The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-07

was embarrassed and flushed a. she
sat down beside him.
You are good friend, Mr.. Lester"
she said, and l felt you would be
glad to help me out of some trouble
some aL-tcties."
You have but to command me-,
assured Lester loyalty.
The poor unfortunate who passed
by here upon whom Mr.. Deane had
played the sorry trick-you remember
him."
Lester bowed in assent. At that mo-
ment he decided that Deane stock was
at low appraisement with Miss Grace
Waldron.
Come with me, please" continued
Grace. The poor fellow is lying in
the bushes Just beyond here"
She led the way past the confines of
the home grounds. AS they neared
some bushes the prone figure Of the
wretched inebriate came into view.
He is young and has not a hard
face" pursued Grace. and her tender
sympathy touched a responsive chord
in the heart Of Lester. He has a
mother, probably. They have disfig-
ured him with what they call their
joking ways. Mr.. Lester. want you
to take care Of this man and send him
home respectable looking and sober"
You can trust me willingly to do
that" responded Lester heartily. Then
Grace, blushing at her own temerity,
darted away and as Lester approached
the PROSTATE man the latter sat up
abruptly.
Say. mister" he spoke clearly, to
the profound amazement of Lester,
who is that young LADY,"
"She is Miss Grace waldron," re.
piled Lester without reflection.
"And your"
Boyd Lester"
Il want to remember Them" said the
young fellow, slight huskiness in his
voice. Il noticed this just now for
the first time" He laughed half
shamefacedly, and he fumbled at his
mustache.
Come with me and / will see to
mending that" pledged Lester, and he
did not hesitate to take the man to
his room, provide razor and toilet
accessories, and sent him home with
a grateful, though rather wretched
face.
Lester made only one reference
after that to the episode and
that was to report his action to Grace
in accordance with her request to him.
He received sweet friendly smile,
glance Of rare approval from those tell
tale eyes. Then few days before
the judgeship election were busily
spent.
It was a heated contest, and the
most expert politicians could not pre-
dict the outcome with any confidence.
Votes were sought after eagerly.
About four o'clock in the afternoon a
wagon drove up filed with denizens
of the creek district. A man jumped
out and approached Lester.
Remember me?" he inquired.
Il do" assured Lester, and l am
glad to see you. Did you get home all
right that day."
Yes, and told my wife all about It
and-Ive mended. She wrote down
those two names. She made me gath
er up every relative we had, all voters,
and I've brought them up here to cast
their ballots-for you"
why, l certainly thank you,' said
Lester in genuine appreciation of the
favor bestowed.
by one majority"
That was the report OF the judges
of election two hours later.
I'm favor of Boyd Lester" was the
final bulletin.
The Judge hooked arms with the
successful candidate-in fact, took
formal possession of him at the an
nouncement. Ellis Deane read the ac-
ton Alright, and went home generally
disgruntled.
Grace watched them coming and a
great throb Of Joy permeated her be-
ing.
by enc majority, but Lester won"
pronounced the Judge.
And that one," explained Lester to
Grace, when they were alone an hour
later, was the man to whom you
showed so much kindness the day OF
the lawn party"
If ! had voted" spoke Grace soft
ly, that would have made two major
ity wouldn't TT" and love unmistaka-
BILE was shining in the depths of her
tire ta0der evaa