The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-02
cent about the CHIEF purpose Of hls

ticenf about the CHIEF purpose Of his
trip. He wanted to see Lucy Bates.
Had she waited for him, as she had
sworn to do. remaining a solitary old
maid in the old-faglioned homestead?
1t was a mellow afternoon when his
automobile stopped at Gravehurst.
John had some difficulty in recognizing
the place at first. A huge factory was
vomiting smoke all over the landscape;
however, 1t was mile out Of town,
and the old-fashioned village itself
was little changed, although an annex
of cheap frame houses to supply the
needs Of the factory hands had sprung
up.
| John put up at the little shabby no
tel and made himself known to the
landlord. The landlord, 81 Higgins,
had been one of Johns old friends.
John did not recognize him at first,
and Higgins himself seemed a little
hazy about John.
They were talking over old times
when John reminded the landlord Of
Tom Elmer.
i suppose he's successful minister
now" he said.
What, Tom Elmer-Widow Elmer's
SOM" shouted the landlord. Used to
wear his hair in sort Of pompadour?"
That's him." answered John. the
memory all coming back to him.
Hi. Toni" the landlord called, and
out Of the stable lurched a blear-eyed
ragamufln Of about forty-seven, who
came up with surly scowl
tom. remember John Gardiner.
who went to Miss Blythe's school with
us?" the landlord asked.
Sure l do. Sort Of sneaking, COW.
ardly little cuss he was, wasn't he?"
asked Tom. breathing out a fresh
aroma of Kentucky rye.
This is him." said the landlord.
Come back to look up his old friends"
Glad to meet you again, Johnny"
said tho stableman, unabashed. Gould
speak to you in private a moment?"
he continued, taking John aside I'm
behind with the rent this month,
and"
John handed him five-dollar bill,
and Tom, looking at 1t in surly spite,
made his way back into the stable.
1t was with some diffidence that
John approached the subject Of Lucy.
What has become of Lucy Bates?"
John managed to say presently.
Lucy Bates?" inquired the land.
lord. why. there never wasn't but
one Lucy Bates. Hi, Lucy!"
A misunderstanding woman came
in. wiping her hands upon q dirty
apron. well, what is It now?" she
asked.
Remember Johnny Gardiner" In
quired the landlord, with . grin, In
dicating John. Come back from the
city to look up old friends"
A faint flush crossed the tired WON
ans face a. she extended a limp hand.
Yes. we've been married seventeen
years." said the landlord. II was her
hrst beau. too. We used to- 70 to-
gether when we was children. Lucy
never had no other beaux. did you,
Lucer
Nope" said the tired woman, shak-
ing her head and looking straight into
Johns eyes.
We'll. I'm pleased to have. seen
You" said John. moving out toward his
automobile. Il guess I'll have to, be
starting back now" he continued, a.
he got in. He had changed his mind
about staying in Gravehurst. by the
way, there was another old friend r."
Bot he got NO further. for with an
unearthly honk an automobile came
tearing down the street and struck
John's fairly and squarely, shaking
him from the step where he stood into
the road. He rose to find a black.
hrowed. hashity dressed stranger low.
ering at him from his car.
You've Knocked my lamp all as.
kew!" he snarled. "why in thunder
can't you look where you are going?'
And leaving John speechless with
me :fication he whirled away.
Manager of our factory" explained
the landlord. zone of the big men of
Gravehurst Hurt your eye, amt yoa.
Johnny? Looks as IL 1t was going to
blacken up
Yes, said John. nursing his swell.
ing optic. Il guess that mans name is
viii Jones. isn't it,"
Correct. agreed the landlord.
We're sort of proud CT him In Grave
hurst. Must you be leaving?"
II 1 can get this machine to rum.
answered John
And. after little aid from the local
blacksmith. John Gardiner chugsedl
out Of Gravehurst homeward-cured