The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-26

than affection? And through what
CHASTITY freak of torture had Tessie
not told him! Six hundred dollars!
Somewhat blindly he put out his
hand. Don't let us quarrel. Billie,
he said little thickly. Il will fx II
some way. only put it in as little
Joke on Tess. / thought every one
would know.
Rathbone took his hand and tried
to hide the scorn in his voice: All
right, Bob; but if that is your notion
of fun am sorry for you"
I'm sorry for the little girl" he
returned simply, as Rathbone lett
him.
Alone, he sat, unable to fix his at
tention on business, ashamed even TO
glance through the window.
Along in the afternoon his sister
Dora's husband, man several years
Bobsons senior, walked thoughtfully
into the inner office. Though on the
best of terms, Bobson had a profound
respect for Stewart.
but it seems that for decency's sake
you might have taken some other
way"
Bobson, the chills playing sportively
down his spine, felt what was coming.
But you can't expect me to waive my
rights continued Stewart.
Bobson raised his head to speak but
at his visitors hand, lifted to enJoln
silence, he waited.
1T is not right Of you," resumed
Stewart. You always Dragged, you
know. even to Dora, that Tessie was
the best dressed woman in town.
don't deny that she is; but l meant
to get Dora one or two things to make
her work lighter-a new sewing ma
chine and gas range, when you paid
me, and it is hardly fair that she
should go without these things In or
der to satisfy Tessie's love for dress.
1t was $500. you know"
Four hundred dollars! Indeed, he
did not know. Bobson sprang from
his chair and paced the small Office,
while Stewart grimly waited. He
would not betray Tessie even to the
family, but why, why
Man alive" he exclaimed, "I'll
make it right. Even ii it ruins me"
he muttered. But see here, Stewart,
he continued, II only put that ad n
for joke"
We'll. l hope you will enjoy it." re-
turned Stewart unfeelingly.
Bobson was stunned. business can
go to thunder" said lie between his
clerched teeth, as flinging on his hat
and coat he went by the back way to
his home. Finding the house i2e,,c (.
he enterd by the way of the ceilar--a
trick that he knew.
Tess, Tessie, girl" he called loud
ly, softly, pleadingly, as he searched
each nook of the tiny house. Going
to the telephone he rang up his wife
mother.
she's not here" was the curt re-
ply, and he heard the clica OF the re-
ceiver as it was hung ~. Dismayed
he stood motionless. Tess mother
was clearly veXod at him. She, who
had always taken his part-then he
was indeed forlo"n.
For hours he walked the floor or
flung himself groanine il to a chair to
wait and to plan how to lay debt of
! $1,000 when he had inv sted all that
| his business would PEI, ( in their lit
tie paradise o. hope.
When the mid. - train from Chi
cago pulled into the little station, Bob.
son, who had hitherto been ashamed
, to show himself, was madly pacing the
platform. questioning party of re-
turned theater-goers, the only passen.
gers to get off, whether his wife had
been on the train.
Yes, she has left me, and richly
deserve It," he muttered as he re.
turned home and staggered blindly
into the house. Haggard and worn he
reached his home and switched on
the light.
You're out late, Bobbie," said a
voice, sleepily, and Bobson started and
! diulOst CTleu Oul lTOLu ouccI ucINOus
exhaustion.
Tess, girl!' he cried, dropping on
his knees and clasping the sleepy bun
die of lacey wilderness and vainly
seeking her face, which seemed hid
den by the abundant auburn hair, "can
you ever forgive me? didn't know
that you owed anything On my soul
l didn't 1t was one of my cursedly
idiotic jokes. 1t is my last, you may
be sure"
i Yes, dear, never mind"-the slim
hand passing lovingly through his hail
and, Bobbie, boy. she tried tc
raised the bowed head, Il don't owe
a cent?"
"Tess!" The burden Of years
seemed lifted from his soul. "Oh, but
shall make Rathbone and Stewar,
smart for this!"
why, Bobbie Bobson!" she ex
claimed, naively aggrieved; that was
a practical joke!"
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