The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-09

you will have to prove more thaa
you tell before you make me believe
that Mr.. Ditson is anything but true,
honorable gentleman" said Minna,
stubbornly.
"All right. Wait a day or two and
sect" Wanted Harold.
Minna tried to be steadfast in her
faith in young Ditson. but the intelli-
gence she had received made her I'M
easy. Perhaps there was some dark
plot against Ditson, she reflected.
Her brother and his chum, she felt
assured, we're equal to that. She
wrote a brief note to Rolfe. addressed
to his hotel in the next town, warn
ing him that enemies were seeking to
| get him into trouble.
Rolfe did not get the note for he
was away-with the smugglers, in
truth and verify! II Minna could
have seen him the next evening
shortly after dark at cave on the
lake that was headquarters for the
smugglers, she would have shuddered.
He seemed to be one Of the grizzled
rough looking crew who were await
ing the arrival of skiff carrying
contraband goods from the Canadian
shore.
Role sat on an upturned key just
within the cave. when he was in
tensely startled. One Of the band
came into view. forcing before him
prisoner.
Il found him spying on us" the
smuggler explained In his pocket l
found note showing that he has put
the revenue officers on to our den
: here
Settle him." hoarsely commanded
the leader of the crowd. Here, you"
to the captor and to Rolfe-"take
him over beyond the rocks yonder and
settle him."
Her brother." breathed Rolfe, as
he recognized Harold Graves.
Harold was the worse for severe
!. struggle and did not notice Rolfe, who
with his captor started to obey the or
I ders of the smuggler chief.
"This will do" said Rolfe's Snug
gler companion. as they got out o.
9 sight of the cave. Join in, mate ant
) help finish him." and he drew hi
, revolver.
q Run for your life!" whispered
q Rolfe quickly in the ear Of the startled
= Harold Graves.
In that flashing second the latte
recognized Rolfe. He uttered CT,
Of profound amazement, but was Quicl
to avail himself of the offered OF
portunity for escape.
He saw Rolfe strike the levele
> weapon from the hand Of the smu(
, gler. He saw the latter grapple wit
Rolfe. There we're loud cries fo
help, and Rolfe. denounced as
traitor to the band. was borne b
Y some of it's members back to the cav
& 1t was an excited, pitiful story thu
. Harold told to his sister when h
reached home Even to his crud
iaind the indication was irresistib
that Rolfe could not be one Of tt
4 smuggers in reality, and oppose the
ccunscls at the forfeit of his life.
He saved me, that's all know, ar
- I'm sorry for him." said the subdue
= Harold.
"And your work has brought hi
to his DOOM" sobbed his sister, b
terly
Then came news that the reven'
officers whom Harold had led to II
den of the smugglers, but had g
separated from, had made an o
led slaught in time to save Rolfe fro
the vengeance Of the band. All hi
been captured.
nd With great cry, the next mornil
Minna sprang from the porch to gre
'es a brisk, smiling visitor. Rolfe Ditso
Is Soon he explained to her the compile
lie situation.
vs., II was employed as governme
ore agent to get at the inside affairs
ars the smugglers." Rolfe told MINI
I'll 1.-THE action of the revenue office
ust has finished my work. I have col
to say good-by, for must return
in Washington"
ing "But-you will come back, Sol
len. timer" faltered Minna.
AM rs that your wish?" asked Rol
She quickly.
en- Her two trembling hands, resting
cry his own, made answer. and VIII
the Rolfe Ditson left her. Minna GRAY
hat was his promised wife.
hat copyright, 1914. by W. q. Chapman