The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-06
Paul'S
Christmas Gift
With Some Clever Detec- :,
five Work
BY CLARIsSA MACKIE

LaAft hS otAANb Nt,Nih win Nh'
fortune certainty in phosphate
mine. He arrived III New York OF
Christmas eve, and as soon as he had
secured quarters at q hotel and made
a careful toilet he took taxicab and
glided to the Bartrams home on Fifth
avenue
He had promised Linda Bartram that
he would come to her ut Christmas
this year-with the fortune that her ia
ther insisted he must possess before he
could hope to win lovely Linda, who
would some day he mistress of much
money So Paul had taken Linda S
promise, had given Mr.. Bartram his
word not to communicate with the girl
Of his heart and had gone away. He
was without close family relations
himself, and, although ne occasionally
saw the New York papers, he had not
read any news that prepared him for
the blow he was about TO receive.
The avenue was its gayest and
brightest on this cold afternoon The
shop windows were brilliant, the side
walks were crowded with Christmas
shoppers, and there was steady
stream Of vehicles passing TO and fro
Paul continually glanced from tue
window, hoping for u sight Of Linda
glowing face. but his wish was IN
gratitied He leaped up the steps Of
the stately home and pushed the but
ton impetuously
A Japanese opened the door
Mrs. Bartram?" asked Paul eagerly.
The butler SHOOK his head NO such
name, sir" he said
Paul looked again ut the number
Surely this is Mr.. Bartram's house
he repeated
1T may perhaps have been SO, sir
replied the man. 1T is now the resi-
deuce of Dedrick Jones"
rs there any one here who can tell
me about the people who lived here be
fore?"
There is housekeeper who has
been In the house many years II you
will come inside | will question her
sir"
Paul entered Il reception hall that
was entirely unfamiliar In few min
utes a gray haired woman attired in
dark silk gown approached.
MIR. Wukely" she exclaimed.
"N," Mrs. Smith. ] am glad TO see
sotue one who cHu give me news of the
family" he said warmly.
Haven't you heard, Mr. Wakely?"
Nothing at ALL hope there isn't
bad news, he said quickly.
Not very good news. Mr. Bartram
died six months ago, aud all the money
vanished into nothing sir. Mrs. Bar
tram and Miss LiMda were left penni-
less, Mrs. Bartram lived only three
months, and then Miss Linda was left
alone. Some OF the relatives offered
her home, but she was too independ-
ent for that. Although she had never
been trained for any special business,
She has found work OF some kind She
has written me that she Is earning
living, and this very day she sent me
Christmas gift-this pretty brooch.
am afraid that she needed the money
for other things, Mr.. Wakely, yet she
was always SO generous"
Paul was thoughtful WAS her let
ter dated from New York;" be asked.
Yes, sir"
Then ] shall find her in some way.
Will you lend me your brooch, Mrs
SMITH
Certainly, Mr.. Wakely Perhaps il
was bought in one Of the department
stores hardly think Miss Linda
could pauonize the jewelers. nowadays.
IL was dear Of her TO remember that
the amethyst was my birthstone too
But she was always so thoughtful"
y will bring the brooch back to you.
Mrs. Smith, and tell you all / hear
from Miss Linda he said as be shook
hands with her before leaving.
''She must eat Christmas dinner with
me" he said TO himself firmly.
First he went into a jewelers. and
submitted the amethyst brooch for the
examination OF a supercilious clerk.
who smiled and returned ii to him.
mo indeed; we do not carry that
class Of goods al all he said in a
shocked tone, 1T looks as though IL
might have been bought in depart
ment store"
THANK you. That is what wanted
10 know" said Paul grayely. Then he
proceeded TO shock the clerk still fur
ther by purchasing diamond ring OF
great value and paying for ii from a
roll Of crisp bills of large denomination.
Department store, By Jove. a long
search and may he blind one. but Ill
do IT, First III try Lablers."
Paul tried Labler's and many others
before be found shop that identified
the amethyst brooch as coming from
its stock There were other amethyst
brooches just like that one, and Paul
bought one of the exact pattern as the
one the housekeeper had loaned him
He asked the clerk al the ieweIry
counter If they numbered Miss Bar
tram among their customers.
She smiled and said she did not
know. He could end out at the Office
she was quite sure.
A noorwalker directed him TO the of.
nee. Paul knew that be was taking q
chance In expecting 10 trace Linda
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