The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-04

would have Induced him to take her.
with the party of friends, to such .
place. '''e
The young mans soulful blue eyes
seemed unutterably sad. May hope
to meet you again." he asked.
Perhaps" breathed Dorothy.
"When?"
Tomorrow night"
It was settled, and the girls heart
beat fast as he led her back to the
table, where Sanford gave her kind
ly scolding for sitting out with the
man. He did not know the secret Of
his birth. and Dorothy felt honored in
keeping it to herself. Sanford took
her home, laughed at her enthusiasm,
and said good-by. He never dreamed
what plan was in Dorothy's head.
On the next night Dorothy, inno-
cent, went to the cabaret alone. Tim
idly she sat at a table. She did not
know what to order. Before she had
answered the waiter, a young man
came up to her and invited her to
dance. The leer on his face struck
Dorothy cold with terror.
Suddenly, with bound, her friend
of the night before was at her side.
Get out of here!" he stormed at the
other, who withdrew grudgingly. A
moment later Dorothy saw him laugh
ing with the slim blonde woman. It
might have seemed curious, but all her
attention was concentrated on the
young man at her side.
She told him her own story, of the
pent-in life in the country home, her
rich old father, absorbed in money
making, her loneliness in New York.
But you need an escort" said
the young man. May be privileged
to call myself your friend?" / can
show you life-the real life. :"
On the next evening he called for
her in a taxicab and took her to half
a dozen cabarets. Dorothy had an i'm
preston of a whirl of music. dancing,
and laughter. The young man had no
change and Dorothy paid the taxicab
bill-twenty-two dollars. She had an
idea that the cab driver smiled when
he took the young man home.
st. Clair-that was his name-had
explained how his share of his grand
fathers property was being held up
pending a lawsuit. II would be . mat
ter of q few weeks only. Dorothy,
with all the money she needed, had Of
fered to be his banker. The next day
she bought him . diamond pin. He
had said no had lost his pin. How
surprised he would be at the gift!
He was. And, always respectful. he
took her here and there and every
whore. The girls eyes were opening
fast. Their comradeship, 30 frank and
friendly, took on . softer note. She
let him hold her hand. Once he kissed
1t. and she thrilled with happiness.
He was to call and take her to pr.
vate theatrical entertainment-very
exclusive. very elite. Dorothy was sur.
prised that 1t was to be given In .
private house, but she went upstairs
without demur. They were the first
guests. Excusins himself . moment,
the young man withdrew. leaving the
girl alone in the dimly-lit room.
1t was q .two-room apartment, with
. curtain in the middle. Dorothy be-
gan to grow uneasy. She heard foot
steps-and suddenly two men and =
woman-the slim blonde-burst in.
There she is!" shrieked tho woman.
% you hussy! - III teach youth tear
your eyes out
She struggled wildly in the grip Of
the men. while Dorothy. white with
terror. waited mutely.
well. Miss we've trapped you" said
one Of the men. I'VE are detectives
from the Dolf agency. II you've got
any friends you'd best communicate
with them. for Mrs. Seaforth here
means to prosecute her divorce suit
through thick and thin"
Before Dorothy had quite taken in
his meaning the second man, seizing
advantage while his comrade strug-
gled with the blonde. came quietly up
to Dorothy. yr7
Five hundred will square It. and
we'll swear we never found you," he
whispered. Come, give me your note
all your money and an l. o. u. It's
safest, and you won't have any pub.
licity."
At last the girl realized the trap in.
to which she had fallen. Half faint.