The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-22
FOR HER SWEET SAKE
ey FRANK EVANS.

allied that something was wrong VIII
Van Loeuw's methods. On the se'
ond day he was sure of it.
Van Loeuw and he had entered the
bank within week of each othei'
Van Loeuw was a college graduate
while Tom was only the son OF couh'
try storekeeper. That ought not "
f! make any difference worth noticing III
America, but everyone knows 1t does
especially in large country towns iihe
Roxbury
II made this difference in particu-
lar: Van Loeuw was privileged "
call on Mildred Lesson, the president
daughter, to dine at her house anu
/ take her driving in the automobile ne
owned. Whereas. Tom Graves, VINO
had, in his boyhood. often served MISS
Mildred behind the counter OF his Ia
theirs store, could scarcely gather up
his courage to look like an ordinary
man when she bowed to him in the
street; and then. seeing his confusion,
Mildred would smile again, in a KIND
ly way. which Tom usually missed, be-
cause his eyes we're on the ground.
Everybody said that Tom was OF
the kind that are born to be drudges
and to work for men like Van Loeuw.
Van Loeuw never doubted that ne
was destined to marry Mildred and
step into her fathers shoes. He told
Tom about it,
when I'm president of the bank III
take care of you, Tom" he said. III
see that you get better job.
Tom would swallow his feelings
then and turn to his books.
Now, it was a fact that something
was seriously wrong. Tom soon dis
covered that it was not mistake. to
be picked up and rectified with few
hours of extra work After two weeks
of night work he traced back the error
to something that had begun two
years before. In short. there was
; defalcation of $4,000. and the man
who was responsible for it had hidden
his trail beneath the cleverest and
most intricate system that any thief
had ever devised
Two years ago! That was when
Van Loeuw bought his automobile!
But Tom did not think Of that He
resolved to tell Van Loeuw Of his dis
coverv and ask his advice, He did
So, and when he saw the CHASTITY pal
Tor uron the mans face the hideous
suspicion came home to him.
tom. I'll see you at your place to-
night" said Van Loeuw. IL want
to sneak to you"
Van Loeuw came into Toms room
,, at eight o'clock and flung himself down
in a chair
What did you want to NEEDLE with
the books for?" he began angrily.
"1t'r no COMPOUNDED business OF
yours"
perhaps not" admitted Tom. But
know 1t now. and I've got to 90 to
Lesson"
II tell you I can pay It back"
snarled Van Loeuw.
mo-" answered Tom "I1l nave to
60 to Leeson-unless you do"
Van Loeuw rose up, ashen white.
my Cod" he cried. what @ill be-
come of Mildred? Don't you know
she thinks the world of me?"
Tom sank down again. whittier than
the other man. Yes, he knew she did.
When at last he spoke there was an
air of unusual decision about him.
ivan Loeuw," he said, III take the
blame for this. will you swear always
to run straight in future? It doesn't
matter to me, you know. For Miss
Lessons sake"
You'll say you stole the money!"
cried Van Loeuw, incredulously.
tom, always knew you were as true
as steel. And I'll make it worth your
while"
Good night" said Tom. coldly.
He went into Mr.. Lessons office the
following morning. Van Loeuw had
not appeared at the bank. and he was
forced to close the cage when he went
out. Fortunately, depositors were few
In the first hours Of morning.
"Ah. Graves, was going to send
'or you" said the bank president, ris.
ing. I'VE have made an unfortunate
discovery"
YES" answered Tom. II wish to
inform you. sir. that have embez
sled $4,000 OF the banks funds"
The door opened and . woman
came In. Tom started as he saw Mil
bred. This made II doubly hard. But
ne was prepared to play his part to
the end now.
Mildred. will you come here a mo.
nent?" asked Mr.. Lesson, to Toms
amazement. please sit down. Mr.
Graves has Just been informing me
that serious embezzlement of banlt
funds is to be placed to his discredit.' q
Papa" began the girl. and Tom
saw that her face was drawn and
white, and her eyes red.
You are sure OF your statements
Graves" inquired Mr.. Lesson. turn,
Ing to Tom.
| I should hardly have come here II
we're not" answered Tom angrily.
| 1t Is very strange" said the
banker. shaking his head. you see
MP. Van Loeuw. who is now beins
sought for. wrote me a letter inform.
ing me OF the facts. assuming the re.
sponsibility. and stating that you pro
posed to bear the blame. under
stand that he had a spasm of con,
science after my daughter had broaeh,
him to his senses by refusing"
Papa" cried Mildred, blush,ns q,
rously. -
wen, my dear" said the banker
rising, perhaps when l am gone Won
yourself VIII be able to convince Mr.