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


Minna knew the fellow instantly.
He put his hand on her arm. "Minna
don't you know met" he asked.
"Hush!" she answered swiftly.
THAT Is my husband. Don't let him
see you talking to me-"
Jaw. say!" burst out Emmett i'm
petuously, that fat man isn't your
husband. I'm your husband. Who IL
he-millionaire or duke?"
II can't see you now" whispered
Minna in agitation.
when, them" he asked DULY.
Sunday afternoon" She gave him
her address quickly. Then she went
on. And Emmett, though he was
scowling. had to remain content.
The memory of her, the reflection
that he had lost her through his own
GROWING folly. burned in his brain.
But he meant to win her again-this
divine woman who had given herself
to him, whose life he had wrecked.
How easy it would be. he thought. to
feign repentance. to tell her he had
sought her. His mind was busy
during the next three days.
| Minna had not said word to Pop"
Why? Well. I think there Is an in.
stinct in the best women to want to
test their husbands. I mean that all
the advantages Of the union, in this
case, were on Kupfel's side. Minna
had money, beauty, youth, and health,
and he was only bald and fat old
Dutchman who had once been kind to
her when she was in distress. He
had picked her up out of the gutter.
And he was her husband. There was
something to balance against what
she contributed to the marriage. but
1t was not so much. Perhaps Minna
wanted to show her husband what she
had given up for him. And perhaps
she wanted to see how the two men
would act. But am sure she had no
intention Of being false to Pop"
Minna frequently had guests on
Sunday afternoons. and Pop" who
shone mainly in more convivial So
ciety, always retired on such occa-
sions to the kitchen, where, with his
pipe and a bottle of beer, he would
sit in his shirtsleeves, his feet upon
the table. reading "F1iegende Blaet.
ter" and laughing as heartily over the
jokes as though he had never heard
joke before. On this occasion he
withdrew as soon as the visitor was
announced. Minna had taken care
that he should not hear the name
and she had left the connecting door
open.
| Emmett came in and took a chair
beside her.
"Well, Minna," he said. II never
thought to meet you like this, after
our parting. Minna. I want to tell
you how hard tried to find you again.
I have been madly in love with you
ever SINCE"
Minna heard that the rustling of the
newspaper had stopped. She wondered
what Pop" was going to do. He must
have heard. You see, she had never
wholly understood Pop"
"Who is that fat fellow you've taken
up WITH" asked Emmett. "Shucks,
thought you had better sense, Minna.
Well. suppose you'll shake him and
resume the old partnership with me.
won't your"
There was noise of heavy pacing
boots In the kitchen, but Emmett EVIL
IDENTIFY thought they we're in another
apartment. for he paid no attention.
He put his arm round the dancer.
| OIvvo 00{nn En- Fol hon Min.
ma" he said. "And this time It's 60.
ing to last longer" he added.
Pop! Pop!" called Minna. Bring
Wilhelm in here to show him to Mr..
Emmett, will your"
Pop" Kupfel came out of the kitch.
en- and into the parlor. He was in his
shirtsleeves, and in his arms he car.
ried a red-faced duplicate OF himself,
about year old. and he stood at
Minna's side like fat old soldier
This is my son. Mr.. Emmett" said
Minna. And this Is my husband.
You see, now. there are important rea,
sons why should not resume the old
partnership as you phrased II, with
you. aren't there?"
! Emmett rose up and his face grew
purple. And that was the critical mo-
ment. Perhaps Minna. good woman
though she was, had at times found
Pop" q little trying and thought re-
gretfully Of how much better she
could have done II she had not mar.
ried him. II Pop" had lost his dig.
nifty now, he would in q way have
been found wanting.
But, as Emmett stood there. scowl.
ing and sneering. and breathing heav.
lily. Pop" put down the baby and
waddled solemnly up to him.
I'm sorry my wife can't go mid you
to live" he said thickly. Won't you
dake elm glass beer before you 60, Mr..
Emmett?"
Emmett's hand was on the door
What do you mean?" he stammered
II want to talk mid you." answered
Pop" II want to find oud Wy God
made a mans like you. You must be
"a y