The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-14

was on my way l thought I'd look In
on you. How much have you got put
away! Come. no lies now. know
you folks don't trust no banks here
since the Consolidated bust"
Il haven't = penny" cried the 10.
man desperately.
"Oh. come, Jane" said the man
reprovingly. you was always . good
Land to save. Wish I'd stuck to you"
he added viciously. II don't know 40
l won't take you back yet. But come.
now. make It . hundred and won't
never trouble you again"
"A hundred? You're dreaming!"
Fifty then Fifty down and Afty
to be sent to the postonice At Denver
when get there. Come. now. amt
your homo worth T. Jansi"
II haven't . penny IN the house.
JIM" she said trying to assuage him.
Maybe ! can let you have twenty.
i've tomorrow By holding up the fur.
niture man. You see," she faltered.
Ed won't be home with his weeks
pay till morning"
We'll. II that's all you can let me
have III have to take It," mumbled
the man. But Ill take the rest, or
I'll hound you down, mark my words.
Twenty-Five tomorrow and seventy-five
inside of three months at Denver. 10
it bargain. Jane?"
YES" she said helplessly.
"Wherell meet you? don't want
to show myself in town. That fellow
Jones I told you of. my cell mate
he's back here
do you know the maple trees neas
the first saloon?" she asked. "Well-
there. At nine o'clock tomorrow
night"
The man shook out the burning
ashes Of bis pipe. In the next room
the child. awakened BY the evil stencil
Of the tobacco. awoke and cried
feebly. Instantly the man was alert.
Whats this. Jane!" he asked. .
smile playing maliciously about his
mouth. kid? Yours?"
Yes. mine. Mine and Eds" she
-ried. scringirs to her reet She made
her ny irto adjoining room, took the
babe in her arms. and began rocking
It. The man followed and stood look.
ing at her. still grinning.
"Ho, Jane, ~ou didn't tell me about
the kid he said. as II she had done
sor . injury by concoaling the fact
Of its presence.
mo. Why should I tell you?" she
asked, putting the sleeping child back
into its cradle. why should I let
you share any part of my life?"
The other leered at her. Because.
my dear Jane." he said. 1--WE got
double hold on you now-that's why.
So long as there was only your man
we'll. he mightn't have cared. But
with the kid it's different. guess
it'll be worth more than a hundred to
you now. won't 1t, Jane?"
He had drawn near to the sleeping
infant and now stood over It. Clum.
silly he put forth one grimy hand and
strOked the little arm that lay out.
side the coverlct The woman sprang
at him like a tigress.
Don't you dare to touch him." she
cried. Don't you lay finger on him
or I'll kill YOU"
The man skunk back. "All right
have it your own way, my DEAR" he
said quietly. But now it's going to
cost you just twice as much-see?
Fifty down"
Il haven't fifty. | can only get
twenty-five"
twenty-five" she painted. ''and
never penny more. For twenty-five
I can hire man to kill you. And
I'll do 1t, Jim. sooner than lose my
home"
"All right: suppose it'll have to be
twenty-five" he answered.
She led the way to the door along
the tiny hall, and they stood there
moment, gazing out into the darkness.
For the first time a shade of pity
for this degraded man welled up with
in her. She had loved him in the old
days, and when he had abused and
beaten her she had loved him all the
more until-until that other woman.
She would not think of that
Where are you going to sleep To-
night JIM" she asked quietly.
The man laughed. %, under some
freight cars. l reckon. I'm used to
that sort Of bed. Maybe I'll ind q
heap Of coal"
you promise not to 90 into the
town.
Sure! That's part Of tho bargain.
amt It? I'll keep out Of the way,
don't fear. Which way are the
cars?"
The cars are over yonder, ct the |
back Of the factory" she said more |
mildly. Il guess you know the way. |
It's no longer than through the VII.
lage-and you can take care Of your
self In the dark. I reckon"
Il reckon SO. Jane" he answered. |
Good night. my lass" He pressed his |
hat down on his head and started out
along the road. In q moment the