The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-02-26

his retainer, fell back exhausted.
With the silent tread Of a
clean-limbed animal of the jungles, a
young man entered the bedroom and
approached the bedside of his father.
His head and shoulders were Of ire
mendous size for the delicate body
and legs, giving him the appearance
OF humpbacked man.
Henry my boy" gasped Le Croix,
taking firm grip on the lunch
backs hands, and looking him earn
estly in the eyes. | have just re-
ceived from your sister a note, which
Is burning in yon fire She is over in
town and wanted to come here Years
ago-you remember-your sister left
us. 1t broke your mothers heart.
What it did to me matters not. There
was man who took your sister from
us. He was a bad man. Your sis
ter had child by that bad man Now.
Henri, should you ever meet him, Kill
him"
Yes, father"
Within the hour that the postman
had delivered the unforgiving ulti-
matum to the young woman petition
er a servant handed her a card, stat
ing that the caller waited in the hotel
parlor. AS she entered man arose
and deferentially bowed She flushed
slightly as she recognized Charles
Hasbrook, an old acquaintance Of her
girlhood, a man who had loved her,
and whom she had loved
Your father is dying; you would
like to see him."
Yes, sir but he has absolutely de-
clined to receive me unless unless"
II know" said lIasbrook, gently.
But that doesn't matter II you'll
get your wraps we'll drive out to the
plantation
"But but-Frankle-"
Frankie"
Eyes, my little son"
The man started as II struck, but he
recovered himself
Bring him along" he said
At the mansion, Jean barred the
way.
my orders are strict" he said;
"she cannot enter"
But insist she has a right to
come In" said Hasbrook. sternly.
Let US pass, and then If he wants to
order US out, we'll go. but we're go
ing to see him first"
Father"
The young woman rushed to the In
valid and knelt at his bedside.
"Who calls me father2" demanded
the old man. harshly.
1T is Your daughter-Cecile-
can't you see me-"
Where's your husband?"
Here he is, Mr.. LIE Croix." said
Hasbrook. calmly. My name IS
Charles IIasbrook. married your
daughter when she left home some
years ago"
THE proof, sir-the proof! Why
didn't you let me know before
There's some trickery here"
Il understood you objected to me
on grounds affecting my honor" said
llasbrook, taking desperate chances,
and told Cecil never to mention my
name in letter she wrote you"
by CAD That has the right rims"
said the old man. I'D have done
the same thing myself.
The invalid lasted until nearly
dawn, when Ilasbrook having done all
he could, walked down the graveled
path He was conscious that some
dark figure was fitting about the trees
and bushes, going in the same direc-
ton. Supposing 1t was one Of the
dogs. he paid but little attention till
the figure blocked his way at the gate.
Then he recognized the grotesquely
misshapen form Of man. who seemed
to be all head and arms. Hasbrook
attempted to step to one side, but his
enemy leaped at him like whirlwind.
clutched him with death grip about
the throat and bore him to the earth.
He couldn't cry out, and his arms
seemed paralyZed. The hunchback
knelt on his breast and maintained his
grip Of steel till all was over.
Fearful Forest Waste.