The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-01

previous. He had awakened in bed 70
observe a man disappearing through
the window and down the fire escape
with his pocket book containing two
hundred dollarA
why, there ia the thief" he shout.
ed suddenly. pointing straight at Rob-
eft.
You are mad" exclaimed the hotel
owner.
Il would recognize him among q
thousand" declared the stranger.
There was q great hubbub. Even
the officers of the law scoffed at the
accusation of the robbed man. Then
investigation brought out a new cir.
cumstance. The door connecting the
room Of Robert and that occupied by
thu man who had been robbed was
found unlocked.
THE key has been always In the
door on my side." explained Robert,
but have never turned It."
It was strange. unheard of. but the
stranger insisted on his Identification
Of Robert. The latter had two hours
time he could not account for in any
reasonable way. He was arrested.
His good character saved him, but
there was now vague insidious stain
upon 1t.
Slowly distrust began to attach to
the young lawyer. The conservative
ones gravely feared they had been un-
wise in bestowing ready confidence
on a comparative stranger. The
cowardly ones ignored and Stunned
him. Judge Mills forbade an engage
ment with his daughter and insisted
that Robert should not visit Ada until
his name was cleared.
So, weary weeks went on and Rob.
ert became we'll nigh disheartened.
His former popularity was on the
wane. his clients fell away from him.
Only that loyal Ada wrote him of her
undying love and faith he would have
left the town.
He had been engaged as associate
counsel in damage suit where a rail-
road passenger had received an in
jury in a collision In another part of
the county. Among the witnesses
summoned was a surgeon from
neighboring town.
When this person arrived at the
court room he sought out Robert. It
was to regard him in open-eyed bewil
derment
Why" he exclaimed" you have re-
soon!"
Il do not understand you" said Rob.
ert.
Were you not in the hospital at
Wayne two months since, suffering
from q terrible fall from a motor
,ycle?'
There were cross questions and
many explanations and then the light
zane. At Wayne this same surgeon
lad been summoned to assist in q
'ase where the victim of an accident
ay delirious with broken bones. i
crippled for life. /
II see It ALL" murmured the aston.
shed Robert 1T was my cousin who
obbed the man at the hotel. He To-
ated me, found little in my room to
teal and entered the one adjoining"
The next day Robert visited Wayne.
te found his cousin just able to get
bout on clutches. Ernest Earle,
roken In health and spirits, handed
Robert what was left Of the stolen
money. The regretful tears in his
yes showed his contrition.
Two days later Robert received a
ote from Judge Mills asking him to
all upon him. Ernest Earle had writ.
On confession and had forwarded It,
'obert would have shielded his mis-
uided relative. but the Judge insisted
n clearing up the case in the eyes Of
he public.
Robert wrote to his uncle all the cir.
Of the situation and Ern.
st Earle was placed In comfort with
distant relative.
There was a wedding q year follow.
,g. The fair bride was Ada. the
room Robert. He was the Hon. Rob
IT Earle now. The public had made
mends for their temporary disloyaltv
y electins him congressman from the
istrict.