The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-17

SRSHSS ~ '~O'>'
he got killed pullin' Hobo out from
under the wheels of an ingine. You
never see a dog take on the way that
one did. He was jest wild till gave
him that old brown coat o Tins to
lay on"
"Oh. the dear. faithful little fellow"
the girl cried. "Oh, Mrs. Pickens.
when I see how loyal. how true to
their best instincts a dumb brute can
be 1t makes me ashamed Of myself
and my kind"
Mrs. Pickens looked puzzled and
trife puzzled. well, I dunno sHe
said slowly. 1T seems as II 1t would
show more sense II Hobo d stay with
some o. them fellers that treat him SO
we'll instead O comm back here to be
kicked round by Pickens when he gifts
drunk. Jest for the sake OF lynn on
that old coat"
why. Mrs. Pickens. you don't mean
to tell me that Mr.. Pickens gets-er-
that he drinks!" exclaimed Elinor
Then you can't be such a good judge
! of men after al"
81 don't know why not" Mrs. Pick
ems retorted. "Pickens Is money
maker an that's what was lookin, for.
Them politicians says he's the man for
their money. that he can deliver the
goods. Pickens may git drunk once
In a while, an he may not be what
you'd call honest. but for my part
call Pickens a good bargain"
But your first husband must have
! been so different" Elinor faltered.
glancing at the portrait above her
head HE looks so kind and-and
! honest"
HE was" Mrs. Pickens confessed.
wistful shadow creeping over her COM
placent red face. "Pickens makes
sight most money, for Tim want prac-
tical-you'd know that by his losin'
his own life tryin' to save dogs
There was a determined tilt to Ell
nor Ransom's softly rounded chin as
| she went down the steps OF the tene-
ment house a moment later. A man
/ twice her age with tell-tale lines about
his mouth and pouches under his wa
terry gray eyes. hurriedly advanced 70
meet her tossing away as he did so
an oily, black cigar.
Here you are at last" he said.
What the devil are you carrying that
bundle for? | told you to pay the
woman what you owed her and say
good bye to her since you insisted
upon it. but your things aren't worth
bothering with You've been down on
your luck so long that your clothes
are about all in But we'll fix all
that little girl" he added graciously
his frown relaxing into jovial man
ner that was even more unpleasant
than his anger "Therell be plenty
of time. after we have been to the
minister, to drive to one OF the de
partment stores and AZ you out to be
credit to me before our trair
; leaves"
I'm not going with you, Mr. Archer
II can't marry you" the girl said
81 suppose you want little more
coaxing." he said sullenly. but, my
girl you've kept me dangling afte
YOU long enough" he exploded, layin!
, heavy hand on her arm. CONF
with me now. Elinor and for the res
of your life you will get the flint
i. clothes, and the jewels and the pet
ting that every pretty woman wants
.. but I'll never give you another chance
to make fool of me-once for all. i
1t yes or no?'
ut is no!-no!-no!" Elinor cried
: nu,linp away from the touch OF nj
hands
!, He turned away and left her with
, muttered curse. but Elinor Ransom
: trudging along the hot pavement ir
haiing the dust and odor left In tn
!. trail of the big car, felt curiousl
Iigbt-hearted Turning the corner sh
j. almost ran into shabby. broad-shou
dered young man, whose whole FAC
!. lighted at the sight Of the slim gil
!. with the big bundle
. Let me carry that for you. Mis-
4 Ransom" he said. falling into step
her side. "All my luck Is coming I
;. me at once-I thought I wouldn't b
, able to see you before this evening
= and I could hardly wait to tell 20
: that I'd got a start at last. l-Yo
:. must have seen that I loved yo'
: dear" the young fellow went on. b
: voice shaking with the force Of Ion
a pent-up passion; but thought II wa
:, only fair to stand aside and let Arc
or who could offer you life OF cas-
and Injury win you Y he could"
Elinor looked up quickly and sa
= in the dark eyes that met hers Il
same expression she had seen in Il
n crude portrait of poor Tim Ryan-"tf
a look of 4 man unbought.
10 "Rut at last I've got my chance
n, Iohn Talbot said iubilantly. I car
ps offer you much except my love and
very modest little Nat, but I'm goir
NJ ~ make good. I'm sure of it now
=. Toll me. Elinor-dearest-do you Ill
"a mo well enough to risk marrying n
he tomorrow
II don't consider Il risk. jon
5ear" the girl said demurely, a de
an cious dimple lurking in the corner
a. her lovely mouth. but o, job
- Iobn," she walled suddenly, claspir
his arm In the shock Of realization
- her narrow escape from lifelong m
- erv lust suppose ! hadn't stopp
ho at Mrs. Pickens and learned from b
4, chat a bargain In husbands really is
Like Some Kinds.
20 "The young bride across the W
- h,.hapd lilo q doc"