The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-15

the letters and Margaret with the
KISS, and Bob arranged that those OF
us who wanted to see the fun should
watch from the windows of the bill.
hard room, which would be sure to be
empty, because the tables were being
repaired
Some OF the fellows wouldn't stand
Tor 1t, and we agreed that it was best
70 keep the joke to ourselves, because
some people don't like fun Of that
sort, however harmless it may be. So
and jim Allen, Ferdie Saunders,
Tom Haynes and another whose name
! don't recall just now took our
posts in the billiard room at four in
the afternoon and watched the gar.
den.
Ihere was grape arbor just at the
side adjoining the place where Bob
and Margaret were to meet, md at
first We had thought of hiding in
there. But Bob was afraid our mirth
would be heard and he would get
into trouble, and, as we found that
we had perfect view from the win.
doWs, we were very we'll satisfied. It
was as good as play.
Margaret was the first of the actors
10 arrive. and we saw her pacing IN
ard down the garden in an agitated
sert OF Way. OF course she didn't
dro9m that we we're watching her.
and she kept locking up and down in
the nost comical manner until Rob
pat III his appearance five minutes
late, He apolosized for it, but we
knew that II was all done for effect.
He had the letters in his hand and
he gcye them to her.
You see. ! trust YOU. Margaret"
he said. and he thrust his head up 80
that he could wink at us. Margaret
was much too agitated to see what he
was doing. She kept looking right
and left as though she were afraid,
and at last, when she had to deliver
the goods, she 10, 'led into the grape
arbor instead and--Iohn came out.
1t was a regular plant. You know.
you never can trust woman; theyre
SO tricky. She had told John and
we supposed, spurred the poor crea
ture into some sort of manhood We
had some difficulty in holding our
laughter, for we wanted to see Bob
wipe the ground with John without
being detected and spelling the game.
Jim Allen had raised the window
ever SO softly, so that we could hear
everything that was said.
Fob stood smiling at John in o
foolish sort Of way, and when John
spoke, his voice had a rasp in it that
positively made me jump.
You dirty blackgGard,' he said
peel off your coat and look alive. I'm
going to thrash you"
thought that Bob looked scared
but he knew he had an audience and
had to keep up his nerve.
What for, Beverly" he asked
Hang 1t, can't your wife have any
friends at all without your getting
mad about it,"
I'm going to make it worse fol
you for that" said John. "And If you
ever dare to mention Mrs. Beverley
again I'll give you what's coming tc
you all over again. Are you going tc
strip"
you bet am" yelled Bob, and
whipped off his coat and, running al
John, suddenly ducked and hit him 9
f1endish blow just under the belt II
wasn't sport, but it was funny to see
John double up suddenly
We thought that he was done for
but all at once he seemed to straight
IN and came back at Bob with q
hump on the nose which started the
blood. And after that Bob didn't
seem to have show. John BACKED
his right eye and then his left, he
appel his nose again, split his lips
'pen, and then he began to admins
er the most awful scientific pummel
ng that | ever heard of. And every
ime Bob went down John jerked him ,
o his feet again and administered
ONE more.
Bob was sight when John got
through with him. He was coated ,
With blood and filth, and he was yell.
ng murder" SO loud that all the
waters had come up and stood round
the game.
John picked Bob up for the last /
ime.
Here's what you came for" he
aid, in the same even tone that lie .
I'D always used. save for the rasp.
nd he took Bob by the throat and
Used him,
Then he knocked him down again
Dr. good measure, and then he put on
is coat There wasn't a mark on
i'm. He gave his arm to Margaret,
nd as they walked off together no.
ced that she seemed to cling to him ]
sort of manner that hadn't seen :
er do before.
AS ] said, you never know what a
oman will do, She had laid that
APP for poor old Bob, and bet she
as the most surprised woman In the I
orld to see the pummelling John {
Ave him /
No. Margaret has cut our set now
III goes in for the highbrows. She's
al fond of John. It seema q shama