The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-13

the carelessness Of the firm. He Of
fered me a triae to settle, which re-
fused. l brought my suit for $1O,eoo'
1t is now pending. One evening ne
came to my room here with a new
offer. l laughed at It Robert Bur
ton heard him. In trial his evidence
might help me. A week later Robert
disappeared"
And you have not heard from him
SINGER" asked Eva an1iously.
only once-a mere line from dis
tant city.
"What-what did it say?" pressed
Eva eagerly.
only these words. Stick TO the
ship"
And that is ALT" murmured Eva
vaguely.
mo, l must tell you the worst.
positively know that Mr.. Lane went
west for his health, young Burton
went with him as an attendant. Can't
you see how it is-the boy so loved
has gone over to the enemy! They
have bribed him to remain out OF the
field as witness in my behalf
Il can't understand it at ALL sigh
ed Eva. HE was so grateful to you,
he was so kind to everybody"
Three evenings later Eva met Abel
at the door of the parlor. She drew
him within the room. Her eyes were
red with weeping, her face colorless
and traversed with anguish.
Read" she said sadly, and handed
a newspaper to Abel, pointing to an
item on one of its pages.
According to that, William Lane
and Robert Burton, travelling in the far
west, had started to cross an arid des-
ert stretch and had not been seen
since. They were supposed to have
miserably persisted in a sudden sand
storm that had come up.
Poor, misguided boy!" sobbed Abel.
If he had only been true to mel"
And in his grief he spoke tender for
giving words that showed that his
heart was not hardened. And Eva
mingled her tears with his, and Abel
knew that this fair young girl had
loved Robert Burton.
The blow Frustrated Abel. He was
not equal to going to work the next
day. Eva that evening fastened up
to his room with some dainties for the
invalid. The tray nearly fell from her
hand as entering the apartment she
saw-Robert Burton!
Abel was seated in an easy chair,
wreathed in smiles. Never had Eva
seen him look so bright and happy.
Robert, bronzed, brisk, sturdy, inter-
rupted the embarrassed visitor as she
tried to retreat.
What! going without shaking
hands with me?' rallied Robert. you,
who have been comforter and sup
port to my dear old friend, Mr.. OAR
row." He relieved her of the tray.
He held her hands till they trembled
and her cheeks were q lovely carna-
ton pink. Il have come back to give
my old benefactor new life and hope,
and to say to you-listen, dear, l
should have said it the day left you
l love you"
She stood swaying, overcome, but
happy. She dared not look up for fear
the glowing Joy Of that exquisite mo-
ment might depart.
Il have brought to our friend doc.
ument that will win him his CASE"
explained Robert. II lured William
Lane into the desert purposeiy. Lost,
in deadly peril, vowed We would die
together, but he should right q great
wrong. forced him to a written con-
fession which he dare not gainsay,
and-'stick to the Ship old friend, for
you are bound for a sure, safe port"
with wedding at the end of it,"
cried Abel barrow enthusiastic
my boy, It was-my girl too, now!"
And the bliss of old Abel barrow
was complete.
Copyright. 1914. by W. G. chapman.)