The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-03

Liver, anG your husband took me IN.
Bless you! Never had a boy better
parents. You, dear old Doc, spent
many day picnicking with me and
Z teaching me how to crate, as you call
! it. And you, Professor Drexel, taught
me all l ever learned When l start
ed out from Bridgeton four years ago
to seek my own fortune, made a
solemn vow. 1t was that / would new
I er forget my old friends If l met with
success"
That's you, Henry" smiled Lee
Driver. "Well?"
Il am a millionaire" announced
Henry. and they all gasped. Il have
the biggest and best ranch in New
Mexico. | have a home that is a pal
ace, ard I've come to take you all
out there. l have quietly found out
how life is going with you here. l
learn that all the professor wants is
books, lots of them. All right-a royal
library is waiting you out at Comfort
Ranch, professor, and you need never
worry any more as to money"
Henry! Henry" cried the delight
ed old savant quayeringly. rs this
some fairy story?'
Not bit of it," declared Henry.
you, Doc" he went on, have always
wanted to boss something. Well, you
shall be superintendent of my big
ranch, and you shall demonstrate
your ability as an organizer and man.
ager."
ITS the chance of my lifetime!"
gasped the old political campaigner.
AS to you." continued Henry, turn
ing a fond glance upon Sarah" moth
ing is too good for you. l hear you
have been in household rut so long
that you pine for change-you need
to try some one else's cooking. And
Lee, here, working twelve hours day
and allowed only on Saturday nights
TO smoke indoors, shall have a den of
his own stocked with the best cigars
in the market"
Hes romancing." sighed Doc; "oh,
sure he isl"
No." dissented the lawyer Mr..
Bolton has deposited five thousand
dollars with me for each one of you
in case you get tired of the new life
he offers you. All you have to do Is
to return to Bridgeton and start In
afresh. If you are disappointed"
The new life of the four astonished
legatees who had tired of the hum
drum OF Home. Sweet Home" might |
deserve lengthy exploitation. Brief
ly, all that Henry Bolton promised he
carried out. In the grand ranch man.
sion Professor Drexel reveled in books !
and comfort. Old Doc was free to |
spout and order good-natured cow
boys around all day long. Lee Driver,
dressed like prince. used twenty-five :
cent havanas as il they were tooth. I
picks, and his wife had four cooks at
her command
TOO many books. and life too short !
to read them ALL" the professor
mourned one day II never knew there !
was SO much knowledge in the world.
Henry, l want to go back to my mod /
est old favorites at Bridgeton aud die !
And Doc had soured on power. He
missed his old cronies, who had list
ened to his fiowery orations The un.
cowboys only laughed at
him. Henry discovered Lee behind a
tree putting at his dear old briarwood
and sick with ennui And Mrs. Driver
she said to Henry:
"Why, there isn't a morsel Of food
cooked here the way | cook it. Just
long for the old kitchen range and
real home comforts.
Result: they all pinned for Home,
Sweet Home" and returned there with
gladstone hearts-ali except one.
This was Serena Blair, a niece OF
the Drivers. She had been adopted by
Sarah, and the latter had insisted on
bringing her with them. Henry had
played with Serena when she was a
child. Very rapidly he had renewed
he old companionship. When the
Drivers went back to Bridgeton Sc
'ena, liking the climate, remained be-
hind. finding employment in a store
in the nearest town.
Now came a rude change in fortune
or Henry. The ranch mansion burned
Town one night, uninsured. A ques.
ion of title dispossessed Henry from
he land ownership. Then he went
Town with the fever.
When became. out Of q long deliri.