The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-11
5lS1TIME|
&C. zoo LOCK |
By CHARLES EDM0NDS WALK |
Author of "The Silver Blade"
"The Paternoster Ruby" etc.
copyright 1912 by A. c. McClurg d Coz

81
Copyright 1912 by A. c. McClurg q COZ
said.
Cant you chuck it,"
Chuck it," echoed Mr. Van Vech-
ten, blankly.
Eyes. Postpone for minute or
two whatever you are doing now. It's
too beastly hot to go anywhere"
The Man of Iron simply glared.
What words could affect such sub
timely unconscious cheek? The two
strangers, who knew that they were
not the objects of that look, sat with
bated breath; but Rudolph seemed Sc
renely unaware of it.
Rudolph's request, however, from
his standpoint was not impudent. His
uncle was under more of an obliga-
ton to concern himself about Paige
Carew than he was, for Paige was the
elder mans niece and ward. Young
Van Vechten recognized the fact that
Theodore Van Vechten was man Of
multitudinous affairs; he was willing
to make any reasonable sacrifice to
accommodate him; but when it came
to throwing over all his own plans and
loafng here in the city without def
mite information concerning his cous-
ms intentions, why, he considered he
had right to protest when and where
he chose. If he only knew upon what
boat she intended sailing, it would
be an easy matter to run down to
town for a day, meet her and Mrs.
Devereaux and carry the two away
with him. It was the uncertainty that
rendered him vexed and impatient.
Gradually Mr.. Van Vechten's brain
bridged the wide gap between matters
commercial and those Immediately af-
fecting his own household, and he rec
ognized the justice of his nephew's
attitude. The thin, inflexible lips even
Swallowed a smile at the temerity that
had exacted his attention. One Of
these men who sat humbly waiting
here was no less parsonage than the
president of the Continental Union
Banking and Trust Company; the
other was head of the Atlas Safe
Company, a concern tributary to and
allied with Consolidated Metals, and
which had Of late monopolized Theo-
dore Van Vechten's fostering care. In
the world of finance and commerce
theirs were names to conjure with:
here they were merely lieutenants
awaiting their captains pleasure.
"Wslli' Mr.. VA Vsohtea 1t last
beoke the silence.
Rudolph was brief and to the point.
Last Saturday ended the third
week since Paige and Josephine left
, Paris for London. In . letter mailed
just before starting, Paige Informed
me that she expected to remain in
England tive or three wesks-three
at tho longest-and mentioned . mum
Der of friends she proposed visiting
Some know, and some cont. Since
then l have had no word from her:
have you?"
Mr.. Van Vechten pressed button
'. 1t might have controlled the door In
stead Of the clerk, so promptly did
the latter appear. To him he said:
Have Tmmons get out the latest
Devereaux letters, and show them tc
Mr.. Van Vechten when he comes out.
And turning to the young man again
81 suppose it will be impossible fol
me to knock off to meet them. Ant
this uncertainty about sailing date
Is disarranging your plans-h'm,
see. If you could cable"
ITO what address? How would /
look to send cables to all our London
I acquaintance, asking if they know
where Paige is? The newspapers
! would be sure to get hold of it. She
and Josephine are the ones who
should be cabling-or at the Yer!
1 least, send card
! "Well" decided the older man
1 look at JOS last letters; if they
4 don't contain something definite, e
1 wherever it is you want to-iust 81
n |
I way, you received notice of a direc
\ tors meeting next Saturday night, tn,
I ninth?"
: Did l? A good many things CONF
{ in the mail that Barnicle doesn't lie
me see"
IF Barnicle is faithful to your in
I terests," commented the Man of Iron
| grimly, "he had better not hold u
anything like that. The notice wa
mailed to you with the others. pal
ticularly desire that you be present.
III Van Vechten eyed his uncle cur
ously.
iii Saturday night" he repeated q
length. "My unfamiliarity with bus
ii