The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-11

Il know. but we can't let him be in !
need. There ought to be some way of !
getting his money back for him, even
If it does destroy his faith in George"
They put their heads together. and
after a while a heroic, desperate plan
occurred to Charles. He loved his ia
ther, in spite of the old mans be
havior toward him, and he did not in.
tend to let his brother George despoil
him - especially as he suspected
George of being interested in good
many shady propositions.
As a matter of fact, George. who
had not seen his brother for ten years,
had never meant that circular to fall
into his hands. It had been an over
sight of one of his girls 1t was not
Georges interest to arouse any sus-
picions in his brother. whom he de-
spised, until he had made good on his
coup and betaken himself with his vic
TINS money to another land. i
On the following Monday Henry
Pentland stepped out of the train at
the central station and made his way
| toward his sons office. He had seen
I Georges new handsome suite where
his companies had their headquarters.
He had wondered at the stenOgraphers
and addressers at their desks. at the
mahongany fittings of the interior Of
fee. and any doubts which might have
existed in his mind as to the security
of his capital had been Immediately
| dispelled. George seemed in his IA
Tiers eyes the most wonderful man
| in the world He ccntraS ed him scorn-
! fully with stay-at-home Charles, who
had never done anything but keep
store.
AS he assembled in the elevator the
old man looked without much inter-
est at the middle-aged man that ac-
companied him. The two entered the
office together. "An INVESTOR" the
farmer thought A girl rose and came
toward them. but the middle.aged man
brushed past her and coolly made his
way into the inner room. The girl
hesitated and then took Henry Pent.
lands name.
I'm just his father-Ill watt" said
the old man.
At that moment he heard an oath
from within, the sound of a falling
chair. Instantly the dread suspicion
flashed upon him that the stranger
had injured George. He knew that
financiers we're greatly hated by the
unsuccessful. He had always feared
for Georges life when the papers
were filled with denunciations Of the
wealthy. and mob orators INDUCED In
wild declarations. Overcome with
fear, he plunged into the inner room
to see George standing at bay de-
family, the stenographer upon her
feet in terror, and the bearded, mid
dle-aged man confronting George dra.
matically.
He did not take his eyes from
George. but called to Henry to come
in and close the door.
I'm the United States marshal for
this federal district" he explained,
quietly, and ! am Instructed to place
the government seal upon everything
here: Kindly do not attempt to leave
this room. It Is not necessary to
create panic outside. will take the
books and ask for Mr.. Pentland's com.
pany to the federal Jail"
What's my son done?" besought
the old man.
HE is suspected OF having orga'
nized a crooked concern known as the
Alpha Gold Mining company"
But I've put eighteen thousand
into It," walled Henry Pentland.
,, I'm afraid you won't see 1t again.
answered the marshal. Nov, Mr.
Pentland, are you ready?"
See here, George" shouted his f.
Their, us this all bunk or what?"
He's lying" muttered George, but
, without conviction. See here, how
: much will you take to give me twelve
, hours grace?" he continued, turning
, to the marshal.
"Oh. George!" moaned Henry Pent
= land, all his ambitious dreams shat
I tered. you scoundrel, give me my
eighteen thousand or I'll have you
+. hauled of to the penitentiary," he con
! tinued.
, George Pentland held a short whis
}. pered colloquy with the marshal. Al
4 the end of that time he sat down and
o wrote out a check, which he tossed
n across the table to his father. 1t was
Z for eighteen thousand dollars.
4 Take 1t, and don't let me see youl
|. face again!" he snarled, and, clappine
+ on his hat, he strobe out of the Office
The marshal took the old man By
: the arm.
ITS made out to bearer" he said
8 taking up the check, and we'll go ant
r get it cashed before closing hour
}, Fifteen minutes later Henry Pent
t land, with eighteen thousand dollars
e in bills upon his person, entered cab
S I'll never forget your kindness
J. never" he sobbed to the fedora
d marshal. THAT scoundrer robbed me
) Of my hard-earned savings, and
d trusted him completely. Now, he's nj
longer a son of mine. I cast him OF
" I've got another son, but ! amt treat
ed him well. and / can't rightly ex
}. pect him to have anything to do with
d me. But-eh?"
e For the marshal. stepping into the
|, cab, pulled the beard from his face
revealing the features of-Charles.
q He grabbed his fathers hand in his
Lets shake and forget it, dad hi
/" said. We'll get home and tell Lds
ToodJac What do ynu cavoD