The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-29

years. He spent that night in sleep
less planning. But in the morning he
was as cool as ever.
That morning there was a curious
expectancy about the Office. Haw.
kins, absorbed in his useless routine
work. did not heed the remarks that
passed until one of the factory men
touched him on the arm.
Well" snarled Hawkins, spinning
round on his stool.
you haven't heard the news, have
you, Mr. Hawkins?"
What news?" demanded Hawkins.
why, old man Green's died in
Paris, that's all, except that we're all
expecting to lose our jobs" answered
the man.
Hawkins stared at him and then
went on with his work.
For the first time in years Miss
Smith addressed him as he was pass.
ing through the business Office on his
way to lunch.
20, Mr.. Hawkins isn't 1t terrible!"
she said. "Mr. Green is dead and
I'm afraid I'm going to lose my posi-
ton"
The poor little woman was all in a
futter. 1t was well known that Blair
wanted to reduce the superfuous
staff; he was man without pity, and
the older members would be the first
to 60.
Miss Smith" called out an Office
boy. "Mr. Blair wants to see you"
Little Miss Smith hurried into the
superintendent Office, and Hawkins
waited beside her desk. Everybody
knew the meaning Of the summons
When she came back she was wiping
her eyes.
Goodbye. Mr.. Hawkins" she said.
extending her hand. "You know what
has happened. IL"
wait a minute, Miss Smith," said
Hawkins. Il want you to lunch with
me at Fry's. Will your"
There was something so urgent In
his tone that Miss Smith forgot to be
alarmed. She glanced round nervous
ly. Nobody had overheard.
All right" she whispered, and,
gathering up her things. slipped out
of the building. Hawkins was wait.
ing.
"Mr. Hawkins" called the boy con.
temptuously.
Hawkins went over to Blair's desk.
"Mr. Hawkins" said Blair. II may
as we'll come to the point without any
preliminaries. You have probably
heard that Mr.. Green has died in
Paris. We do not know who the heirs
will be, but meanwhile 1t is up to us
to curtail a lot of unnecessary ex-
penditure, chiefly in the matter OF
help, in which Mr.. Green involved the
firm. Times are bad, and the useless
members of the force must 60. You
can get your salary for the month at
the cashiers desk"
Hawkins stood smiling at Blair.
The hour of his triumph had come.
Il see nothing to laugh at, Mr..
Hawkins said the superintendent an.
grily. Thought you had some sort OF
pull here perhaps, didn't you?"
II did and do" said Hawkins, pull
ing letter out Of his pocket Read
that"
Blair snatched up the letter and be-
gan reading impatiently. AS he read.
however, the expression on his face
changed. first to alarm and then to
terror.
my dear Hawkins" he read, II am
writing this on my sick bed, and 1t
is the last letter that l expect to
write In this life. Eighteen years ago
l stole your ,pperplate process from
you. had no claim whatever. but
you had asked me to capitalize your
invention. and I, seeing its CONNER.
cial value, promptly patented it
which you had neglected to do In the
proper manner You threatened a
lawsuit l offered you life position
at one hundred dollars a month as a
compromise. l would have given you
five hundred and signed compact,
but when you accepted the offer as
1t was made took you at your word.
Now, that l am dying, l wish to
ask your forgiveness, and, to make
the restitution complete, let me say
that | am making you my sole heir
in the matter of the company, my will
having been drawn to that effect, ac-
cording to the copy which l am now
sending you"
We'll, Mr.. Blair, have you anything
to add to your statement" inquired
old Hawkins blandly.
We'll, Mr.. Hawkins" Blair began,
looking to his assistant for support,
'of course, this alters the circum.
stances considerably. 1t is rather for
you to say what you are going to do
with the company"
And with U.S." said Adkin bluntly.
Il tell you what am going to do"
said Hawkins quietly. 81 am going to
ask you fellows-I mean gentlemen
to continue to hold your posts on the
following conditions: A twenty per
cent. increase in salary for every
member of this firm, including your
selves, down to the office boys. That
comes first Second. there will be no