The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-29

through the ticket window. l sup
pose I can get up?'
"Of course"
Anderson arose. Good morning,
madam" he greeted cheerily. You're
about early"
Yes, but could do no other Oh,
it's a terrible business, Mr.. Anderson
Il think that's what they said your
name is, up at the Laurels?"
Anderson confirmed 1t.
The Laurels was broken into about
an hour ago. My room was the only
one that yielded anything worth while.
The thief got all | had in the world. :
The old voice trembled little, but
did not break.
Nearly three thousand dollars" she
went on. MY sons in the jewelry
business in New York and he sent it
to me last week in cash. He wrote
me to have good time for few
weeks, and then invest the rest In a
cottage or something that would bring
me in a little for the rest of my life.
That's why | came to Middlesville for
holiday.
But I'm wandering from my bust
ness. said | was coming to the depot
to ask If you had seen strange man
around, but of course know he would
keep out of sight. That was only an
excuse. I'm running away, really"
Anderson smiled There was some
thing distressingly brave about the old
lady's half cheerful, half heart-broken
tones.
Running away" he asked Why
are you running away? You didn't
rob yourself, did your" He smiled
afresh at his own feeble humor.
No, but I'm going to rob the Lau-
rels," said the surprising old lady.
You see | haven't cent left to pay
them with, and | can't face them, so
I'm going to run away to my son In
New York and he'll send them the
money. He's jeweler. Here's pic
ture Of his store. See the sign,
Thompson, Jeweler. Do you think
you could give me credit for ticket,
Mr.. Anderson, until my son sends you
the money? I'm sure you can trust
me-"
Andersons face seemed to harden.
The old lady shrank as the slow
change crept like mask over the
features. He gripped the counter as
II he would have crushed it to finder
He smiled, CHASTITY, strained contor-
ton. He laughed and his strained
nerves ceased themselves.
i wouldn't run away if were you,
Mrs. Thompson" he said soothingly.
i can do better than that for you"
He walked toward the safe, talking
as he went to shut out the horror of
the crash and singing agony that sang
Its message in his expectant brain
If he could only get the safe open be-
fore the man made up his mind to
shoot! Would the thunder never
come! He was twirling the combina-
ton! He was still alive In another
fraction of second he would be dead
but
The safe swung open He had
talked, and felt, and worked, and de-
scended into hell in 80 bursting sec
onds.
A man In overalls, an honest-look.
Ing fellow" he was saying with seem
Ing cool Righteousness, though fear al.
most stilled the beating OF his heart,
came in and asked me to take care
Of this, which he said he had found In
.Ae road. Peculiar how things hap
pen. isn't 1t? suppose this must be
your cash box. There's two thousand
nine hundred dollars in it. That's all
right, now. Don't cry, No, my safe
isn't a good one. You'd better take
the money right home. Good-by."
The old lady put a wlthered hand
through the ticket window and laid il
on Anderson's icy cold one, too over
wrought to notice its iciness.
God bless you" she WHISPERED
with difficult articulation. God bless
you" And she went out.
There was movement behind the
screen. Anderson turned to comfort
the burglar. His pistol was still In
his hand.
Amt you fool to risk your life
like that for an old woman?" he
asked curiously.
i didn't care hang for your gun
compared to her." said Anderson bel.
ligerenuy. I've got mother myself"
so have l." said the big fellow
She just went out of that door"
The New York train sounded in
the distance. Anderson stared dumblv
at the others outstretched hand
I'm going to leave the iewelry bust.
ness, old man. said Thompson grave.
ly as he went to the train.