The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-21

agine my bed can II
wait. Your wife, l " \
suppose, is get
ting her beauty Sleep" Rolling
ham settled comfortably, striking q
match.
Maybe. She was half mapping IN
the parlor while ago, trying to make
up her mind to light up and read. Az
there is no lamp burning, / guess my
lady has retired"
Arden chatted merrily. with 4
raised voice, and at last threw away
his stub. The coal glowed in the grass
below, winking at him cheerfully.
Have another" invited Harder.
Say, now, I'm not half through Rol-
bingham. These country boarding
houses with three Of four guests,
where they don't encourage indoor
smoking are something of nuisance.
II l can't prevail upon you to stay
longer, I'm for taking walk, in spite
of the darkness. know the road like
book, and I'll sleep more soundly for
tramp to the red bridge"
1T will take you an hour" said
rockingham carelessly. I'll be dream.
ing when you creep in"
IN bet you will be-" Harder
chuckled jovially.
He watched the duped husband stalk
down the path. Sneering with an
amused smoker, his fingers sought the
closed door. He passed inside, whist
ling very softly.
Is 1t you, Arden?" The endearing,
cautious whisper brought his pulses
to quick throbbing.
Eyes, Laurel, my love. Where are
you?"
Here in the big chair. Come and
kneel by me. heard through the
blinds. How fine to get rid Of him"
Isn't it? A whole hour, Laurel.
It's only ten o'clock. We must be
careful, though
The minutes chased away quarter
hour. They did not hear the slight
creak Of the door, the stealthy foot
steps. Only, when the aggravated NUT
ter, few yards away.
Arden's hand went over the WON.
ans mouth for silence He arose
from his knees stifly, silently, just as
the small pocket electric lamp flashed
bright CLEAN in front of it's cropping
owner.
STEADY! Keep quiet. Ralph" Roll
ingham's voice was tense and con-
trolled Few situations found him
unprepared.
Gracious Harder jumped "Why,
what's the matter? l thought you
sound asleep. Laurel, too. Really,
now, think you folks ought to have
a light, hadn't your"
He laughed embarrassedly. not an.
grily, and coughed.
II would have had one in another
moment" the words came solemnly.
Carefully bring that lamp a bit
nearer" He was looking Harder in
the eye. Ralph, my friend. l hope it's
nothing serious. but your wife hasn't
moved or spoken since l came in an
swer to her peculiar cry-not more
than minute ago."
For goodness sake!" gasped Har.
den. starting. Arden. look! Some.
thing has hurt her-bitten her. Those
crimson spots, her cheeks. brow,
hands, even her lips. And it's on you,
too. Your mouth is all smeared-
your face. Mercy on u.s."
The flashing CLEAN played over the
wild, disfigured features of the horri.
fed pair.
II was writing with red ink"
stammered the guilty lover. L"
Red mkt sneered Harder, burst
ing into hoarse laugh. You despica-
BILE liar. l deal in chemicals and dye
stuffs. You smoked a dyed cigar.
Ohio! that preparation, tasteless, so
diffusive with the slightest moisture,
proved fine detective. It was made
for your deceitful lips, and for hers.
What now, fools?"
The woman shrank speeches. save
for sobbing. The man glided back
ward with splitting curse.
Wait" snarled Harder, drawing a
glistening revolver. You snake of
the bloody NAV. Wife, poor, foolish,
thoughtless dupe. tell me the truth.
Is this creature, shivering there, worth
a husbands bullet?
No, no!' cried Laurel in a passion
OF tears. Believe me, Ralph, in the
name of my mother-not that"
Harder lowered his weapon.
rockingham" he said sternly.
Tomorrow morning will not find you
here. Co. Carry your stain with you.
1t will have to wear of. | alone pos-
sess the secret formula for its re-
moyal. I'll take care Of my wife.
Col"