The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-27

as sure as rate"
But, dear, you know how obstinate
your father is"
Il know, but we can't let him he in
need. There ought to be some way Of
getting his money back for him. even
II 1t does destroy his faith in George"
They put their heads together, and
after a while heroic. desperate plan
occurred to Charles. He loved his ia.
ther. in spite of the old mans be-
havior toward him. and he did not in.
tend to let his brother George despoil
him - especially as he suspected
George of being interested in a good
many shady propositions.
! AS matter of fact, George, who
had not seen his brother for ten years,
had never meant that circular to fall
into his hands. It had been an over
sight of one of his girls. 1t was not
Georges interest to arouse any sus-
picions in his brother, whom he de.
spised, until he had made good on his
coup and betaken himself with his vic.
TINS money to another land.
| On the following Monday Henry
Pentland stepped out of the train at
the central station and made his way
toward his sons Office. He had seen
Georges new handsome suite where
his companies had their headquarters.
He had wondered at the stenographers
and addressers at their desks, at the
mahongany fittings Of the interior Of
flee, and any doubts which might have
existed in his mind as to the security
Of his capital had been Immediately
dispelled. George seemed in his ia.
Tiers eyes the most wonderful man
in the world He contrasted him scorn.
fully with stay-at-home Charles, who
had never done anything but keep q
store.
AS he assembled in the elevator the
old man looked without much inter-
est at the middle-aged man that &C.
companied him. The two entered the
Office together. AN investor" the
farmer thought A girl rose and came
toward them, but the middle-aged man
brushed past her and coolly made his
way into the inner room. The girl
hesitated and then took Henry Pent.
lands name.
I'm just his father-Ill watt" said
the old man.
At that moment he heard an oath
from within, the sound Of q falling
chair. Instantly the dread suspicion
flashed upon him that the stranger
had injured George. He knew that
tinanciers we're greatly hated by the
Unsuccessful. he had always feared
for Georges life when the papers
were filled with denunciations Of the
wealthy, and mob orators INDUCED In
wild declarations. Overcome with
fear, he plunged into the inner room
to see George standing at bay de-
family, the stenographer upon her
feet in terror, and the bearded, mid
dle-aged man confronting George dra'
matically.
He did not take his eyes from
George, but called to Henry to come
in and close the door.
I'm the United States marshal fol
this federal district" he explained
quietly, land l am instructed to place
the government seal upon everything
here. Kindly do not attempt to leave
this room. II Is not necessary to
create panic outside. ! will take the
books and ask for Mr. Pentlsnd's com
pany to the federal jail"
What's my son done?" besought
the old man.
HE is suspected OF having orga
!. nized a crooked concern known as the
Alpha Gold Mining company"
But I've put eighteen thousand
into It," walled Henry Pentland.
I'm afraid you won't see It again.
answered the marshal. Nov, Mr.
Pentland, are you ready?"
See here, George" shouted his IA
Their, lis this all bunk or what?"
He's lying muttered George. bu
without conviction. See here. how
much will you take to give me twelve
hours grace?" he continued, turninl
to the marshal
ooh, George!" moaned Henry Pent
: land. all his ambitious dreams shat
tered You scorndrel. give me m.
eighteen thousand or I'll have yo'
: hauled of to the penitentiary," he con
!, tinued
George Pentland held a short whis
pered colloquy with the marshal. A
;, the end of that time he sat down ant
= wrote out a check, which he tosse'
across the table to his father. It wa
. for eighteen thousand dollars.
:, Take it, and don't let me see you
!, face again." he snarled, and, clappinl
on his hat, he strobe out Of the Office
= The marshal took the old man b.
:. the arm.
ITS made out to bearer" he said
taking up the check, land we'll go ant
!. get it cashed before closing hour
Fifteen minutes later Henry Pent
:, land. with eighteen thousand dollar
o in bills upon his person, entered a cat
9 I'll never forget your kindness
: never" he sobbed to the fedora
a marshal THAT scoundrel robbed m
h. of my hard-earned savings, and
a trusted him completely. Now, he's n
longer son of mine. ! cast him OF
E. I've got another son, but amt trea'
ed him well. and ! can't rightly e,
meet him to have anything to do wit
:, me. But-eh?"
- For the marshal. stepping into tn
;, cab pulled the beard from his face
"a ~ 49, fa,turoc of-Charloa