The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-28
THE PEARLS
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


Sylvester Smith was a college J
friend of Frederick, senior in the
latter's freshman year and much old
er. But they had had a life-saving
seance one time-eitherFrede had
saved Sylvester or the other way
round-but it had cemented the friend
ship, so it doesn't matter.
Since then Sylvester Smith had
been frequent visitor at the Prices
and Phyllis was afraid of him, al.
though he was big and handsome and
very nice, indeed. He had sent candy
to Phyllis at school until the string
Of little brass spoons that came in
each box reached from the chandelier
to the floor and Phyllis was confront
ed by dyspepsia. But she knew that
he thought Of her only as Fred's lit
tie sister, and it ranked. The worst
of it was that graduating and long
dresses and just lately her coming
out party had not made a bit of diff
ference to him. He seemed to think
her as much of child as ever, and
it was humiliating to say the least,
to have him happen here just now.
Phyllis sat belligerently silent while
the others related narrowing incidents
of train robberies and hapless maid
ems who lost things.
But men can be robbed as easily
as girls" she cut in finally, land they
! are, too"
Sylvester came to the rescue-that
is, Phyllis thought he was going to
when he began. He looked so big and
capable, standing with his back to the
blazing logs, his hands behind him.
81 do not believe you need to be
alarmed about Phyllis taking her jew
elry with her. But, after all, Mr..
Price, have better plan. am 60
ing to Providence myself on Friday
on some insurance business and shall
be delighted to play messenger.
will take Phyllis pearls if you like
"The very thing" nodded Mrs. Price
approvingly.
Bully commended Frederick.
THAT is a fine idea," assented Mr..
Price.
Phyllis flung out OF the room. She
had been betrayed.
Phyllis took the Friday morning
train. Frederick said "Good-by" as
the train pulled out of the station.
At the same moment, a man catapult.
ed on to the platform at the opposite
end of the car. Still painting from his
exertion, he glanced at the section
numbers and dropped himself into the
seat directly in front of Phyllis, with.
out noticing her. But Phyllis had a
distinct shock when she recognized
Sylvester Smith.
A sudden suspicion dawned upon
her. II will bet a nickel some OF my
blessed family asked him to look after
me-" Then, after few minutes sne
decided that he was making no effort
to locate her. He was evidently alb
sorbed in a book.
very well, then, shall just ex-
actly not let on that / am" Phyllis
caught her breath and sat up very
straight. Thrown over the back OF
his own seat was the mans overcoat
folded wrong side out and fat, in.
teresting looking wallet was projecting
an inch or so from pocket.
Phyllis giggled, Then, making sure
that no one was watching, she changed
her seat to the one facing her. She
laid her head against the overcoat
and, pretending to arrange her hair
drew the wallet deity from its rest
ing place and slid it into her bag.
On Saturday night the Linsters
were giving ball in honor of Phyllis
All day Sylvester had not appeared
He came. wild eyed and excited, just
as the guests were arriving. A serv
. ant showed him into the smoking
room, and Phyllis, beautiful but jewel
, less. came to life there.
Phyllis" he cried, 81 have LOST
them"
} mot the pearls!" she protested.
/ Eyes. They were stolen, think, or
the train. have hunted all night and
all day. The police haven't clue
r There seems to be no hope. ! had
them with most of my money in my
r wallet. The whole business is gone
What will you think of me-"
r Phyllis looked at him silently mo
: ment. Her head was very high anG
his was bowed with dismay. Hell
heart was beating wildly, but on hel
lips was little triumphant smile
Here was this big, strong, dominating
| masculine afraid of ''the baby She
| wanted to kiss him and Sian him ri
/ the same time.
, Well she said finally, with sigh
Il guess it cannot be helped. Then
impulsively: Let's ask the fortune
teller. They have one tonight in {
tent in the conservatory. Maybe sh'
will give us clue
Sylvester was puzzled. He had ex
pected storm of tears. But / can
not stay in these clothes he pro
| tested.
| "Oh, yes, you can. Jimmy Linste
, will take you upstairs to his room AMI
rig you up. Meet me in the couserya
tory in half an hour. / VIII sen(
Jimmy in now"
l The fortune teller was not bus,
when the domino and the Goose Cir
came hand in hand to learn their tor
tune. ASK her where the jewels are,
whispered the Goose Girl, after tn,
usual preliminaries. The rortun,
teIler-a pretty girl with white pow
dered hair-Iooked sagely into I
crystal ball and said positively, "Ou