The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-08
IN A
DEAD TOWN
By Martha McCulloch-WilIiams

the Motel piazza.
Lights We're winking up and down
the towns billy street as glow worms
were winking in the gardens round
about 4 little wind, blowing south
erly. brought the freshness of the
river. and the scent of ploughed
earth from the cornfields in the bot
toms beyond. Clay had fed we'll,
therefore his mood was complacent.
Not so Mason, who stood in wait for
him. Discomfort lined his face even
more than common
"Nothing's doing You can bet on
that here always. and anyhow" Mason
answered sourly, "Deadest town this
side the planets-that's the size Of
Ashmore-"
"Yet-you stick to IT." Clay inter-
rupted.
Mason laughed a hard laugh. II
have to stand what amounts to death
in life, because another man persists
in living after he is dead" he said
very low. Haven't they told you
about Grandad? Just a breathing
lump he is. Ninety-five If he's a day
he won't let us see the record AL
most blind. deaf as a post, belfast
now for seven years-yet with the
appetite of coal HEAVIER! keeps him
alive, the doctors say-that and his
grip-on life and his money"
20! | begin to understand" Clay
interjected
Mason ran on eagerly: Il shouldn't
grudge him life-to a hundred and
far beyond tiff he had any sort Of
consideration for anybody but him
self. Keeps me tied to his chairarm
virtually. This is the first time I've
been out except to go to the post
office and the bank, in month. And
! had to lie to get out now. Told him
there was a chance of getting big in
terest of gilt-edged short-time loan
1t was the first thing | could think
of, after | got your note"
Il shouldn't have written-not II
I'd known This is my first time
here" Clay muttcred coafusedly.
Mason stopped him with an eager
gesture. do you grudge water to a
man dying of thirst?" he asked An
other lie will square me-I've only to
say, the collateral was fshy. and
Grandad will pat me on the back.
Meantime, let's be moving. want
to show you-say! you'll help in a
good deed?"
Unless there's girl in it, Clay
answered chuckling. "a petticoat al
ways scares me stiff"
I'VE know you're lying, Jack" Ma
son flung back.
They were going with long strides
ner Mason turned sharply about, say
ing. Wait. | mustn't startle Elsie"
Next breath Clay heard him whistle
softly in a thick shrubbery just in
side ragged garden.
There was no answering sound, but
with a slim blackclad shape beside
him.
Get your carl know 1t is in the
garage-never mind now-and meet
us block from here" Mason said
breathlessly. You're going to pun
away with us across the state line
and be best man at our wedding It's
the only chance for us-youre safe
and discreet-if anybody else knew
1t would ruin us
Tell me how? ! go into nothing
blindfod." Clay said almost stubborn
ly, in Masons hushed key.
Mason flung up his hand crying
fretfully: Man don't potter! Every
minute counts. We must be married.
and back in place long before mid
highland there's a run of twenty
miles each way"
whats the use of running" Clay
persisted doggedly.
Mason clutched him feverishly. ITO
save the fortune I'm shaving in prison
for" he said "Grandad means to
leave it in his will that am to marry
the girl he has chosen for me. OBJ
viously. If l turn out to be already
married to somebody else, that provi-
sion is void, without hurting the will
otherwise"
81 see, Meet you in two minutes"
Clay said running away. But as he
turned the next corner he Stacked to
a slow walk. asking himself If he were
not doing wrong
An hour or so later. he had no such |
doubt Elsie's radiant eyes, her smil-
ing mouth, treasured him. She was
worth lot of risk. Clay decided He
felt chivalrous pity for her. and was |
ready to go all lengths to help her |
Mason had told him briefly their love |
story-it was a rustic Montague and |
Capulet affair-her people the Enslys. |
had been at odds with the Masons |
time out of mind Then Grandad had |
all miser's instructive hatred of I'M
success for them. Their fortunes had |
fallen until Elsie went out sewing
by an irony of Fate she was even then |
making fine white lacy things, of the |
very newest shapes and patterns. for |
Flora Mcleod, the girl Grandad APP
proved
No doubt he would have insisted
upon the marriage, except for his de-
termination to keep his grandson be-
side him. Flora came dutifully once
week to call on himsthough he |
could neither see nor hear her. he |
knew the feel of her hand, and ate
with enormous relish the good things
she fetched him.
Lucky, me boy-that's what YOU /
are, he mumbled toothlessly as he
gulped the dainties. Beauty fades
but cooking stays by woman to the
end"