The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-08-19
WELTON, The TRAITOR
BY WILLIAM j. JACKSON.
(CopvrightD
There is something strangely ia


miliar about that figure
Thomas Arkley, real estate broker,
was fighting his way home to supper
through the deep snow and the buster
OF squally winter night.
At the Baptist church corner he
glanced across High street before 60
ing over
On the other side, in the half shell
ter of wall-angle and under the glare
of an electric light, he saw tall, heav-
lily built figure of man, slouch-hatted
and awkwardly bent over. He was mi
nus an overcoat, and stood with his
hands thrust deep in his pockets, the
collar of his sack coat futilely turned
up against the storm.
Possessed with the notion that he
knew the man, Arkley passed close to
him
"A bad night, friend, the broker es-
sayed geually, at the same time peer
ing keenly into the face that was lift
ed slightly at the sound of his voice.
Jim Welton,' he calculated, with sud
den recognition. We'll, of all the
meetings in the world. How are you,
JIM"
Arkley's hand had been thrust out
with instant and genuine cordiality.
jim Welton was one of the lads Ark
ley, by sheer force of kindliness, had
drafted into Sunday school class
in former years. He did not forget
those boys, good, bad, or Indifferent,
and though it was five years since he
had shaken hands with Welton there
was no hint of strangeness in his
greeting.
Welton's hand came out of his pock-
ct very slowly. Arkley understood
perfectly. When a man has been in
prison for five years he is, to say the
least, apt to be shy. But the hand
came, nevertheless. No one had ever
been able to resist the wholesouled
broker Weton not only shook hands,
but, when Arkley linked arms with
him, suffered himself to be led
You're coming right home with me
to supper Welton, he declared. Il
won't take No for an answer, unless,
he qualified" unless I'm making nui-
sance of myself You haven't anything
on hand that it would interfere with,
have you?'
Il was just on my way to sea
friend, Welton admitted slowly, But
guess our business can wait for a
while"
He appeared content to let matters
shape themselves.
Good" Arkley approved. We'll
have a nice supper together and after
ward we'll smoke and talk over things
want to hear all about you.
Mrs. Arkley was ignorant Of the
very first detail in the life Of Welton
To her he was only a business ac
quaintance of her husband When the
two, after a meal in which Weltor
Portable room where the broker haC
business conferences on occasion, sh,
did not intrude.
"Welton, always believed in you,
Arkley insisted as he passed the ci
gars round, u always thought yol
innocent" he said, Let's talk on tina
basis
Welton nodded his understanding
and murmured his thanks.
There are some who don't thinl
sc" he grimly commented. Il me
Mrs. Greene this afternoon. She rec
ognized me and stepped off the side
walk so quickly she nearly fell Yol
would have thought bumblebee hat
stung her, the way the expression o
her face changed Tom Gardner knew
me, too, but YOU wouldn't have though
1t from the way he didn't look at me,
Welton continued
1t was an unhappy subject for dis
cussion. Arkley fastened to chang
It,
What are you going to do?" h
queried. Il don't ask out Of mer
curiosity; want to help you if can.
Welton, putting hard on the cigal
got up and strobe across the room bt
fore he replied AS he turned abou
he burst out impetuously:
Il have partly tested that question
Been-been out now about thre
months. Had place clerking for
contractor for a week At the end {
that time | knew from his expressio
when he paid me off that some piou
rascal had given him my pedigree
That has happened twice. Thre
times | have lost places just suite
to me for the want of references, an
four Jobs have been taken from N
because wasn't competent"
Arkley ventured a grunt of syn
pathy here and there as Welto
talked: but he let the eX-convict &
on without any more decided interru
tion.
ITO tell you the truth, Mr.. Arkley
he contided, as he sat himself dow
suddenly in front of his old teache
81 had given up when | met you I
night. OF course he griuned in sci
pity I've had lots of chances to mai
money in the way jailbirds are su
posed to prefer Made some busine
acquaintances during my sojourn, al
they've been generous with their su
gestion of partnership
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