The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-02

bert HIGGINS. who. of course, was his
sons boon companion. admirer. aid and
abettol This young gentleman was a
lean, horse faced senior, whose I'M
broken solcmnity of manner had more
than once ted strangers to mistake
him for a divinity student. though
closer acquaintance proved him wholly
immoral and rattle Drained.
1t was Higgins this evening who.
after tie "cripples" had deserted and
the supper party had dwindled to per-
haps a half dozen, proposed to make
night OF it. beginning with visit to
the Austrian Village The college men
selected table and. shouldering the
occupants aside without ceremony.
seated themselves and pounded for a
waiter.
Padden. til" proprietor, came toward
them, and, after greeting Anthony and
Higgins by Il shake of his left hand.
ducked his round gray head in ac-
acknowledgement of an introduction to
the others.
"Glad you dropped in Mr. Paddcn
assured thea Anything you boys
want and can get let me know"
When he. had zone Higgins averrcd:
There's tue man-peaceful, refined
got a love character too. Let's be
gentlemen w1iIc we're in his place
Rngold rose HIM going to dance,
fellows" he announced and his com
panions followed him, with the cXccp.
ton of the cJdaycrous Higgins, who
maintained tl5 dancing was a pas,
time for the frivolous and weak.
When they returned to their table
they found a stranger was seated with
him, who rose AS Higgins made him
known.
Boys, meet my old friend. Mr. JEFF
ferson Locke Of St Louis. He's all
right
The college men treated this new re-
cruit with a hilarious cordially, t0
which he responded with the air of
one quite accustomed to such reunions
II was at the game this afternoon "
he explained when the greetings were
over, land recognized you chaps when
you came in. I'm football fan my
self. just got into town this morn
ing, and I'm sailing tomorrow.
couldn't catch boat today, so I'm
having a little blowout on my owl
account. When recognized you al
l just butted in. New York Is a lone
some place for stranger. Hope 70,
don't mind my joining you"
mot at ALI" he was assured.
When he came to pay the waiter h,
displayed roll Of yellow backed bill'
that caused Anthony to caution him
/ Locke only laughed There's NOR
where this came from. However, that
one reason I'd like to stick aroun,
with you fellows. have an idea Nv
been followed. and l don't care to b
tapped on the head. II you will lie
me trail along I'll foot the bills. That
fair proposition"
"Oh, come now" Anthony struck il
you're more than welcome to sta
with us if you like. but we can't lie
you put up for it."
The stranger. despite his avowedl
festive spirit, showed certain reserve
When the music again struck up h
declined to dance, preferring to renal
with Higgins in their ineonspicuou
corner.
There's fine fellow" the latter r,
marked. following his best friends fll
ure with his eyes. when he and Lock
J were once more alone. Sweet n,
ture."
Anthony? Yes, he looks it"
J Hes got just two faults, Away
5 say-he's too modest by far and he
) lazy-won't work."
: He doesn't have to work His o.
$ man has plenty of. coin. hasnt he?"
1 "Yes, and he'll keep it too Hear
r less old wretch"
l. The dancers came crowding up
n the table at the moment. and Ringo
+ suggested loudly: I'm hungry. Let
8 eat again"
6 Il just fixed it with Padden for
private room upstairs" Anthony sal
e, "All the cafes are closed now, al
n this is the hist place in town for chic
n en- creole anyhow"
d Accordingly he led the way. and t
b rest filed out after him. But as tn
E. left the ballroom a medium sized m
who had recently entered from t
he street caught a glimpse of them, or;
y ed his neck for a better view, tn
s. idled along behind.
lie Anthony played the part Of b.
he more lavishly. Mr.. Locke, however.
n sisted that his friends should parts
or of a kind Of drink previously unhes
a of and with this in view had a COZ
US Dental chat with the waiter, to VIII
d. he unostentStiously handed a FIVE I
lar retainer.
es The meal was at its noisiest wi
Mt the man whom Locke had so ger
or ously tipped spoke to him quietly.