The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-21


He asked me all kinds of questions.
About the business here?"
Mostly, and about how had taken
hold of the business. He acted pleased
and interested when l told him that
there was no doubt now but that by
the end of the year l would have the
last debt paid. He talked about poor
dead uncle, too. Said he knew him.
When he went away he said l was
proving myself brave little business
woman and deserved all kinds of sue
cess"
We'll. that is encouraging com
mented Burton cheeringly. The man
10 probably some travelling salesman
trying to find out II it is safe to sell
you goods"
About week later q novelty man
came along with bankrupt stock of
cheap kitchen cutlery. Annie was fully
conservative, but the idea was strong
In her mind that she could manage
. bargain sale. For two evenings Bur
ton worked on plan of advertising.
The success Of this bargain sale
was phenomenal, the profits unexpect.
eddy large.
Dear! dear! 1 believe l am the
happiest girl in all the world" de-
clared Annie, after a second and even
more profitable special SALE" Bur
ton, dear. over half the old debts are
already paid OF and there is enough
in the bank to settle all the rest, and,
would you believe it. small surplus"
You are simply the most wonder
full girl in the world" enthused Bur.
ton.
Just week after the mysterious
visit of the old man so full of inquiries,
Annie got ready to close up the store
one evening. 1t was the first, except
Sundays, since she had assumed
charge Of the business. Burton had
convinced her that they both had
earned brief vacation. There was
dramatic entertainment of unusual
interest in the next town and they had
decided to attend the same.
Oh dear." exclaimed Annie, as she
followed Burton, carrying in some of
the samples of tools exhibited on a
stand outside the store door
What is it ?" inquired Burton quick
ly.
"A man-see, there he is now. hover
ing in the next doorway. He peered
out at me so strangely"
What are you lurking about here
for" demanded Burton, stepping
promptly past Annie and staring fixed
ly at form shrinking from view in
the Swallowed doorway near by.
A muffled chuckle answered him.
It was a man who had caused the
alarm and the large sheltering hat he
wore concealed his features.
you had better move on" directed
Burton.
There was more chuckling Then
the lurker proceeded to do a strange
thing. He tore off his hat with a sort
of triumphant swing of his arm and
what sounded to Burton like a mufiied
cheer. He darted past the astonished
Burton. He ran directly up to the
futtering girl storekeeper.
'Amie!" he shouted, only that. one
look, and Annie reeled and then ut
tered a wild glad cry.
"Oh, 1t cannot be-uncle. and alive!"
Il hope SO, l think SO, I know sol"
crowed the dead alive" MY brave
loyal girl! I've kept track Of you
during the past week Of my conva-
lescence. You, too. Burton Stacey, and
I'm proud Of you both"
In form and substance It was John
Fuller. His story of terrible injuries
in the wreck, of q miraculous rescue
by strangers was soon told. He had
gone to the city to sell securities to
cancel the debt Annie had paid. He
still had the securities.
Il am not poor" he boosted, and
now, my more than children, the we'd
ding-and the quicker it comes OF the
better will I be pleased"
Copyright, 1915. by w. G. Chapman)