The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-19

sanction 1t. It was only after ter
rible scene, In which Cynthia lied
brazenly about the work she was to
do, that her husband consented. And
that was because he knew that il they
couldn't earn this money it meant that
Cynthia must die Of the lung trouble
that was becoming obvious.
Three nights passed, during which
period Charley thought his wife was
simply q passenger in a racing auto
mobile. On the fourth he went to the
circus and discovered the truth. Then
there was another scene. He even
went to the manager. but that worthy
showed him the agreement and
laughed in his face.
mo money till Saturday." he said.
III she don't stay out the week she
don't get a penny"
Cynthia stayed out that week, and
another. and most of the third. This
was the last night, the last Saturday,
and Charley had pleaded with her to
let the weeks salary go and be con-
tent with the six hundred.
But three hundred dollars seemed q
stir price to pay for q single night,
and at last he sullenly acquiesced. But
when Cynthia had gone he sat In their
room overwhelmed with the fears that
would insist in creeping upon him.
numbing his brain and paralyzing his
courage.
The last night! Reason told him
that no harm could come to her, and
yet in his minds eye was . picture Of
that awful leap Of the heavy automo-
bile through space. He saw Cynthia
upside down. strapped helpless, the
automobile missing the track and hurl-
ing its tons Of metal through the air.
pinning Cynthia beneath the wreck
age. She would have no chance at all;
she would never even know that she
had died.
The sweat dripped from his brow.
He remembered their happy life to-
gether. On Monday they had planned
to start for the West with their nine
hundred dollars. He had already re-
signed his position. Now 1t
was unbearable.
The fearful premonition would not
down; 1t grew and grew until it be.
came certainty. At last he flung on
his hat and ran down the stairs, out
into the street, and toward the circus
entrance.
Something had seemed to snap in
his heart, and he was sure now that
Cynthia was dead. He tore, painting
along the street, reached the side door
Of the circus, and tried to force his
way past the doorkeeper.
Nov then, young feller," remon
strated that bemedaled functionary.
my wife!" gasped Charley; but the
doorkeeper saw in him only a jealous
husband who had come perhaps to Gre
ate disturbance within. And Charley
was too incoherent to explain. He
struggled. The doorkeeper tried .tc
fling him out Circus hands came run
ming up.
Il tell you my wife's.in there!'
gasped the frantic man. She's dead
She's in the dip Of death. She"
They thought he was q madmar
now. And suddenly, as they were
forcing him to the door, Cynthia stood
before him. radiant.
Charley" she cried. "This is my
husband! How dare you strike him
Charley, what is It? Why
you were afraid for mel"
He fell back, fainting from the re
, action, while, under her directions the
doorkeeper, changed from a lion to q
lamb, famed the mans face and
tapped him in kindly fashion upon the
shoulder.
"Ycu didn't have an accident ?
gaspod Charley Askew family.
"Why, no, DEAR" cried his wife
"And I've got the money, too. Three
hundr ed dollars-ard we leave for the
West Monday"
"Whoop!" shouted Charley, spring
ing upon his feet and trying to EN-
brace the doorkeeper. But that func
tionary had discreetly withdrawn. 81
Charley kissed the next most acces
sible person-whom he had offer
/ kissed before.