The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-12
FOR Her SWEET SAKE
ey FRANK EVANS.

Before Tom Graves had been IN the
teller's cage twenty-four hours ne 70
allied that something was wrong Win
Van Loeuw's methods. On the Sec
ond day he was sure of it.
Van Loeuw and he had entered tne
bank within q week Of each otner'
Van Loeuw was q college graduate
while Tom was only the sen OF coun'
try storekeeper. That ought not 10
make any difference worth noticing IN
America. but everyone knows 1t does
in large country towns ike
Roxbury.
II made this difference in particu-
lar: Van Loeuw was privileged 70
call on Mildred Lesson. the president
daughter, to dine at her house ara
take her driving in the automobile ne
owned. Whereas. Tom Graves. VINO
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 kind
ly way, which Tom usually missed, De-
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 1t:
when I'm president Of the bank I'll
take care of you, Tom," he said. I'll
see that you get better job"
Tom would swallow his feelings
then and turn to his books.
Now, it was a fact that something
was seriously wrong. Tom soon dis
covered that it was not mistake, to
be picked up and rectified with few
hours OF extra work. After two weeks
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
most intricate system that any thief
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 Lceuw 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.
cts no COMPOUNDED business of
yours
Perhaps net" admitted Tom. But
] know it now, and I've got to 60 to
Lesson"
81 tell you can pay it back"
snarled Van Loeuw.
mo-" answered Tom. an have to
60 to Leeson-unless you do"
Van Loeuw rose up. ashen white.
"My God" he cried. what will be.
come of Mildred? Don't you know
she thinks the world of me?"
Tom sank down again. whittier than
the other man. Yes. he knew she did
When at lest he spoke there was an
air Of unusual decision about him
ivan Loeuw," he said. ~ take the
blame for this. will YOU swear always
to run straight in future? 1t 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 as true
as STEEL And I'll make II worth youl
while"
Good night" said Tom. coldly.
He went into Mr.. Lessons ONCE thu
following morning. Van Loeuw hat
not appeared at the bank. and he wa:
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 sen,
for you," said the bank president. ris
ing. I'VE have made an unfortunate
discovery"
YES" answered Tom. T wish t.
inform you. sir. that I have embe1
zled $4,000 Of the banks funds"
The door opened and . womal
came in. Tom started as he saw Mi
dred. This made II doubly hard. Blu
he was prepared to play his part t
the end now.
Mildred. will you come here a mi
ment?" asked Mr.. Lesson. to Tom
amazement. please sit down. Nj
Graves has lust been informing m
that serious ENLIGHTENMENT OF ban
funds is to be placed to his discredit
Papa" began the girl. and Tol
saw that her face was drawn an
! white. and her eyes red.
you are sure Of your statement
J Graves?" inquired Mr.. Lesson. turl
ing to Tom.
, II should hardly have come here
] were not" answered Tom angrily.
1T is very strange" said tn
banker. shaking his head. You Sc
Mr.. Van Loeuw, who is now beir
sought for. wrote me letter inforr
ing me Of the facts. assuming the r
sponsibil!ty, and stating that you pr
posed to bear the blame. l unde
stand that he had a spasm OF CO
science after my daughter had brougl