The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-20

Mr.. Graham skunk inc the sheu as
Rose ran into the house to her mothei'
In a few moments he heard io"'
beart-searing wall. He knew tnat ms
wife had told Rose of the sale Oh Lau-
die When he came In. however sue
greeted him with her usual loving KISS
and sunny smile, but he noted her deep
pallor, her mental anguish. Brave ~,
Tie spirit! all through the evening sue
never allowed look or word 10 pe-
token her sufferings.
John Graham could not sleep that
night. He wandered about the mousse
listlessly. He crept close TO tne uooi
of Roses room. He could hear her low
sobbings. Then, as he sat IN the uaih-
moss in the front room of the house.
there was a captious patter OF TWO
little bare feet A bar OF moonlight
fell upon a piece of carpet in the
kitchen that was Ladies' bed. Ano'
kneeling upon it, as though II were
some sacred prayer rug, was hose'
She was too ill to arise in the morn
ing. There were tokens of fever. MT.
Graham attended to his round OF
duties about house and yard. He kept
putting off going down town. men,
as he caught the echo of muifled cry
from Rose. his lips grew cruelty stern
and decided.
"Laddie must come back" he NUT
tered. Hunger, homelessness, rags
we can bear them all better than our
poor darling's suffering"
He clutched the little roll of bank
bills in his pocket with forceful deter
mination. He knew where the Doane
home was located and he started In It's
direction. Half the distance accom-
plished, he was met by Mr.. Doane and
his chauffeur in the automobile. He
hailed him to stop. Then he noti2cd
Laddie in the machine.
1--WE come to give you back that
money" said Mr.. Graham at once.
my little one is heart-broken over
him"
why, | was just bringing the dog
back to you," replied Mr.. Doane. i
declare! we're in terrible mess. both
of us. l left my child fairy historical
over my taking the dog away. No, no,
my friend" continued Mr.. Doane, push
ing back the proffered fifty dollars.
1T was fair sale and return the dog
to you"
"Why-I don't understand" STAN
mered Mr.. Graham.
Hes lovable as lamb to Elsa" re-
piled Mr.. DoaRe, "but wild terror to
everybody else. He chased neigh
boris chickens till'they nearly had fits.
He howled all night long He guarded
I the house SO we'll that the milkman
I couldn't enter the yard. Oh, we
couldn't think Of keeping him, even for
Elsa's sake!"
"Laddie- did-that!" cried the as
founded Mr. Graham, incredulously.
He glanced at Laddie, meek as a
lamb. Was 1t possible? Ridiculous!
But, actually. the intelligent and scan
dalous Laddie seemed to wink at him
as II to say. 81 worked it,"
:: Yes, Laddie. the gentle, had GER
tainly played a part! Mr.. Graham
happened to explain to Mr.. Doane the
family necessities.
BY this time the latter was con.
WINGED that Laddie had foiled him. A
small house he. owned right next to
his own was vacant. Would Mr.. Ora
ham move and let both the children en-
Joy the company Of the animal they
loved so devotedly?
Never again did artful. two-faced
Laddie fad 1t necessary to act the dog
villain! He divided his time between
his two doting young mistresses, there
were better times for the Grahams,
and all hands we're happy!