The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-01


Il took great care to bring you
straight to my den"
For heavens sake. Betty. why this
/ suspense? Let the ak fall. Have you
discovered that you don't care for me.
after all?"
NO. Billy. love you better than
anything else in this world"
That settles it," said Billy, slipping
the circle Of big diamonds on her
finger. Neither man nor devil can
take you away from me now"
Betty looked down at the auburn
head bent over her hand. Don't, Bill.
ly!" she cried sharply. Don't make
love to me. II you do. never can give
you up. and father says"
"So--your father objects"
Only on principle, Billy"
She took the ring from his finger
and handed It to him solemniy.
! He says that am keeping you
from getting good business start.
that you have no head for figures"
I'm other words he thinks I'm no
man. just plain boob
No. he believes that you are clev.
er. but he says YOU never take any
thing seriously, that YOU arc only In
love with me temporarily. You won't
want mo after YOU get me" sighed
! Betty.
Billy looked nj her, and his pulse
1 ihrobhod rs he caught her and held
I her close TO him. II am going to
show father thing or two" he
| said. Hearing footsteps. he released
her
A man supported himself, swaying
by the curtains in the doorway.
Il beg pardon" he said thickly.
Didn't mean to disturb you and tho
lady. II was just looking about
you know"
AS he spoke, Billy covered him with
the little pistol he had taken from
the table drawer.
Up with your hands! Quick about
IT,"
The strangers expression changed
perceptibly.
i've had a little too much. That's
all. Don't make row. I'll 60
now"
Not with the property Of my
mothers guests in your pockets. Your
drunken russo does not work with me.
Betty, please touch that bell by tho
window"
When the servants had answered
the summons, and the thief lay bound
on the floor, Billy proceeded to search
him.
There's fathers watch" screamed
Betty THE one grandfather gave
him. And mothers horseshoe OF dia-
monds. What bold thief"
The police made quiet entrance
to take their prisoner. Billy and Bet
~ went downstairs to return the
spoils. Everybody was busy playing
bridge Not one OF them had discover
ed any loss
What time have you, daddy dear?"
asked Betty stopping by her fathers
chair.
There was CONSERVATION on his face
when he felt In an empty pocket.
Why. IL" he floundered miser-
ably, not caring to announce q loss In
his friends house.
Billy held up his valuable old watch.
How many OF you have lost jewelry
tonight He opened a box full OF
pins. trinkets and string OF pearls
worth kings ransom.
Ny pearls" shrieked Mrs. Stanley
Weyland
MY horseshoe PIN" cried Betty's
mother.
MY emerald bracelet" moaned Kit
ty Melears. ITS the one you gave me,
Dick"
Quiet" ordered Billy. Il have
everything. There's the thief
He pointed to the stairway where
two policemen could be seen leading
away their prisoner.
How did this happen, young man,
Petty father was perturbed. lie was
annoyed that any man could take his
watch without his knowledge. He had
rrided himself all his life on his abil-
fly TO read character. The fellow
did not look like thief"
People, like things. are not always
what they appear" suggested Billy
meaningly. Il may not look like
business man myself but am going to
make you look to your laurels In that
suit tomorrow. And /
| suppose might as veil tell you since !
you'll have to kro'g Il anyway. l am
going 10 marry = ="
Upon my s. =. .ol astonisi me,
sir"
"liy dear E @'epered Betty's
father to te-, i Billy what
sid a5out n.h. g.. ford to have
IN Tor an e1c,gy. lvll him that |
=. II be proud to welcome him into my
sa.liiy. Toll him anything you Like
- les the Young scoun9rel who Is
Int 70 beat ne out of that ifty thou
sald in tho Snyder-Mynatt case.
= ont put I'D with it. lie ought to
! ave business for us older lawyers
aid have good time He's too young
. take life seriously yet"