The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-04
BILlyvALADoN's SPECIAL
BY c. HAUSSMAN.

a couple of days and we can all go
east together"
Mabel Brockman laughed You're
twenty.nine, aren't you. Billy" she
asked irrelevantly.
In February" assented Valadon,
And you have to wait until your
papa sends you money? | don't think
you even call him father do you?'
Valadon looked hurt. you are al
ways at me to go to work., ne
frowned. II don't see why should
have to with the governor so disgust
ingly rich"
How much money have you? she
asked Somehow her conversation
this morning on the Coronado Beach
was most uncertain.
Enough to pay my bills and get up
to San Francisco
Then you will have to wait until
some one sends you the money to get
home on. don't think you are worth
waiting for, Billy"
Two days later Valadon stood on the
wharf at Oakland Miss Brockman
stood by the sleeper In which she and
her mother were to make the trip
east.
81 may see you sooner than you ex-
pect," he said with smile.
Having money telegraphed to you?"
she asked.
NO" he answered shortly. II have
an idea that perhaps l can come east
In accordance with your approved
methods I'm going to try 1t. any
how"
III you do, BILL" said the girl soft
Ily, as she mounted the steps.
IF do, what"
Mabel shook her head over the port
ers shoulder as the train pulled out.
valadon took the boat back to the
city, but instead of returning to the
hotel he went to the Barbary Coast.
In one of the dives sat party of men,
rough, uncouth and with most evil
dent smell of the stable about them.
Billy went up to their leader.
I'm ready now" he said
"Stow the glad rags" commanded
the other, land come back here in half
an hour. We don't want silk hats
around"
Before the end of the half hour the
silk hat and frock coat had been meta
morphosed into a cloth cap and pea
jacket, and Billy was five dollars
richer.
The leader marshaled the gang and
an hour later Billy was back in Oak
land, but this time in the freight
yards.
On the track before him was a
train of ~ yellow cars, at the head of
which painted huge engine. Billy
climbed into the third car. There was
much hoarse shouting, blast from
the whistle and a jolt as the train
pulled out, and the first section Of
the horse special was under way
Billy's fellow passengers in the cal
were another hostler and 12 thorough
breds being hurried east to the big
winter SALE
Five days later a tired and dirty
but exceedingly cheerful, young man
drove up to the door Of the Valadon
residence on Fifth avenue just as the
head of that house was sitting down
to his breakfast. It required an argu
ment with new footman to convince
him that the caller was not required
to 60 to the side entrance, but at his
voice the elder Valadon came running
into the hall.
BLESS my SOUL" he pulled after
Billy had told his tale in brief. Didn't
you get my check"
Billy thrust a paper into his hand
1T came the day left" he said "but
Ut sort of spoiled the idea and | pre-
tended that | did not get it. Now
want bath and breakfast and then
want to see If cannot 90 down to
the station in time to meet the Brock.
mans"
hours late when it pulled into the
huge arched shed, and Miss Brock
man was in no amiable frame Of mind
as she descended to the platform
There had been delay, and six days
on the train even in a stateroom is moi
pleasant.
For q moment she stared as we'll
groomed young man possessed him
self of her handbag and turned to help
her mother down the steps, and it was
not until they had headed for the fer
ry that she found her voice.
How did you get here SO quickly
she demanded.
II came the northern way" he ex
planned, land had a special
Miss Brockman turned away to hide
her disappointment Il might have
known you would do something like
that she said coldly. q suppose tina,
you wired for money"
There was a check at the hote
when | got to San Francisco" he ex
planned wickedly. Il had 1t In m,
pocket when | said 'good-by' to you il
Oakland. thought you would like
surprise"
ut was not surprise; it was tn,
expected" she corrected. Il ha,
hoped my sermon had sunk in