The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-17
'ervative. and, in . measure. suspi.

cl0uS.
Judge he said finally, this may
be all right, and again it may not
Mind, don't doubt your word, but II
will cost me something to visit the
city. I'll have to get new suit. III
need some cash to live there, even
for few days. l have only a little
money saved up. I hate to risk it.
Risk it? Risk it," shouted his
, visitor: why, I'm so sure Of my state
mont that I will loan you a hundred
or two. and If the expectation fails
you need never pay me back
That's fair" said John, in his blunt
practical way.
1t was settled that John was to get
ready at once. The Judge never let
him out Of his sight. John arranged
to have . neighbor attend to the little
farm during his absence. He longed
to see Vera and tell her the good
news. The Judge. however, stuck to
him like brother. Two hours later.
quite reconstructed John, the young
farmer was aboard a train, seated be.
side the judges daughter. bound for
the city.
John was quite fattered by the at
tention Of Miss Grinnell. In fact, she
somewhat attracted him. They all
went to the same hotel. For two days
the Judge left the young folks a good
deal Of themselves. He claimed to be
closing up the estate in the probate
court.
John said some foolish things to his
fair companion. In fact. she fiirted
quite outrageously with him. The
Judge rallied him ON the circumstance.
Go in and win her, boy" he whis-
pered in Johns ear one day. She's
worth It," and he chuckled and poked
John jocularly in the ribs
Evenings they went to the thea
ter. It was a new and rare expert.
ence for John. Then, as the days
dragged by and his self-appointed at.
torney still professed to be settling
up the case. John began to get impa-
tent
One evening he overheard the Judge
and his daughter conversing. He
learned that the former was bent on
entrapping him as a rich son-in- law
John thought of Vera at home He
was ashamed of having ever thought
of any love but hers. He made a sud-
den resolve. The next morning he
went away on still, personal hunt for
the executor of his uncle's estate.
He was gone for several hours. The
Judge scanned him closely when he
returned.
Something to say to you. john he
observed in a confidential way. my
poor girl. Ivy"
why. what about herr" inquired
John wonderingly.
II see she Is mourning for fear you
may desert her Why don't you speak
out and get the engagement ring at
once?"
You think she would have me?"
asked John. with a peculiar expires.
sion in his eye.
Il do" assured the lawyer.
Perhaps not, when l tell you what
I have done." spoke John coolly i've
been to see the executor Of my uncle's
estate. Why, his son left q widow
with three little children unprovided
for"
whats that to us?" demanded the
Judge.
Everything to me. 1t seems that
my cousin Randall was estranged from
his father through a mistake. l have
learned that on his death bed my uncle
wished to change his will, for he had
learned Of the wrong he had done his
SON."
We'll. he didn't change it," re-
marked the Judge.
mo. but have. You think I'd rob
those dear little children Of their
rights! No. sir! I've seen them. I've
made over all my claim to the es-
tate. say. judge. how about marry
ing your daughter now"
BAH" shouted the Infatuated Judge,
and strobe from the room baflied. Miss
Grinnell passed by John with . con.
sneer an hour later.
John did the right thing. He has
tened back to Vera and told her every
thing. She called him a noble man
for his great unselfish sacrifice. and
but gladly said Yes" to q
very imperative question.
And their reward came. The day
they we're married, the executor Of his
uncle's estate appeared at the little
farm. The widow of Johns cousin had
Insisted on dividing the twenty thou.
sand dollars with the happy newly.
welded couple.