The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-03
Number 1923
PaIisade
By JOHN HOPEWELL
(cO6yriEhl. I0II. b. Ass0oiatsd Literary Press.)

Copyright. 1911. By Associated Literary Press.)
I, After luncheon Paul Enslow re
turned to his office and prepared to
pick up the loose threads Of CORE
spondence that had been dropped
with the Ginning Of the MONDAY
clocks
Letter after letter was read and
considered. and then either laid aside
to be answered when his stenog-
rapher returned or tossed into the
filing basket When his desk was
cleared he drew the telephone re-
ceiver toward him and called a num-
Der. AS he waited for a reply his
glance fell on a scrap of paper near
the instrument.
Call 1928 Palisade" was penciled
on 1t in Miss Clarks neat hand
writing.
When he had concluded a brief
| conversation over the wire Paul
picked up the memorandum once
| more.
GIVE me 1928 Palisade. please" he
said
There was long wait and then
fearful feminine voice came over the
| wire.
rs that you, Paul?" 1t quavered.
YES" he replied, mystified.
"Well-you know who It is. don't
your The voice was dangerously
near breaking.
''No-I do not" he hesitated.
"oh, dearest--please don't be SO
stern-and unforgiving-yo know
| it's mabel"
/ Now, the only Mabel who had the
right to speak thus intimately was
Paul Enslow's married sister, and at
this moment she was supposed to be
in the Adirondacks. Accustomed to
his sisters easily flowing tears, Paul
was not greatly disturbed over her
emotion.
Where are you now?" he asked.
AT Margaret's-of course-please
don't tease, dear"
you know so many Margarets, my
dear. that l am still in the dark" he
returned, patiently. What is the
matter now, Mabel? Has Fido swal-
lowed a bone or has Peter neglected
to send his weekly postal card and
you have returned to town to-"
PAUL." in sobbing indignation.
II am still in the dark" he muir
INJURED, YEARLY. is anything serious
the matter-anybody dead?"
| "Yes!" she sobbed bitterly. my
love is dead!"
Eth? Not old Peter-why, saw
him at luncheon not an hour ago, and
he was looking pretty fit Now. see
here, Mabel, old girl. II you can only
stop that Niagara of tears long
enough to explain"
Never dare speak to me again!"
cut in the girls voice, coldly indig
nant and fearless now, and the con
nection was abruptly severed.
Paul leaned back in his chair and
whistled incredulously. What i'm
aginary grievance has Mabel got Ut
her sleeve?" he wondered, uneasily
Barring Fido and Peter and myself
lin the order OF importance-thert
isn't a living soul who she has 9
right to worry over. What is she
doing In town, anyway"
He lifted the receiver once more tc
his ear and inclined his head toward
the transmitter.
Number 1929 Palisade, please" ht
said for the second time that after
noon.
A servants voice responded.
II wish to speak with Mrs. Bliss,
said Paul.
Mrs. Bliss?" returned the servant
in a puzzled tone. Sure and I'm
thinkin' you've the wrong number
SOFT"
This is 1928 Palisade?"
Yes, sorr, but there's no Mrs
Bliss here"
Il was speaking to her only few
moments ago. VIII you make in
quiries?"
Il think l better call Miss May
nard," returned the girl. doubtfully
IF you will wait a moment"
Paul Enslow was left to his owl
puzzled thoughts for several mo
ments. He opened the telephone di
rectory and found the name Of May
, nard-Benjamin Maynard. banker
residence 1911 Palisade drive, tele
} phone number 1928 Palisade. So far
so good. If Miss Maynard's nam
. was Margaret she must be one of hi
sisters girl friends OF that stated!
name.
7 sweet, low voice sang over tn
, wire into his listening ear. Yes?
II said. inquiringly.
} "Is this Miss Maynard?" Pau
: found his heart humping in a mos
: unaccountable manner.
YES" came the reply.
II am sorry to trouble you, but
ali, am Paul Enslow, and"
"oh. Mr.. Enslow, am so glad yol
have called up" she interrupted
hastily. Poor Mabel is broker
hearted and is repacking her trunl
> to go home. I'm sure your misunder
standing can be explained II you vii
only come up and see her l won
tell her that you are coming. and yol
take her by surprise and" Sh
I paused significantly.
+ Thank you very much, Miss May
nard, | will come up at once. IN
2 afraid we're making you a lot 0
trouble. really am anxious abou
her" he said.
The girl laughed oddly. Come U
as soon as you can" she urged, an
rang of
q ra,,1 sof1aa hsa hat and Lee ~