The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-02

they're just what want. The name
suggests fighting, and that will give
some vim to the occasion.
AND the gold mine in Alaska,
Percy?" friend insinuated.
"Oh, the first funds helped the pro-
moters along. They sloped, leaving
the investors to hold the bag; but
that's one of the risks of the game,
see?"
Very soon the town saw" that
Percy had got rid of about all he had.
Blanche heard of it and really sor-
rowed, for money was money. Still,
she fathomed the reckless procedure
Of her lover as the only means Of
finally winning her.
Percy met Blanches father on
country road one day. Percy assumed
the reckless air of a man of the world
arrived at the end of his rope.
"Oh, you amt so poor" remarked
Mr. Clarke. There's that big bust
ness block left yet"
I'll trade it of for a horse with a
SPAWN, or a secondhand tin-Lizzie,
but I'll get rid of it," Wanted Percy.
And then, one morning, as he start
ed downtown. neighbor made q
somewhat startling announcement.
Il suppose you know about it," were
his words, "but your business block
burned to the ground last night"
THAT so?" observed Percy. ANY.
body hurt?"
mot a SOUL"
"Then-hurrah!"
Percy Lane packed up his belong
ings. He was at the home town Of his
fiancee by noon; he was in consulta-
ton with her father an hour later.
I've made it," he announced jubi-
lantly to the old man.
Made what?" questioned Mr.. Clarke
suspiciously.
"Poverty-humble life ahead-one
Of your class. Liquid assets all specu-
lated away. Last remnant Of former
prosperity, the business block, went
up in smoke last night"
Surely poor, are your" Queried
Clarke.
81 surely ami" asserted Percy,
proudly.
Then what are you going to get
married op7" demanded the practical
old man.
"Oho! shifting winds when the stu
alton changes?" rallied Percy. We'll.
| have made arrangements for living
position down at the telegraph office"
Percy insisted upon an immediate
marriage. He was through with wealth
and was ready to settle down to a
humble, honest career. His sacrifice
and pertinacity staggered the old man.
Blanche seconded the proposition. 1t
was an economical wedding The
honeymoon meant gay day Of stroll
ing in the woods amid the beauties OF
nature. Then Percy went to WORK.
Then Blanche settled down to happy,
contented housekeeping in two rooms.
This is real life!" exulted Percy.
"Oh, what bliss after the cankering
cares of wealth."
Three days later old Clarke burst in
upon the loving pair. His face showed
intense excitement, his manner was
wroth.
"Baffled! derided! tricked." he
spluttered, and glared at the astound-
ed Percy
What now. father" intimated the
latter, softly.
Bah. traitor! avaunt! base deceiv-
err"
bah and avaunt?" repeated Percy,
refiectively. What's the answer"
This is the answer" shouted
Blanche's father, and he ripped open
newspaper in his hand:
I'VE are advised that Mr. Percy
will receive sixty thousand dollars in
surance on the hotel block recently de-
stroyed by fire." read the old man.
Aha" cried Percy. Il never
thought of that"
"Oh, Percy" prattled Blanche, de-
lightedly. Now we can buy that new
parlor set"
"R!ch!" howled old Clarke. "A
Croesus!"
Father" said Percy, soothingly,
'can help it? thought l was poor,
you accepted me as poor Money
shant take me from honest work and
honest love, so be sensible and join
us in summing ourselves under this un'
expected shower Of gold"