The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-17
WICKED OLD MAN
BY ROGER JACOB DUNN.

The wickedest old man in town sat |
at his desk in room on the fortieth |
story of skyscraper. He was finger
ing letter which he had just re.
ceived; after while he rose and went !
to card index catalogue.
"Randall-Randall," he muttered,
and began examining the records un-
der that name.
He seemed perplexed, for he could
not remember where the Randalls
came from, if he had ever known.
Somewhere out West, he fancied. He
was still examining the catalogue
when the boy brought In a card, and
he resumed his chair just in time to
be able to rise and welcome a girl
who entered nervously and with evil
dent signs of agitation.
"Sit down, Miss Randall" said the
wickedest old man in town. Offering
her q chair.
But she refused to be seated. and,
opening her reticule, took out a letter
and clipping and flung them angrily
upon the desk.
Il received your Matchmaking
scheme" she cried We'll, do you
think you can do what you threaten
and get away with it?"
Madam, l have been getting away
with it for fifteen years." answered
the wickedest man in town.
The girl collapsed into the chair
and burst into tears. The wickedest
man in town seemed really concerned
about her.
Nov, now, control yourself" he
said soothingly This is simple
business proposition. l edit paper
devoted to news of the socially elite.
l have received very interesting in
formation about your family which
would make good reading. Before
printing it l submitted a copy of it
to you-a proof, we call it-asking
you whether you wish it to appear,
and. IL not, whether you would care to
call here to discuss the matter. Well?"
But as the girl only stared at him
in helpless aversion, the wickedest
man in town proceeded to read the
article slowly, with due enunciation
Of every word.
"'The RandallRobinson wedding
which takes place on the day follow
ing the return of the bridegroom from
England, next month"
Yes. you coward" interrupted the
girl. IF Mr.. Robinson were here you
would not dare to print that. He
would thrash you within an inch Of
your life"
Madam" said the wickedest man
in town, II have been thrashed within
an inch of my life at least once a
year since l became an editor. l
thrive on it,"
And he continued to read:
"'Will excite great interest, on &C.
count OF the interesting past Of the
Randalls. Coming 'front.' left a
blank there for you to fill in" he con-
tinued.
How much do you want to keep
that out of your paper?" demanded
Miss Juanita.
flush, my child" answered the
wickedest man in town. You admit
its truth, then?"
How much?" repeated the girl in.
flexibly.
II have some other interests be.
sides editing my paper" pursued the
wickedest old man in town thought.
fully. Il have good deal of mining
stock"
How many shares do you want me
to buy?" inquired the girl.
But it is not for sale. However
II you are really thinking Of buying
mining stock can put you In touch
with a good friend OF mine who has
some for sale, believe. will ask
him to call on you tonight. However
Miss Juanita. it would be better for US
to be entirely frank with each other
Since l gather that you are averse to
having that item inserted, 1t shall not
be inserted. always try to please
my friends. But now, tell me, where
do you come from?"
Il won't tell you"
"Your mothers maiden name, then.
urged the wickedest old man In town
What are you going to do with that
information"
Keep it, my dear, for a hundred
years longer than live. Come, be az
frank with me as you would be with
your lawyer. Who are your people?'
my mother was Miss Rogers OF
AUSTIN" answered the girl
The wickedest old man in town
bowed, and, walking to the catalogue
took out the Randall card. He showed
it to the girl, and then tore 1t into
tiny pieces, which he let flutter through
his fingers into the waste-paper bas
ket.
Good day, Miss Randall" said the
wickedest old man in town. my
friend will not call on you with that
mining stock
"But-but," stammered the girl, "the
article"
viii never be published" answered
the other, taking up the proof and
tearing it, likewise, into small pieces
Good day once more"
But why did you send for me?" the
girl demanded uneasily.
ITO verify my suspicious" answered
the wickedest old man in town. "You
need have no further fears, good day.
When at last the girl was gone the
wickedest old man in town sat dowr
at his desk and fell into an abstrac
ton.
|
Il wonder what Molly Randall would
say IL she knew who her husband IL ?