The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-10

surprised ana crushed
81 wrote 1t the day was packing the
bottles" he said lugubriously. II in
tended to take it out and post it the
same evening, but was so Tired that I
went to sleep on the sofa"
Mrs. Chiverly did not deign to reply.
She sent their oldest boy out with the
letter and. rising from the table, went
upstairs without a word to her hus-
band. She had scarcely done so when
there was a ring at the doorbelL Mr..
Chiverly answered the summons. and
there stood a man with an express
company's receipt book.
"Sign here, please. Seven dollars and
fifty cents"
The rector cast glance at a wagon
standing by the curb and recognized
the boxes he had packed a month be-
fore.
"W-w-what's this?" he stammered,
paling.
Goods returned, uncalled for"
Mr.. Chiverly caught at the doorpost
for support. AS soon as he recovered
his voice he asked the man to wait a
minute and. staggering back into the
hall, called his wife,
what is it," she asked, aghast.
THE bottles
what about them"
They're at the door,"
"Oh, my goodness graciousI What's
happened?"
Edward, not receiving any explana-
ton about them, probably refused to
receive them or pay for them"
Didn't you put on them who they
were fromT
"NO."
why didn't your"
II dare not. If they had fallen into
the wrong hands 1t would have been a
dead give away"
"Oh, James, what shall we do?"
There's nothing to do but pay all
charges-$7.50-and send them again"
I'VE can barely scrape enough money
together to pay the $3.50"
"Well, then. pay It."
Mrs. Chiverly gathered all the money
In the house, even borrowing from her
sons savings bank, to make up the re-
quired amount Mr.. Chiverly had a
dollar bill in his vest pocket besides.
Taking it to the express driver he
bribed him to take the boxes to his
home, promising that they would be
called for the same night.
what are you going to do?" asked
his wife on his return to her.
I'm going tonight to take them and
dump them in the river"
"You will do no such thing"
"Why not?"
Suppose any one should see you do
ing It."
II shall be dressed as cartman."
THAT won't help the matter. You
will be traced the same as If you were
seen trying to get rid of some one you
had murdered"
I'm going to risk it. We can't stand
this business any longer I'm going
to get rid of the bottles If have to
swing for It."
Mr.. Chiverlys blood was up. His
wifes efforts to dissuade him were in
vain. When night came he shaved off
his whiskers, appropriated a suit of
old clothes intended for a poor man
he had befriended and started for the
house of the expressman. On the way
he tried to hire a wagon. but could
find no one who would trust him with
his team without going with him.
So he changed his mind and decided to
rely en- the expressman.
See here my man." he said on reach
Ing the house. II wasn't you to 60 with
me and get rid of these cases. Have
you box opener handy?"
The man brought the tools and open-
ed one of the boxes.
You see." said the clergyman, what
they contain. Will you go with me to
the river to throw them IMP"
There's no need to do that" replied
the man. "I'll get rid of them by
selling them"
DO So" cried Chiverly rapturously,
land pocket the proceeds"
IAN right, You're sure there's no
skulduddery about it?"
"None in the least. These bottles
were accumulated by other persons
than myself. l simply wish to get rid
| of them"
All right I'll send you anything
there Is over or above half the profits.
less carriage"
please don't" urged the rector Inn
| ploringly.
The man consented. Mr.. Chiverly
then wrung his hand gratefully and
fastened home. Once there he dolfed
his old clothes, put on his nightgown
and went to bed.
For weeks, indeed months, never was
there a ring at the rectory doorbell
but Mr.. and Mrs Chiverly started as
though they were expecting an arrest
for murder. And whenever a cart was
was heard stopping before the door the
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