The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-01
HIDDEN HOUSE
BY ClARISSA MACklE

Remember, Jack, the man has been
in prison for twenty years-once he
was a great politician, rich man,
| respected by all-but he was found
out in big steal. He's done time and
now he is out. What is he going to
do with the rest of his life? Bring me
the story-and you'll get yours, see?"
The chief smiled and Jack hustled
away to catch the first train for re-
mote Long Island village, where it
, was said Roberts was in hiding.
At Sandyways Jack guardedly ques-
toned the host of the solitary hotel.
He reasoned that Lawson Roberts
would seek sanctuary under an as
sumed name.
MANY strangers in town." repeated
the hotel man, thoughtfully nibbling
a toothpick. Cant say as there are
all the boarders have gone. ! reckon
you're an agent of some kind-maybe
selling books?"
Jack smiled evasively.
"I'll bet there's one old party you
couldn't sell book to-not If you was
to take off 80 per cent of the price,"
went on the man.
who is he?"
Names Robin son-taken the old
Hidden house-used to be Judge Hid.
den's place. Celia Hidden married
Lawson Roberts, the Politician; he's
in prison now for crooked dealing.
His wife died ten years ago and the
place belongs to the daughter. It's
never been rented until recently, when
Mrs. Hester Bird rented it, No one
ever heard of her before; and now
her brother, old man Robinson, and
his daughter have arrived. And
they're all as close-mouthed and up
pish as can be; as if Sandyways folks
weren't good enough for them. And
stingy-whew!"
We'll, you're not very encouraging"
responded Jack with bored air as he
moved away. But when he was out
OF sight his pace quickened. The
first urchin he met directed him to
Hidden house on the outskirts of the
village.
He approached the side entrance to
the gloomy old house, passing a small,
rustic summerhouse smothered in
woodbine.
Haiti" said a determined voice.
Jack halted to confront a wicked
looking shotgun leveled by sweet
faced! wide-eyed girl boyishly attired
in short khaki skirt and blouse, with
high-laced tan boots on her pretty
feet
His hat came off and his look of
inquiry was mingled with sincere ad-
miration.
Perhaps you didn't observe the No
Trespassing signs" she remarked
coolly
81 didn't" he honestly confessed.
They are plainly to be seen," she
said significantly. you can read them
as you pass out"
Thanh you-but l want to see some
one."
who are you looking for?" she
asked sharply.
"Mr.-Roberts." he hazarded.
Her face paled and desperate look
came into the sweet eyes that should
never have been troubled by sorrow.
You mean Mr.. Robinson?" she
asked
II mean Lawson Roberts" he said.
feeling like brute.
The gun dropped suddenly as II her
strength had failed her.
Il might have known It! You want
to interview him. suppose? He has
paid the price Of his sin-let him
alone!" she cried passionately.
"My-my paper" he stammered,
abashed at her emotion.
Your paper!" she mimicked. What
Is 1t to your paper what my father
does now that justice has been salts
fled? No one would listen to him
when he protested his innocence in
those old days." How scornfully she
looked at him!
Hardly that" he said brusquely.
He looked sharply down the path. The
bent form Of man was hobbling pain.
fully down the walk.
He is like child" she said tremu.
lously. HE has been shut away from
the world SO long. and now everything
is strange to him. will not have him
bounded by curiosity seekers! I will
Kill the first man who tries to inter-
view him!" She ended in a fierce
outburst that was strangely unlike
her gentle personality.
WI un Dbl
slowly. Some day I'm coming back
again. not as a reporter to interview
your father, but as a friend to help
provs his innocence!"
"Ah, thank you-but stay now and
hear his story of the guilty man." she
cried eagerly.
He shook his head Il must throw
up my present job before can tackle
another one." he smiled and went
away.
Afterward. when a great criminal
lawyer took up the Roberts case and
proved the innocence of the old man,
all credit was given to Jack Shirley
for his strenuous efforts in the case.
and when Jack married Celia Roberts
people said he had his great reward,
The editor of the Chronicle NUT
tered maledictions on womankind in
general and pretty girls in particular.
Il wondered what queered that
Roberts assignment" he frowned. at
was the girl in the easel"
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndicate)
The Idea.
What's a philanthropist, PAP"