The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-01

Forester looked up with wild start.
"How-where-what do you want!"
stammered forth the old man. astare
This" retorted Tip tersely, and one
hand closed over a heap of bonds and
cash. "Whoa!" and his other revealed
q revolver, and Forester covered
back. Go slow, old man. A cry or
move and you get lead for your gold
and Tip thrust the fistful of plumber
into his pocket Nov. then. out with
your jewelry."
"Jewelry? Me! I've got NO jewel
r."
"Oh, yes you have" disputed Tip.
You've got a ring set with diamonds
and pearls, an old family heirloom.
know all about 1t. PRODUCED" and the
weapon clicked ominously.
The old man was fairly paralyzed
with terror. He groaned. his hands
trembled as he unlocked . drawer In
the desk and took out an old tin box
and from 1t produced an ancient cir
clet set with large diamond and
some exquisite pearls. There were
some other minor trinkets. but to
these Tip paid no attention.
DO not make Of me q pauper!'
breathed the old man, clasping his
hands in desperation. The few thou.
sands in money and securities are all
I have"
"Old man." spoke Tip coolly. Tive
got your wealth and mean to keep It.
unless"
Eyes! yes unless?" gasped Forres.
tor eagerly.
"Unless you do Just as l say. This
can all be between US and you get
your bonds back, or vanish, and you
are beggared. Listen" and Tip re-
cited his determination to secure the
ring which the daughter Of his kind
almoner rightly owned. You will en-
close 1t in q box directed to Miss
Dale. You will write to her. here
now, . letter, saying that you gladly
send to her on her wedding day her
rightful property"
Yes, yes-and them"
Eat the end of a week, II I find
you have not tried to get it back and
act decent with the young lady, I will
return to you the money and bonds.
"Oh, will you. surely return the
money!" pleaded the distracted For
roster.
"You have the word of an honor
able man." returned Tip sternly. and
enjoying really the one redeeming act
in his erratic life.
Early the next morning little boz
and q letter was left at the Dale
home by Tip. Eloise went fairly wilt
over the coveted trinket and the con
graduating words of the relative es
tranged from her family for Ave years
Tip Farrell made himself scarce
and Forester sat ON thorns and net
ties of suspense and hope for Q week
There was one glad CLEAN Of new in
terest in his life, however. Eloise hat
come to thank him for the ring. {
reconciliation had taken place and tn.
old man emerged from his selfish sur
| illness.
One afternoon he was seated in hi
| garden conversing with Eloise ant
her husband, who came often to SCI
him. when a voice called his name
At the gate stood Tip Farrell. He ex
tended a package to the old man.
There's your goods, all of them,
he said simply. Il say, my friend
there's more than one kind of thieve,
in the world. You've been the wors
kind Of specimen"
II" stammered Forester.
yes. stealing happiness from you
own life and the lives Of others fol
the love Of money. II looks, though
as II you had cut that out some. Keey
it up. As an humble instrument O.
bringing you to your senses in doini
good deed, I'm half inclined to re
form myself Good.by."
And Tip Farrell swung jauntil,
down the street. and went out Of tn,
life of the charming young bride, whs
never knew what spoiled weddini
cake had done for her.
|