The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-23
pEpPERC0RA,
PIGKL-ER

"What-more? asked Peter rep
percorn. in amazement. More
Yes. dad. one must spend money
to get into good society Gold Is 'lc
key that opens every portal. Already
thanks 10 Sir Guillaume, | have iAaue
many excellent friends.
Seems to me. my lad, as hes max
in a pretty pickin' out o you
why, he has introduced me 10 NJ
end of first-class people, and II we
ioin the board of his new company
shall be certain to meet with many
more. There is a draft of the pros
pectus. dad" said he, handing the pa
per to his father What do you thihh
of it,"
We'll. | don't know much about
prospectuses an shares an slch things
Pickles is more in my line.
Dad, ! wish you wouldn't drag the
shop up at every turn Your business
was a success. and you have rlsht
to be proud of it. But there IS no
reason tina, Your mouth should be al
| IL. lllll VI
pickles. eh? la. ha We'll, praps
not. But it's natural, after all, 70
think of old friends But lets LOOK
at your prospectus Hracinths, Linn
lied. Umph. Sounds pretty well
This company is formed to take up con,
cessions for the collection of bulbs
from the battlAfields Of South Africa
Managing director, Sir Cullen AWks,
leigh. "
ooh, yes; it sounds very fine Rlt
! is il any good? Will it pay?
Sir Guilaume assures me there IS
money in it. I've promised TO take
1000 shares, dad, and the object OF
| the baronet's visit is to induce you 70
take up a similar number and join the
boa d. But whichever way you de
| eide, | want you TO be especially NICE
to Sir Guillaume and his daughter
You don't mean TO say that lie 5
bringing his daughter here? Is she
in the bulb business, TOO?
Dad. Alicia is a lady ! love her to
distraction, and so will you when you
see her. She is the most heanti-
full"
"tfmph, Andsome is as andsome
does What about your old sweet
heart, Polly? Have you spoke to
Polly? Have you told her of this en-
gagemcnt?'
"Why-er--no. not yet. said Bob.
uneasily. II have not had a chance
You'll have one of my roses, won
YOU. nunky. DEAR" said Polly, entering
from the garden. "There-isn't 1t a
beauty? But what's he secret"
why, the fact is, my dear" said her
uncle, with some hesitation. Bob has
something important to say.
What is it, Bob" she asked; but
unheeding the panied look upon her
face, he hurried from the room
In mighty bad humor was Peter Pep
percorn when Bob, accompanied by
Sir Guilaume and his daughter en-
tered and said: Let me introduce
you Alicia Sir Guillaum"-th this is my
father"
The pictures are nice, amt they"
said Peter Real lie paintin's, every
one of EN-
The old mans a fool
'Ry the way. Sir Guillaume, sale
Bob, Il have already spoken to m,
father concerning the bulbs
All" said Peter. "Talkin of bulbs
Miss 'Awksleigh, while you're in th'
garden, just make Bob show You oul
onions We've got the nobbiest 10
Of"
Onions" said Alicia, with a shud
der. "Malodorous, vulgar abomina
tons"
"Haloa, dad" said Bob, entering
hastily; here you are. Here's wlr
for you"
Peter stood with his head sunkel
upon his breast and his hands thrus
deep into his breeches pockets
/ The telegram had read: 'Enterns
tional suspended payment. Utter co
lapse"
With a suppressed oath Bob crushe
the telegram in his hand and strod
to the mantelpiece. where he stood
7 his head resting on his hands, the pie
:, ture of despair
l Sir Guillaume gave his daughter
l significant glance Come. Alicia m
Y dear" said he moving toward tn
z door Il think We had better will
5 draw"
a Ruined, Ruined" cried Bob a
l. he flung himself into a chair.
= Who's ruined" asked Polly, ente
h ing at that moment Why-Bob-
}. uncle-whats the natter"
= Read it there. said he, handing he
g the crumpled telegram.
Q Slowly she smoothed il out and rea
l. the fatefui words. Then, brushing II
o tears from her eyes, she cried, hop
\ fully Never mind. Rob You II
/ young: you can make fresh start
d have little money not much-on
5 81 GOO granny left me. but ii is youl
5 if you will take it--every penny
Y The young man youehsafed no a
= swcr. and Polly was turning sad
II away when Peter crossing 10 his son
side. said Bob. Amt your eyes op,
yet"
Yes. dad. they are. he erie
4. spriuginc ur They are, To my oN
N icly. | have been blinded hitherto
i. dazzled by outward show Polly dea
Al can You forgive me-