The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-17
THE WINNER
BY AUGUSTUS G. sHERvtM.
Copyright. 1914. by W. G. Chapman

well, boys" spoke Stephen Dale In
brisk hearty way. here we all are
and We will now proceed to the d.
vision Of the spoils!"
His three elder sons, Henry, Claud
and Montgomery, looked impressed
and eager. His youngest, Jack, smiled
in half pleased interest.
The four sons sat at table facing
their father, who had at his elbow .
pile Of documents and q check book.
Il have brought you all together"
he now announced, TO tell you that.
having all Of you reached mans e.
tate, it is time that you should assume
some personal independence and re-
sponsibility. I'm not going to leave
my estate SO that there will be .
family squabble over it. I'm going to
divide it up. Here. Now. Fairly"
Claud, the lawyer, who had changed
his name to Claudius. because he
fancied it sounded more classical,
pricked up his ears and looked serious
'In tell you at the start" pursued
the indulgent father. that whoever
takes Idlewild here. the family home,
will be the wise fellow in the end
You can have your choice, Claud,
being the eldest-the home or $685.
600 cash"
"H'm!" observed Claudius gravely,
with q vast political future ahead Of
me. the ready cash will best help me
reach the destined goal Of my ambi-
ton"
very good" nodded Mr.. Dale.
And you. Monty?"
a." replied Montgomery with short
and snappy precision expect to re-
ceive a generals commission in time.
The money will help me get it."
And you, HANK"
II am devoted to club life, in debt
and need fixed cash income, my good
father" he said, so fancy the ready
money would suit me best"
"Of course I'll take the old home, II
I'm lucky enough to deserve it," spoke
bluff honest Jack
Stephen Dale darted a grateful, af-
fectionate glance at his youngest and
favorite son. He drew out the three
checks and passed them around
One word MORE" he spoke, as
their recipients arose to get them
cashed as quickly as possible.
There's something else. See here,
boys, my experience teaches me that
there's nothing SO steadies young
man as getting married. Now then.
to the first one of you who takes a
wife l will give $4,000, to the second
$4,000, to the third, $4,000 and to the
last, $1,000. BY the way" he added,
suggestive twinkle in his merry eye,
I'm thinking you won't have to look
far to find the prettiest heiress in the
country right nigh to hand"
Each one of the three knew whom
he meant-Miss Dalia Bliss, not a
mile away. 1t was said she was to
have half million in her own right.
1t was strange, but each one of the
trio departed determined to call upon
the young lady in question and see
now the land lay.
Two mornings later Claud met Hen.
ry and Monty. He informed them that
he had called upon Miss Bliss the eve.
ming previous. Her father had been
greatly interested in his long talk
about the law.
Then Monty in undress military uni.
form went to see the heiress.
Hen1y's turn followed. He fancied
he was irresistible and languidly in.
formed his brothers that he believed
he would take the girl on a chance.
Miss Bliss had beensdreadfully EN-.
barrassed at being taken by storm by
three impetuous suitors Then she
had told them in her pretty, artless
way that she was already engaged.
About three o'clock one afternoon
Jack. plain, simple. transformations
Jack to the end of the chapter, direct.
ing some men in parking roadway
running through the estate, looking
over in the direction of the Bliss home
had noted blue ribbon 6uttering
from one of its windows. He quietly
left the direction of the workmen to
one of their number. In q few min.
utes Jack had gained the hedge separ.
ating the two estates.
Soon Dalia appeared. Certainly Jack
was her friend. that she should signal
him and now make confidant of him,
and pour into the willing ears the
story Of her persecution by three great
overgrown boys!
And such nice brothers of yours
they are" she told Jack.
What a terrible escape they have
had in evading the wiles OF a young
lady who is not duly awed by their
grandeur and importance" smiled
Jack.
1t was the next morning that the
three city brothers were ready to de-
part They were just completing
breakfast when Jack made the re-
mark:
Father, If you don't mind, I think
l will run up to the city with the
boys
Surely, son." responded Mr.. Dale.
You will need some money, sup
pose?"
NO, have enough for the one pur-
chase intend to make assured Jack.
It's a ring, father" and he darted a
teasing glance at the lawyer, the SOL
der and the fop-'a ring for Miss
Bliss. You see we have been engaged
for the last six months"
"Ha! ha! hal" chuckled old Ste