The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-28

ished them. The following morning
as he left the house. Hector saw the
young lady at her gate patting Tige
affectionately with one hand and WHIP
ing the tears from her eyes with the
other. probably lamenting the absence
of her own especial pet.
Miss Wentworth came into view
Just then. She spoke sharply to her
niece, gave Hector a devastating
glance and marched back into the
house slamming the door after her
Then the same afternoon Hector
met Miss Barrett as he came home
from the Office. She smiled In
friendly neighborly way and he paused
to address her by name.
Then you know who we are?" spoke
the little miss archly. Have your
folks set the ban upon you as Aunt
Narcissa has upon us?"
"The-ban?" repeated Hector. flush
ing consciously, for he knew exactly
what the young lady meant
Yes. that poor dear dog Of yours.
And she has sent away my pet. too"
and Elida looked as though on the
verge Of tears.
They met more than once, but never
under the eyes Of Miss Narcissa. Then
came the climax that Strengthened
out everything and reformed the
prejudiced spinster,
Tige had uproOted some sprouts In
the garden next door in a wild dash
one morning, and had been put in
durance vile in the old woodshed.
The same evening about nine
o'clock the Pages, seated on their
porch, were startled by the echoes Of
a ringing scream Other excited
voices joined in. Then there was a
shot. Hector ran around to the side
Of the house.
The spinster and her little family
were in vivid action. The two Bar
rett boys were in advance. One Of
them held still smoking pistol.
Both were looking all about as though
in search of somebody. Pretty Elida,
pale and distracted, was supporting
her aunt little distance away. Miss
Wentworth was wringing her hands
and shrieking Historically.
(Which way did he go-the burglar.
the bold wicked thief" she cried out.
"He climbed in at the upper window,
| saw him, and he has taken my dia-
monds-the family diamonds"
Did you see him." inquired Hector,
unceremoniously and boldly running
up to the fence and hailing the young
men. All of enmity and propriety
alike were momentarily removed.
/ HE lodged in near those bushes.
explained Ned Barrett, breathlessly in
dicating hedge that formed the rear
part of the dividing line fence. Then
we lost sight of him."
"He must have come through into
our yard and escaped that way" the
orized Hector What is the matter
with Tige, wonder?"
For the animal had broken out sud
denly into fearful racket of groWl'
ings and bustling sounds. Hector ran
for the sashless window at the side
of the she'd Just then however the
door was burst open from the inside
Out flew the burglar who had
climbed through the window to hide
After him. springing upon him, pulling
him down was staunch faithful Tige
In a moment Hector was at the side
of the discounted criminal.
Your family diamonds" he said
courteously to Miss Wentworth, as the
burglar was being led to jail. Il found
them on the culprit, only-Tige dc
serves all the credit"
Miss Wentworth had a serious
thinking spell that night. She was all
smiles and gratitude towards the
Pages next day. Then she ordered
back the banished pets. She even
patted Tige, and she beamed indul
gently upon Hector when he came
over to sit on the porch with pretty
happy Elida.
Copyright. 1914. by w. G. Chapman.)