The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-19
ALL She HAD TO DO
BY KEITH KENYON.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


1t just happened that day that every
thing had been going to the eve,
lasting bowwows, as Hampden himsei,
expressed it through his cienen1u
teeth. The New York wires were ue
layed on account of the storm anu
even on the local line it was Amos,
impossible to get clear, connecleu
message through.
Central" he called. Cehtiai
What's the matter with this WIRE
ANYHOW? I've been hanging on 10 Tue
end of the line fol- an hour trying "
get a number.
Wires down below Grand Indian
she answered pleasantly. Kingston
does not respond"
Hampden mut.ered something winch
sent both places hurting merrlly aitei
Sodom and Gomorrah's fate, and called
again.
Look here. I've got to catch New
York tonight before six. It's more
than my luck that hangs on it. There
a fellow down there who may commit
suicide tonight IL he doesn't get my
word that things are all right, see? l
got a letter-hello, hello. Don't cut
me off, please"
I'm listening" said Central
"He thinks he was ruined in
plunge of stock this morning. and I've
got over half of his cash safe, see:
Pulled it out with my own on yester-
days sales. My wifes sick up here
and | had to come. He thinks | got
cold feet and ran away. Now, we We
got to get word to him at once that
he's all right You and have got to
put this through or there's going to be
one dead boy down there by morning
Take a message, can you, and get II
through by telegraph anywhere along
| the line?"
Hold the wire. I'll see" said Cen
| trail
Hampden held it, frowning out at
| the trees, crystal white with ice and
| snow
"Hello, just minute, please, she
called back Il think we can get It
through by way Of Newburgh. New
| burgh seems to respond.
Newburgh did respond. The wires
that way were all up. When the CON
nection was made. his voice sounded
husky to him as he got the Office and
asked for Ted
"Why, he's just left. sir the boy
at the switch answered, Maybe can
catch him in the hall" There was a
| pause and something seemed to break
before Hampden's eyes like a great
| noiseless skyrocket. His brain grew
| numb except for the pain through his
shoulder and he slipped Imply to the
floor.
Back in New York, Ted turned
moodily from the elevators and fol
lowed the boy to the phone booth. His
head throbbed with pain. He hated
New York Hampden, fate, everything
All he wanted was to get out of it
Then the girl at the end of the wire
held him. Her voice was beautiful
|
man interest.
Hello, is this Mr. Curtis? This is
Central at Grand Indian Long dis
lance reports Mr. Hampden who was
calling you fails to respond. | have
his message. Ready?"
Ready" answered Ted eagerly.
His wife is sick That is why he
was called here suddenly Wishes mt
to state that he took your money ou
of the market yesterday with his
own with profit on sales Over hal
safe. Come to Grand Indian, New
York, at once. Signed, .Hampden"
When the night train pulled int
Grand Indian, a tall figure in storm
ulster swung off and into the littl,
station. He made straight for tn,
desk, but the ticket agent said tn,
telegraph room was upstairs.
"She lives there" he added. Mis-
Hewitt. Just knock on the door. She
up till twelve
Ted took the narrow stairs in thre
steps and raped on the door quickly
He had made up all sorts Of speeche
on the way to this girl who had givel
him the word of good cheer, but whel
the door opened and he saw her stand
ing there. all he could do was to reacl
out his hand and say:
I'm Curtis, Ted Curtis. | wante
to thank you for hauling me up here
How's Mr. Hampden?"
Better" She smiled up at him i
the friendliest way. Her white sweat
er was buttoned close to her CHR
and her hair was rumpled as If sh
had been sleeping. but her eyes wer
bright and happy as she looked at hin
sizing him up as Ted himself woul
have expressed it. HE must hav
had some sort of shock followin
nervous strain. the doctor said The
haven't told his wife yet They'r
both coming out of it all right.
called up twice after you left Ne
York to make sure You see, he ha
already given his message when b
fell, so all had to do was push
through and get you. Only did pr
in for you to come at once"
All she had to do. Ted simpl
stared at her. Did she know ju:
what fool he had been, just the so
of gutter it was that wrote the lie
ter up to Hampden. just how it ha
been her call at the end of the vii
that had pulled him back to SAINT
, and love of life. the realization tn;
up there in the mountains somewheI
there was a girl with voice like tn;
who could make New York look Ill