money. Two hundred doll
re will. more'n that young dude earns
.t% evening anyhow"
I want Copyright. Frank A. Munsey 9