The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-03
FULL POLICE POWERS
BY ANNIE HINRicHsEN,

Il am health warden of this civ +"
the young woman was saying to the
mayor of Baysville. Give me police
powers. Make me a real policewom.
an with power to arrest any person in
the city who violates a health ordi-
nance"
The mayor took form from a draw
er Of his desk and filled in the blank
spaces. Here is your commission,
Miss Calvin. You are a policewoman
with power to arrest"
The newly-commissioned policewom-
an stood before the door that Leonard
Gordon's office boy had thrown open
for her. You are Mr.. Leonard Cor
DOM" she asked.
The young man at the desk rose.
There was half-questioning, wholly.
admiring smile on his face.
Il have come to arrest you," said
Miss Calvin, ION a charge of violating
these sections of the city health ordi-
nances." She held book of statutes
toward him and traced the section
with slim white finger.
And you are arresting mel" he
beamed delightedly. Really arrest
ing me? You, Bayvilles first and only
police lady? l appreciate the honor.
Put your handouts on me and lead
me to jail"
Mr.. Gordon" there was a little
angry CLINT In her eyes-"this is not
matter to be ridiculed. l have re-
peatedly asked your agent to make
the changes in your tenement that
the law demands. He has refused to
do so. You have returned to the city
after long absence, and have taken
the first opportunity to compel you to
rebuild your tenement
Il am delighted to do what can
for YOU" he began.
For me-" The girls lips were
set and her face was white Not for
me-for those wretched, i'll, poverty
stricken tenants OF yours. For them
the law viii make YOU do something.
Will you cone with me to the Justice
Of the peace?'
In the office of the Justice Of the
peace Miss Calvin formally stated her
case. Leonard Gordon promptly plead
ed guilty to each charge Miss Calvin
asked that the maximum fine be i'm
posed. Gordon requested the aston
ished magistrate to do as Miss Calvin
asked. He promptly wrote check
for the entire amount.
A few days later Elizabeth Cal
vim was standing on the side
walk looking at the half-fnished
apartment house that Gordon was
erecting on the site of his con-
demned tenement. Gordon stood on
a scaffolding looking down at her. He
waved his hand. She paid no atten-
ton. He took off his hat and waved
1t around his head The glance she
gave him was as impersonal as II he
were part Of the scaffolding He
waved his hat in wider circle, lost
his balance and fell to the ground.
With cry of horror Elizabeth ran
to him. He lay white and silent. She
laid her ear close to his lips. The
faintest breath touched it. For an
instant she pressed her cheek against
his, which was no whittier than her
own. Then she called the workmen.
Yet few days later and Gordon
Leonard pale and thin, one arm in a
sling, entered Elizabeth's Office.
you are going to marry me-" he an.
Her lips curled. Marry you! In.
deed mott
You love me-"
Il do not. l detest you. l hate you
and, the class to which you belong"
II you do not love me. why did you
kiss me as I lay apparently dead on
the. site of my wretched old tene-
ment?"
II did not" she began Indignantly.
There was sound behind her. The
mayor had entered from the adjoining
office. Il heard all you two said he
fore l realized had no right to be
here at this time," he said. But, hav-
ing heard. l shall say something to
you. Miss Calvin" He was an elder
ly man, with years of kindly living
stamped on his shrewd face. Il want
to tell you that, good and noble as you
are, you are most uncharitable and
narrow. Leonard is a good boy 1t
was not his fault that people we're
III and unhappy in his house. He in.
herited that house a short time be-
fore you came here. He was abroad
and his agent could do nothing He
started home at once to see what sort
Of quarters his tenants were living in.
learned only after l had made you
4 policewoman that he had given or
1ers for the building to be torn down
He let you arrest him because You are ,
SO pretty, and he thought it good
way to get acquainted. l feel it my ,
1uty to tell you this"
The door closed behind the mayor
Elizabeth sat with her eyes on the
ioor. Her lips were tightly com
pressed.
Don't lsok that way. You look
Is if you hated me more than ever"
Elizabeth raised her eyes to his. |
I hate" she said slowly, Il hate the
sgotistical, narrow-minded girl who
nisjudged you. But ! must have
Known down in my heart that you |
we're good, because | did care for
Tou..
Then as Gordon caught her in his |
me sound arm she whispered: Il !
lidn't kiss you when you were hurt |
only touched yorr cheek didn't /
Kiss you because-because when /
ouched your cheek found you were