The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-08-25


Arkley made no comment lmme>ii-
ately For while they smoN, d il
silence; and then Arkley avoided the
subject for while 1t was suNilivn.
Tor him that Welton was content TO
remain as he found himself.
knock at the door was answered
with a CHEEKY invitation to enter. Mrs.
Arkley opened the door far enough to
apologize for the disturbance.
Mr. Masterson has just called" she
explained. lie brought those papers
on the Brooks property and some
money He is sorry he didn't get it
to you before banking hours; and he
would rather not keep it in his own
mouse DO you want to speak to him?"
"Ahem. Tell him, all right" Ark.
ley begged his wife in bland tones.
On the whole he would rather not
nave had the money in the house un-
der the circumstances II was not
That he exactly doubted the honesty
OF Welton, he simply felt a sort of an
ability to get superstitious about the
rolncIdence OF course. he couldn't
Go such an obvious thing as to send
'hc money out OF the house. with Wei
ton to oyrrhcar He thought Of going
out, eNcusns himself to Welton, and
asking Masterson to take it elsewhere
Tut all he did, after all. was to ask
Mrs. Arkley to take care of the money
After a little more talking. and
suggestion finally from Arkley that it
were better to postpone further con
slderation until the morning, Welton
was shown to his room. He had ac-
cepted an invitation for the night
while at dinner
Arkley chidcd himself mentally for
the anxiety that took possession of
MN after separating from Welton. He
honestly believed in the man, but the
chain of condolences held him the
captive of worry. Masterson had new
or been afraid to keep money over
night before
Arkloy did not dare tell his wife
what kept him wakeful If she had
but the inkling of an idea that an ex.
convict was in the house -Arkley
didn't know Just what she would do
SO he kept the matter to himself
He was obliged to make a pretense
OF sleeping to keep the good lady from
suspectlng something unusual, but he
lay awake long WHILE wondering and
at times listening 1t was only what
might have been expected, however,
that after very wearing day he fell
asleep In spite of his fears.
With his nerves on the alert he
reused quickly in the middle OF the
night lis wife slept on peacefully
| as he opened his eyes and saw, out
lined against the dim light Of the
moon penetrating the shutters, a big
figure stcalthily rummaging the bu-
rrau drawers.
1t had not been Arkley's practise to
sleep with revolver under his pill
low, and, out of regard for his wife,
| he had not that night deviatcd from
his rule So he could only lie still for
a moment, bordering the wisest meth
cd of dealing with the situation
When he had made up his mind to
! spring from bed and trust to good for
tune in frightening away the intruder,
he was surprised by the gentle open
/ ing Of the room door The newcomer
did not make sound He was fully
| within the room before the rummagng
rascal suspected,
In spite of the mask, Arkley had no
trouble in recognizing the second per
! son as Welton He had supposed till
then that of course the first was his
Inflated guest
Stimulating sleep he watched The
first intruder turned slowly about, and
looked into the barrel of revolver
Neither spoke nor made sound;
but Wrlton with his thumb pointed
over his shoulder, invited the first
burglar to withdraw
Arklcy waited until he thought he
heard a door close downstairs. Then
he quietly got up, half dressed himself
prepared to explain, If Mrs, Arkley
should awake, that he was going down
stairs for a drink
Aiming himself he stopped at Wei
tons door. The ex.conyict came quick
~ and quietly to open, He was fully
dressed
Did you hear any unusual noises"
Arkley quericd inn0cently.
Welton nodded
MY partner has been here" he eX-
planned Il was expecting him lie
evidently traced the money Masterson
had turned over You can 90 to sleep
| IN watch the rest Of the night
Arklcy felt the anxious tension re-
lax as he climbed into bed again. AS
sleep came -ub'ly seeking a victim, he
muttcrcd to himself:
"TU never BE- able to look that bur
pl:r IN the face after making his part
ner turn traitor