The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-29
FOR her SWEET SAKE
BY FRANK EVANS.

Before Tom Graves had been In the
teller's cage twenty-four hours he ~
allied that something was wrong with
Van Loeuw's methods. On the sec.
ond day he was sure Of it.
Van Loeuw and he had entered the
bank within q week of each other.
Van Loeuw was . college graduate,
while Tom was only the son Of q coun. |
try storekeeper. That ought not to
make any difference worth noticing I'M
America, but everyone knows It does. !
especially in large country towns like !,
Roxbury.
It made this difference in particu- |
lar: Van Loeuw was privileged to
call on Mildred Lesson, the presidents
daughter, to dine at her house and
take her driving in the automobile he
owned. Whereas, Tom Graves. who
had. in his boyhood, often served Miss
Mildred behind the counter Of his IA
TIERS store, could scarcely gather up
his courage to look like an ordinary
man when she bowed to him in the
street; and then, seeing his confusion,
Mildred would smile again, In Q kind.
ly way, which Tom usually missed, DO
cause his eyes were on the ground.
Everybody said that Tom was Of
the kind that are born to be drudges
and to work for men like Van Loeuw.
Van Loeuw never doubted that he
was destined to marry Mildred and
step into her fathers shoes. He told
Tom about It.
when I'm president Of the bank I'll
take care Of you, Tom," he said. "1'll
see that you get a better job"
Tom would swallow his feelings
then and turn to his books.
Now, it was q fact that something
was seriously wrong. Tom soon dis.
covered that 1t was not q mistake, to
be picked up and rectified with few
of night work he traced back the error
to something that had begun two
years before. In short, there was .
defalcation Of $4,000. and the man
who was responsible for it had hidden
his trail beneath the cleverest and
| uiOol IutiiCotc syStCAA tuot ohy SuAOA
had ever devised.
Two years ago! That was when
Van Loeuw bought his automobile!
But Tom did not think of that. He
resolved to tell Van Loeuw Of his dis
covery and ask his advice He did
so. and when he saw the CHASTITY pal.
Tor upon the mans face the hideous
suspicion came home to him.
tom. I'll see you at your place to-
night" said Van Loeuw. IL want
to speak to you"
Van Loeuw came into Toms room
at eight o'clock and flung himself down
in a chair.
what did you want to NEEDLE with
the books for?" he began angrily.
IT'S no COMPOUNDED business Of
yours"
perhaps not" admitted Tom. "But
} know it now. and I've got to 90 to
Lesson"
"I tell you I can pay II back "
snarled Van Loeuw.
NO." answered Tom. "I'll have to
go to Leeson-unless you do"
Van Loeuw rose up, ashen white
my Cod" he cried, what will be-
come Of Mildred? Don't you know
she thinks the world Of met"
Tom sank down again, whittier than
the other man. Yes, he knew she did
When at last he spoke there was an
air of unusual decision about him.
ivan Loeuw," he said, ~ I take the
blame for this. will you swear always
to run straight in future? It doesn't
matter to me, you know. For Miss
Lessons sake"
You'll say you stole the money!
cried Van Loeuw, incredulously
TON, I always knew you were ~ true
as steel And I'll make It worth your
WHILE"
Good night" said Tom, coldly.
He went into Mr.. Lessons once the
following morning. Van Loeuw had
not appeared at the bank. and he wal
forced to close the cage when he wen,
out. Fortunately, depositors were few
in the first hours Of morning.
"Ah. Graves, I was going to send
for you." said the bank president, ris
ing. I'VE have made an unfortunate
discovery"
"Yes," answered Tom. 81 wish "a
inform you, sir, that I have embez
Sled $4,000 of the banks funds"
The door opened and q woman
came in. Tom started as he saw Mil
dfed. This made II doubly hard. But
he was prepared to play his part ID
the end now
Mildred, will you come here a mo
ment?" asked Mr. Lesson, to Toms
amazement. please sit down. Mr.
Graves has just been informing me
that a serious embezzlement Of bani'
funds is to be placed to his discredit u
Papa" began the girl, and Tom
saw that her face was drawn and
white, and her eyes red
You are sure Of your statements
Graves" inquired Mr.. Leeson, turn.
ing to Tom.
II should hardly have come here II
I were not" answered Tom angrily.
1T is very strange" said the
banker, shaking his head. You see,
Mr.. Van Loeuw, who is now being
sought for. wrote me letter inform
ing me OF the facts. assuming the re
sponsibility, and stating that you pro
posed to bear the blame. I under
stand that he had a spasm Of con.
science after my daughter had brought
him to his senses by refusing"
"Papa!" cried Mildred, blushing fu.
riously.
We'll, my dear" said the banker,
| Hiain3 "nerhana whan L am 3ona MN