The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-27
PEpPERcoRN,
PIcKLER

PERFORM in amaZement. MUTE
Yes. dad. One must spend none!
to get into good society. Gold is the
key that opens every portal. Already
thanks to Sir Guillaume, / have made
many excellent friends"
Seems to me, my lad, as ne HAN
in a pretty pickin' out O you.
why, he has introduced me 10 no
end of first-class people, and II we
join the board of his new company
shall be certain to meet with many
more. There is draft of the pros
pectus, dad" said he, handing the pa
per to his father. What do you MINK
of it,"
"Well, / don't know much about
prospectuses an shares an SIGH 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 right
to be proud of it. But there is no
reason that your mouth should be al
ways full Of"
pickles, Ell? Ha, ha! Well p'r'aps
not But it's natural, after all, 10
think of old friends. But let's look
at your prospectus. 'Hyacinths, Lin
tied Umph! Sounds pretty well.
This company is formed to take up con-
| cessions for the collection of bulbs
from the battlefelds of South Africa
Managing director, Sir Cullen 'AwKs-
leigh"
| "Oh, yes; it sounds very fine. But
is it any good? viii it pay?'
| "Sir Guillaume assures me there is
money in it. I've promised to take
1000 shares, dad, and the object OF
the baronets visit is to induce you TO
take up similar number and join the
boa ID. But whichever way you de-
eide, l want you to be especially nice
to Sir Guillaume and his daughter,
You don't mean to say that he's
bringing his daughter here? Is she
in the bulb business. too?"
dad, Alicia is lady. | love her to
distraction, and so will you when you
see her She is the most beauti-
| full"
"Umph Andsome is as 'andsome
does What about your old sweet
heart, Polly? Have you spoke to
Polly? Have you told her of this en-
gagement?"
"Why-er-no, not yet" said Bob
uneasily 81 have not had chance
You'll have one of my roses, won't
you, nunky, dear?" said Polly, entering
from the garden. "There-isn't 1t q
beauty? But what's the 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 Guillaume and his daughter en-
tered and said Let me introduce
you Alicia-Sir Guillaume-this is my
father"
1.-The pictures are NICE amt they?"
said Peter. Real lie paintins, every
one of EN-"
1.-THE old mans fool"
|
Bob, Il have already spoken to my
father concerning the bulbs"
"Ah!" said Peter. "Talkin' of bulbs
Miss 'Awksleigh, while you're in the
garden, just make Bob show you our
onions. We've got the nobbiest lot
Of"
Onions" said Alicia, with shud
der. "Malodorous, vulgar abomina
tons"
"Halloa, dad" said Bob, entering
hastily; here you are. Here's wire
for you"
Peter stood with his head sunken
upon his breast and his hands thrust
deep into his breaches pockets.
The telegram had read: "Interna
tional suspended payment. Utter col
lapse"
With a suppressed oath Bob crushed
the telegram in his hand and strobe
to the mantelpiece. where he stood
: his head resting on his hands, the pic
ture of despair.
Sir Guillaume gave his daughter {
: significant glance. Come, Alicia, m,
dear" said he, moving toward tn,
I door. Il think we had better with
draw"
|. Ruined! Ruined" cried Bob, a.
I he flung himself into chair.
5 who's ruined?" asked Polly, enter
= ing at that moment. "Why-Bob-
uncle-what's the natter"
i Read it there" said he, handing he
I the crumpled telegram.
Slowly she smoothed it out and rea,
the fatefui words. Then, brushing tn
tears from her eyes. she cried, hope
fully. Never mind, Bob. You ar
young; you can make fresh start.
:. have a little money-not much-onl
81 900 granny left me; but 1t is your
If you will take it-every penny"
The young man vouchsafed no ar
z swer, and Polly was turning sadl
a away when Peter, crossing to his SON
|. side, said: Bob, amt your eyes ope
l. YETI"
Yes, dad, they are" he crieC
i springing up. They are. to my ow
u folly. have been blinded hitherto
n dazzled by outward show. Polly, dea
can you forgive me-"
4 forgive you, Bob. all | have to 70
e give. There's my hand
Back to the pickle tubs-eh. dad
J. Not a bit of it. my lad But sine
a Polly's goin' to be mistress in re;
r earnest she must have better hous
y than this, and"
sspf,f rOtt Tha