The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-16

spoken Of q set Of books representing
the works Of an obscure and well-nigh
forgotten German savant. These COW
cred some abstruse psychological
ideals, and had been a great favorite
with him, he said, in his younger
days.
You might take a run around and
see IL you can find any trace Of the
Set" Mr.. Abercombie suggested to
John one day. Professor Marsh seems
very eager for it and has offered two
thousand dollars If we can deliver the
commission"
John went the rounds The vol.
umes were nowhere to be found, In
fact very few Of the booksellers had
ever heard of them. One afternoon,
however, he was met by the manager
of q rival book house.
Il say, Pembroke" observed this
individual, Il think l have located
those books. In fact. have found .
man who has a complete set. II
direct you up against him, what Is
there in 1t for me?"
Ten per cent"
"All right. I'll send the man to
you"
He appeared the next day, a seedy.
hungry-looking fellow. who suggested
the actor on forced vacation, or the
average literary hack.
Mr.. Abercrombie cast q look of vain
pride at his manager as he turned
the fellow outside out" as he boasted
chucklingly after the bargain was
made. and beat the price down from
fifteen hundred dollars to eleven hun.
dred and fifty dollars.
Follow my tactics" he observed
to John Get your order before you
buy. as have done"
The owner Of the set of rarities ap-
peared the following morning in q
cab. The volumes in question were
unloaded. the man was paid his price,
Mr.. Abercrombie turned up his
nose at the books as he looked them
over.
n SiC0i PiOht Ou q lOl VI Olu tLuCh
with no real value" he observed.
Professor Marsh did not appear as
usual that morning, nor in the after
noon. Mr.. Abercrombie began to get
uneasy, the next morning anxious. He
sent John to the hotel where the
erudite college president had been
stopping.
Gone, sir, left last night" reported
John upon his return.
"You-you don't mean permanent
ly?" questioned the bookseller, q
quaver of suspicion in his voice.
Il do" replied John.
Then"
Il fear you are swindled. sir" re-
minded the young manager. PRO
lessor Marsh left with man precise
ly answering to the description of
the person who sold US the books. It
was a we'll put up game. l fear"
Mr.. Abercrombie looked bored,
more, Inundated. He put on his hat
and went out to investigate. He was
subdued and crestfallen when he re-
turned. Jessie happened to be pres
ent when he returned
The bookseller pottered around for
spell. Then he came up to Jessie
and John, who were converting casu.
ally.
"Ahem!" flustered the old man. Il
! believe We will say no more about
that money you invested some time
since. In fact. we'll call that trans.
action square,"
why, thank you, sir" spoke John
gratefully.
And l would not let anyone Of our
rivals know how clevsrly wa
duped."
Indeed not, sir"
"And-I have eyes. and perhaps ]
am getting past my usefulness. A
mistake like this! We had better
discuss our business mutually aftel
this
Jessie was beaming. She nudged
her lover. Speak now!" she whis
| pered
Then John proffered his request
Surely opportunity was knocking al
his door. and quite graciously old
Abercrombie smiled upon the engaged
pair and blessed them.
Copyright. 1915. by W. g. Chapman)
A WAY TO INDOOR HEALTH