The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-07


piled that the only thing needed was
some tobacco for the old mans cob
pipe, the tobacco to be had at the coun-
try store being mixed with cornhnsks
and hard ON his throat. which was
weak Edward sent the tobacco-of
medium grade. for he argued that.
since his father would not appreciate
an expensive smoke. to pay high
price would be waste of money. hut
he did not visit his parents.
From this brief family statement 1t
may be guessed that the parentage ques-
ton on Schenk's side was, to say the
least, embarrassing. Notwithstanding
all his ability for getting OH in the
world he was stalled at this apparently
trivial problem. He solved 1t tempo
rarily by telling his fiancee that his ia
Their and mother were old and inirm
and were on this account incapacitated
from taking part in their sons wedding
festivities. 1t was evident from this
that the couple would add nothing to
the eclat Of the occasion. though
Schenk had given the impression that
they were living surrounded by every
comfort This was true. since what
would be a comfort to them would be
a hardship to another. Edward asked
his mother to write few lines TO his
bride. but they were so badly written
and spelled that he did not show them
to Celia. saying that his mother would
have written had she not been prevent
ed by palsy.
There was large wedding-it would
have been larger if the groom had had
his way-after which was the usual
bridal journey. Mrs. Schenk suggested
that they visit her husbands parents
since the poor old couple could not
visit them, but Schenk demurred. CIV
ing as an excuse that they were both
Ill and visit would be discomfort to
them.
Several years passed. during which
time Schenk by various excuses kept
his wife away from his parents. Then
one spring Mrs. Schenk took it into her
head that she would like a house In
the country for the summer. Schenk
had thus far had no use for country
residence, SO not owning one he told
his wife that she might rent one wher-
ever she chose. Seeing an advertise
ment Of a place some flfty miles dis
tant from the city, the description of
which pleased her, she ordered out her
car and went to inspect it. Being
much pleased with the place and since
her husband might 60 and come to and
from business every day either by
train or auto she rented it.
One evening after business hours the
couple started by automobile for their
country residence, They had not gone
far before Schenk found himself NOV
ing toward the scenes of his boyhood.
But he said nothing. trusting that they
would soon turn in another direction.
Another ten miles and another ten
and still they remained on the very
road he had trudged some fifteen years
before to make his fortune in the city.
Here and there he recognized points
where he had stopped to rest, and on
rock beside creek he had stopped
to eat the dinner his mother had made
up for him. But when the car left the
main road for smaller one that led
past the house in which he was born
and where dwelt his aged parents a
cold sweat began to gather on his
brow, He was relieved, however.
when another turn was made. and aft
er following new road up declivity
they entered a noble place that was to
be their home for the summer. Schenk
had hunted woodcock on that hill when
boy and knew that twas not more
than mile from his fathers shack.
The pair dined, and the next morn
ing Schenk returned to the city re-
solved to be at his country seat as
little as possible and hoping that the
end of the summer might come with
out his wife's meeting his parents.
Various excuses kept him in the city
most Of the time till September, when
he Joined Mrs. Schenk for the last time
In the country before their removal to
town.
Edward" said Mrs. Schenk. II was
out motoring the other day and stop
ped at a little hut for drink of wa
ter. 1t was handed me by an old wo-
man. who asked from what city [
hailed. When l told her she said her
son had gone there years ago to make
his fortune. She said his name was
Edward and the family name was
Schenk Isn't it an odd coincidence
that the name Of this boy and yours
should be the same?"
very" said Schenk. looking in every
direction except at his wife. and, max
Ing trivial excuse, he left the room.
A few days later the couple entered
their limousine to go to the city. AL
iackey carried out large bundle.
whats that?" asked Schenk.
Some CASTOR clothing I'm going to
take to the poor old Schenk couple.
Wen drive past the house with It"
Schenk stood aghast.
DO you think we have timer" he
stammered why not let James take
It therea"
Because wish to take 1t myself"
There was something so positive in
this reply that Schenk could interpose
no further objection. One faint hone