The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-06


culture and a total abstinence from
grog will serve to put you properly
back on your feet again. and you viii
thank the Blissyille Physical Culture
sanitarium for your ere"
"Blissville Physical Culture sani-
tarium!" reiterated the youth. Isn't
this hotel?"
We hand you an ample abundance OF
the vital spark here-at SO much per
spark. Your board is paid in adj
vance, youngster. Don't worry"
Listen" came from Damon, who
was now beginning to understand the
situation. Don't interrupt. Just pre-
tend that you believe me. you know,
and I'll entertain you for few brief
moments.
'In the first place, I really am who
l say l am. have no empty rooms
IN my belfry, and haven't the least
idea what made your driver bring me
here-unless 1t is that my initials.
A. D., N. 7. c.. are ON my suitcase.
Anyway, to get down to the subject,
/ am here on more explicit business
than the mere selling of cigars. My
prospective papa-in-law is at the hotel
the real hotel in Blissville-and I
am supposed to meet him and discuss
-er-certain things.
which you won't" beloved the
other. and with a click of his stern
jaws. 81 wouldn't dare let you go
while the boss is away, and, besides,
don't believe you"
ut viii be an easy matter for you
to establish my identity. II your thick
head is capable of assimilating rea-
SON." snapped Damon. "Just call up
the hotel and verify my statement"
why should your prospective
father-in-law be here?" asked Null
queen suspiciously.
''He is at the head of the cigar
combine" explained Damon, impa-
tiently. Il am to marry his daughter
II / can prove. by sticking out on the
road and selling cigars. that l have
enough business ability to support
her. l have million, more or less,
that the pater left me. but Mr. Coxton
wants me to prove up. He tele-
graphed me this morning that he
would meet me in Blissville today?"
I you don't mean John Coxton?"
asked the athletic instructor.
Eyes"
"Yes."
well, my boy, either you are one
of the most imaginative bugs l have
seen for some time, or else you are
telling the brand of truth that Is
stranger than fiction. Anyway, John
Coxton owns and controls this in
stitution, and II he is In Blissville, as
you say, he will be out here, and you
will have a chance to see him and
prove your story"
"I'll prove It all right" Damon as
serted grimly.
And this was easily done for to
the dying whirr Of suddenly
stopped motor Cotton entered the
office
"Mr. Coxton!" Damon arose eager
ly and strobe toward the man. The
stout. middle-aged one, with the
fiorid cheeks and iron-gray hair.
| turned In surprise.
"You-Damonl" he calculated.
Just So" ventured the youth, ~ex-
tending his hand Kindly assure
| your-er-athletic instructor as to
my sanity was kidnapped by the
driver Of this sanitar,um, and this
gentleman wants to keep me- here"
This is Damon, Mulqueen," came
from the cigar magnate. crisply, land
he is all right-but don't under
stand this complication. Explain"
Damon speedily explained.
Coxton laughed at the completion OF
the tale. We'll. anyway, you're here
and unhurt," he ventured. ""I
wanted to see you and tell you that
your sales up to date have proved
that you can make good. No use in
covering these tank towns. I'll &C.
cept your resignation. II you like, and
you can go home and prepare for an
early autumn wedding"
Sorry we can't have that CO." ven
tured Mulqueen as some time later
the youth was leaving the institution.
I'm not" grinned Damon, survey
ing critically the husky frame Of the
man. Pm in training for a bout
with Hymen, and / don't care to take
on anyone before the great event"