The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-26

I'VE heard about the robbery" he
announced, in his leisurely, drawing
way. I'VE came to sympathize with
Miss Brunette, to offer our services"
Thanks" bowed the Judge, but the
police are on the scent and we have
a sure clue as to the identity of the
thief"
"lndeed?' commented young Willis.
"les-it was Black Donald"
Walt fidgeted. Burt looked over his
shoulder as if afraid of something.
Ned Powers spoke up promptly.
i know Black Donald" he said
quickly. IF you are certain of that.
Judge. think could penetrate his
, haunts"
lone is too distressed to see you,
young gentlemen" said the Judge.
She cares very slightly for the loss
OF her diamonds, for they can be re,
placed. There was, however, a coral
necklace her dead mother gave her
years ago, when she was child In
trinsically it is worthless, but | would
give a small fortune to recover it."
4 shall send for city detective at
once, announced Walt-"a corps of
them, if necessary. That necklace
shall be recovered"
know relatives of some of the
Old gang, observed Burt. I'll see If
they won't help me recover it,"
Ned Powers said nothing, but there
was set expression of resolve in his
face as he left the place. and Walt
observed laughingly:
We are all in the race, fellows.
fancy the one who RECEIVERS that sto.
\ len necklace will stand in high favor
4 with Miss Brunette.
4 So at least Ned Powers thought and
believed, and he went on his way. TAX
ing no counsel and detailing naught
Of his plans to his chattering compan-
/ ions.
Walt made a call at the Brunette
/ home two evenings later. He made a
| great play before lone of his vast eff
forts TO have Black Donald apprehena
] - HAAA tAAN aAolSll
Then came Burt. A relative of ono
OF the mountain families was under
obligations to him and he had gone
tc see II he could not secretly ferret
out the thieves and the booty.
But lone thought little of their in
terest in her behalf. One of her cava-
liers was simply spending his money,
with plenty to spend Neither under
took any personal risk.
Then both valorous champions came
up against disappointment and cha
grin. The detectives learned that
Black Donald after the raid had stayed
only two days with his friends and had
gone back to New Mexico presum-
ably with his plumber
The emissary of Burt simply aroused
suspicion for his Investigations and
learned nothing of importance
Father, what has become OF Mr..
Powers?' one day lone inquired and
there was conscious blush on her
pretty face which the judge did not
fail to notice,
Ned Powers answered the inquiry in
person two days later. Bronzed, tat
tered, weather-worn, he came into the
town. His first call was at the Bru-
nellie home. Its object was to place
in the hands of it's lovely young mis-
tress the cherished coral necklace
lone went eXtravagantiy wild over
it. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude
and admiration for the one man who
had risked his life to restore to her a
precious msmento.
II recovered it from a sister OF Black
Donald" explained Ned THE rest of
the plumber her brother took away
with him."
A month later the engagement Of
lone and Ned was announced. One
afternoon the happy pair were seated
in hammock, conversing
you are sure you never cared for
anyone but me?" inquired lone.
"Never!" was the stanch, truthful
reply
''Nor-nor ever flirted with any
other grill" persisted lone.
Once"
Her fair brow Swallowed
yes" admitted Ned, with a quizzi-
cal smile-"it was by paying strong
court to the sister of Black Donald
that | got hold of the coral necklace. :
ooh, that doesn't count" cried lone
effusively-"that was simply the STRAIT
egg of war;" and she rewarded him
with a kiss of perfect confidence and
love.