The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-19


He put his hand ON her arm. "Minna
don't you know mef" he asked.
"Hushi" she answered swiftly.
THAT u my husband. Don't let him
go you talking to me-"
"Aw, say!" burst ont Emmett i'm
petuously. that Int man isn't your
husband. I'm your husband. Who 10
millionaire or duke?"
II can't see you now" whispered
Minna In agitation.
when. them" he asked DULY.
Sunday afternoon" She gave him
her address quickly. Then she went
on. And Emmett, though he was
scowling. had to remain content.
The memory of her. the reflection
that he had lost her through his own
GROWING folly, burned in his brain.
But he meant to win her again-this
divine woman who had given herself
to him, whose life he had wrecked.
How easy it would be. he thought. to
feign repentance. to tell her he had
sought her. His mind was busy
during the next three days.
Minna had not said q word to "Pop."
Why? Well, I think there IL an in
stinct in the best women to want to
test their husbands. mean that all
the advantages Of the union. In this
case. we're on Kupfels side. Minna
had money, beauty. youth. and health.
and he was only bald and fat old
Dutchman who had once been kind to
her when she was in distress. He
had picked her up out Of the gutter.
And he was her HUSBAND. There was
something to balance against what
she contributed to the marriage, but
It was not SO much. Perhaps Minna
wanted to show her husband what she
had given up for him. And perhaps
she wanted to see how the two men
would act. But am sure she had no
intention of being false to Pop"
Minna frequently had guests on
Sunday afternoons, and Pop" who
shone mainly in more cornwall SO.
ciety, always retired on such occa-
sions to the kitchen. where, with his
pipe and a bottle Of beer, he would
sit in his shirtsleeves, his feet upon
the table, reading "F1iegende Blaet-
ter" and laughing as heartily over the
jokes as though he had never heard
a joke before. On this occasion he
withdrew as soon as the visitor was
announced. Minna had taken care
that he should not hear the name
and she had left the connecting door
open.
Emmett came in and took a chair
beside her.
well, Minna," he said. Il never
thought to meet you like this, after
our parting. Minna. want to tell
you how hard tried to find you again
l have been madly in love with you
ever SINCE"
Minna heard that the rustling Of the
newspaper had stopped. She wondered
what Pop" was going to do. He must
have heard. You see, she had never
wholly understood Pop"
"Who is that fat fellow you've taken
up WITH" asked Emmett. "Shucks,
thought you had better sense, Minna
Well, I suppose you'll shake him and
resume the old partnership with me
won't your"
There was a noise of heavy pacing
boots in the kitchen, but Emmett evi
IDENTIFY thought they we're in another
apartment. for he paid no attention
He put his arm round the dancer.
I'm going to take you back, Min
ma" he said. And this time it's go
ing to last longer" he added.
Pop! Pop!" called Minna. Bring
Wilhelm in here to show him to Mr.
Emmett, will your"
Pop" Kupfel came out Of the kitch
en- and into the parlor. He was in hi
shirtsleeves, and in his arms he car
ried a red-faced duplicate Of himself
about q year old. and he stood q
Minna's side like fat old soldier.
This is my son. Mr.. Emmett" sal,
Minna. And this Is my husband
You see, now. there are important rea
sons why should not resume the oil
partnership as you phrased It, Will
you. aren't there?"
! Emmett rose up and his face grev
purple. And that was the critical me
ment. Perhaps Minna, good woman
though she was, had at times foun,
Pop" . little trying and thought n
gretfully Of how much better sh
could have done II she had not maj
ried him. II Pop" had lost his dia
nifty. now. he would In q way hav
been found wanting.
But, as Emmett stood there, scow
ing and sneering. and breathing heav
lily, Pop" put down the baby an
waddled solemnly up to him.
I'm sorry my wiN can't 60 mid 20
to live" he said thickly. Won't 70
dake Elm glass beer before you 60, MI
Emmett?"
Emmett's hand was on the dool
what do you mean?" he stammeret
II want to talk mid you." answere
Pop" II want to find oud Wy Go
made a mans like you. You must b
good for Something's or He wouldn't hs
done It,"
I think that was the finest tribut
: any man could have paid hia wifi