The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-26

ana NED in the estimation Of Miss
warren. IN fact, there was a clear
understanding between them. Nv
warren treated Roy with rather scant
courtesy. but Roy hoped to soon 70.
"'uve tnis unfounded prejudice.
nat evening Roy called at the War.
.en nome. Its dignified proprietor
bestowed rather cool nod upon him
as ne passed him walking in the gar.
aen with his daughter. Then the
lovers once alone. Nellie Indignantly
.oio her favored sutton some things
ne had not heard of.
II seems that there was no DANCE,
Oh Roy fearing his rivals. at least for
some time to come. Both were laid
up at home. badly battered and dis.
figured.
Inc idea of tossing a penny to see
winch should call upon me arst,"
nuttered Nellie. THE idea of it,"
why, where did you hear of that ?"
voiced the discreet and astonished
Roy.
1T is all over town." and Nellie
gave the facts of the case. It seemed
mat Merkle after leaving Dallas had
ooasted OF his two trick coins, loaded
10 come up heads or tails, as he
cnose. OF this the duped Dallas had
heard. He sought out his rival. Re-
suit: fist fight bitter and to a finish,
and neither would be presentable for
some time to come.
Some girl friends had come to spend
week with Nellie and a grand pro-
gram for outing and pleasure had
been formulated. In their beds the
wounded rivals groaned and writhed
as they heard Of the great doings of
the happy group, where modest unpre-
tentlous Roy Elston was the priced
chevalier of the occasion.
Mr.. Warren did not welcome his
daughters sutton with any warmth at
any time. In fact, his chillness was
constantly on the increase.
He had acted several times as
though inclined to call Roy to an in
terview, probably to ask him to dis
continue his attentions to his daughter.
This rather depressed Roy, and one
afternoon as he and Nellie sat resting
on a bench after a game at tennis,
he rather covertly watched Mr.. War
rem, who was pacing up and down a
near path in manifest state of I'M
| easiness or excitement.
It's coming" murmured Roy ap-
prehensively, as Mr.. Warren after a
thoughtful pause advanced directly
towards the spot where he and Nellie
sat.
"Ahem!" observed her father.
Young man, l hope to be considered
a fair-dealing and truthful individual"
Il have never heard that disputed
averred Roy promptly, wondering
what his unusual and mystifying dec
laration might preface.
Just so-just so," floundered Mr.
Warren. We'll as You know am q
man of peace. l don't see how l got
the impression, perhaps the influence
of an idle remark, but somehow !
fancied you were Of a belligerent dis
position"
why, papa!" piped in the indig
nant Nellie-"he is "a perfect
dove!"
AT all events l was unjustly preju
decd went on Mr.. Warren, and
wish to make amends. I have just
received a letter from an old friend
Of mine who knows you very we'll.
Perhaps you mean General Re.
vere?" intimated Roy deity.
Exactly, and-and wish to apollo
gize for my mistaken opinion of you,
broke out Mr.. Warren. impetuously
Roy gladly and eagerly clasped the
extended hand OF the man who held
his fate in his power.
And, by the way" pronounced Mr.
Warren, II think Nellie will be in
terested in reading the general'i
letter"
With glowing eyes Nellie peruset
the epistle that had come in answer
to the request Of her lover. It ex
planned those telltale scars. It re
cited deed heroic in the collapse
OF small theater building, where Roy
had risked his life, but had saved
some twenty imperiled women ant
children.
Mr.. Warren watched her face for {
moment, remembered that he wal
once young himself, and discreet,
retired.
Nellie sprang to her feet, her whole
being breathing out soulfulness. Sh'
threw her arm around Roy's neck.
"Oh! you brave, modest hero!" sh'
cried adoringly.