The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-06

CI6dIeu OUJSCiy Hd5 lhO IuA W - $500
little lips What warm, chubby
sturdy body was this that lay In his
arms and against his breast!
The perspiration Of summer sleep
began to bead out upon the child
forehead, and moving as gently as II
he feared even a breath might disturb
the harmony Of this exquisite picture,
the man drew his handkerchief from
his pocket and gently wiped away
the moisture.
The moment was a revelation TO
this man who had fought all his life.
Really, there seemed, after all, some
thing in the world besides business
and competitors, besides money and
stocks and bonds, besides the struggle
for place and fame and riches. He
was a man who, having attained his
pinnacle, could look back upon the
course over which he had come and
view now, with trace of compassion,
some Of the rounds Of the ladder that
he had broken in his ascent. These
things had never bothered him much,
but just now they required to him
and made him feel just little bit as
if he were almost unworthy to be the
bearer of this beautiful little burden
that seemed suddenly a holy and a
sacred thing.
A sharp, clicking sound broke In
upon his reverie, and then a rapid
chugging He looked around. His
chauffeur had succeeded at last in fix
ing his automobile, and there it stood,
Whirring and trembling, eager to dash
away. He arose and walked over to
the machine The dog had been
asleep, but only in that light slumber
that is permitted to those weighted
with the sense of duty.
"Huh," said the man to his chauf-
feur. Il seem to have picked up a
responsibility here, Williams. I'll be
hanged if I know what to do with it,
Tell you what you do, Williams"
he suggested. You just drive very
slowly around the streets bordering
the park. have no doubt that If this
baby is lost and belongs in the neigh
borhood, we shall find some one, If not
several people, out looking for him"
Very we'll, sir" replied Williams.
Shall | lay it on the back seat?'
Not" replied the man decisively.
4 shall hold HIM"
For nearly the full hour they had
chugged about the streets radiating
from the park, when suddenly the big
man saw a former friend-one with
whom he had not been on speaking
terms for nearly a year-come fran
.ically along the sidewalk. The former
friend was peering from right to left
as he strobe on, and nothing escaped
his eye Suddenly he left the side
walk and came running toward the au-
.omobile. He had not seen the man
n 1t nod the chauffeur who drove It,
de had, however, seen Tyke.
Stop" he cried. That's my baby!"
The automobile stopped very
but the big man In 1t never
moved, except to fold Tyke a little
more closely in his arms by way Of
! reluctant goodby
Hello, Smith" he calmly called.
Mr.. Smith looked up at the sound
If the vc'se and recognized the big
nan.
F., OH" he said In amazement, and |
or an instant the two looked at each |
,ther as men do who have cause each |
o wonder what Is in the mind Of the |
'ther. Both were reluctant to break
he ensuing embarrassed silence. The |
zig man, as became him, was the first
0 give In. He was the "soulless cor.
practically. !
By George, Smith don't envy you
our last hour or so" he said in the
one of old Il was fortunate enough
0 pick up your little one in the park
md have been driving around the
Ieighboring streets for the past hour,
uniting for the center of the fuss that
knew must exist somewhere. Jump
n and I'll run you both home"
Very kind of you, Davidson, am
ure," replied Mr.. Smith Il live only
few blocks from here, but since the
10Y is asleep | shall take advantage of
our offer with pleasure"
Mr.. Davidson, considering the com.
ort, OF Tyke, made no move to open
he door OF the tonneau. Mr. Smith
pened 1t himself and clambered in.
IT. Davidson moved over carefully to
i've him room, but he made no start
oward relieving himself of his burden,
The machine turned to a side street
t the direction Of Mr.. Smith. who
hen turned his attention to Robert
Valsingham. The paternal arms had
peculiar ache in them, but he stood
as long as he could-for the space
possibly two or three blocks-and
1en he suddenly held out his arms
18th gesture SO imperative that Mr.
davidson drew long breath. He
as compelled to recognize Mr.
mith's rights in the case. SLOWLY
gently, he laid Robert
Falsingham Smith In hi. sa4h,