The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-08

6 iIcSiU45 do IL HdU Uetu lOl ulUulu
e the windows all as irresponsible, th
sooty facade as sphinXlike.
Tom was still contemplating hi
: friend in bewilderment.
"You didn't by any chance think
, was Miss Carew, did you?' he asked.
The other bent startled look upo
him.
Paige? Heavens, no! Don't be
blooming idiot. 1t was young girl
though. l couldn't see her face, Blu
for a second ! thought she was som,
one | know-a much older woman
The words trailed off.
| There followed moment of silence
then he announced with quiet de
cision:
tom, believe my interest is re
viving. If you don't mind, my dear
fellow, we shall see whether this is an
| occasion calling for an outsiders inter.
ference"
Tom chortled. Enter, a girl, and
the bludgeon is to be supplemented by
a keen, thin blade.'"
! Just SO, old man." drawled his
friend.
| But these two puzzled young men
were not afforded much time to ex.
change views upon the newest develop
ment. Without the slightest forewarn-
ing of the gravity OF what was about
to happen, Number 1913 gave them
the most startling episode so far of
the day.
The door had been closed behind the
girl a minute or such matter, when
Van Vechten and Phinney saw it
Jerked partially open and at once
banged violently shut again. In truth,
they both plainly heard the concus.
sion. Van Vechten rose and pressed
closer to the window, his gaze intent.
ly upon the door across the way.
by Jupiter!" he exclaimed under
his breath. tom, there's scufle 70.
Ing on over there, or I'm an Indian!"
And his surmise was promptly af-
nrmed. The door flew open with a
hnal jerk and brawny man could be
seen standing upon the threshold. He
was SO large that he fairly blocked the
doorway; his back was to the street:
out 1t was plain that he was strug.
CLING with somebody beyond.
save for themselves, the room was
now once more deserted (since the
passage of the luncheon hour) and
there was nobody else to witness the
abrupt termination of the affair.
Suddenly the man drew back his
right arm and struck a mighty blow
straight from the shoulder.
"Blng!' shouted Tom in gleeful ad.
"Oh, my! Wouldn't I hate
10 get punch like that!"
Whoever did, obviously had no fur.
lher stomach for opposing the trucu.
lent one, for the latter tore loose and
ran down the steps. Van Vechten and
recognized him as the man
VINO had arrived at noon-Number
Twelve, they afterwards called him
associating him with the hour. He was
painting and considerably disheveled.
.hough otherwise he appeared to be
lone the worse for the struggle.
However, there was no mistakinp
he fact that he was exceedingly
Vroth. Once on the walk, he turned
IND shook his clenched fist at the al.
eady closed portal, with a quivering
lexlng OF the arm that signified a pas.
ION seething and surging for adeouate
oppression. Then he apparently real.
zed the futility of upbrading an unre-
ponsive door, for he swung round
no made off at rapid pace.
Quick, Toni" Van Vechten was I'm
nd dragging at his friends arm
Our hats! We must overtake that
hap!" '''
With a speed that amazed Tom Van :
echten led the way to the street The
ian was walking rapidly, and as thew
merged from the club entrance be
as just rounding the corner into Ley.
lgton avenue. The gait of the pur.
iers was almost a run when thew
lrned the same corner, in epite Of
hich they had not gained upon their
larry. They saw him disappear east.
ara into Twenty-third street
HES not acquainted with the neigh.
'rhood," Van vechten ventured.
les making for the Twenty.third
rect L station. Hurry"
but by the time they turned into
"enty'third street a good deal had
opened. A small group of people
ere gathered at an alley mouth mid.
~ IN the block, and others were n
seen running toward the same
int. SAINT
wonder what's doing?" Tom ex.
lined. Van vechten's response was
increased forward pressure on the
Ter arm and repetition of the in.
lction.
Hurry"
! second later they arrived at the
ey' where knot of excited peonle
tlghtly drawn around the obiect
interest. Tom unceremopionslv
ceo mis- bulk through the press, be-
closely followed by Van vooh,
q moment they saw and under.
o. The young man who had &C. -
lCOntinund nm D.