The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-15
ALL She HAD TO DO
BY KEITH KENYON.

TTTTTTS''''VE VSSFTVEVV''
1t Just happened that day that every
thing had been going to the ever
lasting bowwows, as Hampden himself
expressed it through his clenched
teeth. The New York wires were de-
layed on account of the storm and
even on the local line it was almost
impossible to get q clear, connected
message through.
Central" he called. Central!
What's the matter with this wire.
anyhow? I've been hanging on to the
end of the line for an hour trying to
get a number"
Wires down below Grand Indian,
she answered pleasantly. Kingston
does not respond"
Hampden muttered something which
sent both places hurting merrily after
Sodom and Gomorrah's fate, and called
again.
Look here. I've got to catch New
York tonight before six. It's more
than my luck that hangs on It. There's
a fellow down there who may commit
suicide tonight II he doesn't get my
word that things are all right. see? l
got a letter-hello, hello! Don't cut
me of, please"
I'm listening" said Central.
HE thinks he was ruined In
plunge OF stock this morning, and I've
got over half of his cash safe, see?
Pulled it out with my own on yester-
days sales. My wife's sick up here,
and | had to come. He thinks l got
cold feet and ran away. Now. we've
got to get word to him at once that
he's all right You and have got to
put this through or there's going to be
one dead boy down there by morning.
Take message, can you, and get 1t
through by telegraph anywhere along
the liner
Hold the wire. I'll see," said Gen.
tral.
Hampden held it, frowning out at
the trees, crystal white with ice and
snow.
Hello. just a minute. please" she
called back. II think we can get 1t
through by way of Newburgh. New
burgh seems to respord"
| -Newburgh did respond. The wires
that way were all up When the con-
nection was made, his voice sounded
husky to him as he got the office and
asked for Ted.
why, he's lust lett. sir" the boy
4.
| catch him In Tie hall" There was 9
/ pause and something seemed to break
: before Hampden's Eyes ike q great
! noiseless skyrocket. His brain grew
numb except for the pain through hi
shoulder and he slipped Imply to the
floor.
Back in New York, Ted turned
moodily from the elevators and fol
lowed the boy to the phone booth. His
| head throbbed with pain. He hated
| New York, Hampden, fate, everything
All he wanted was to get out Of It
Then the girl at the end of the wire
held him. Her voice was beautiful
sweet, CHEEKY, most of all full Of hu
man interest.
Hello, is this Mr. Curtis? This IL
Central at Grand Indian. Long dis
lance reports Mr.. Hampden who was
calling you fails to respond. have
his message. Ready"
Ready" answered Ted eagerly.
His wife is sick. That Is why he
was called here suddenly. Wishes me
to state that he took your money out
of the market yesterday with hit
own with profit on sales. Over hal
safe. Come to Grand Indian. New
York, at once. Signed, Hampden."
When the night train pulled into
Grand Indian, a tall figure In storm
ulster swung off and into the little
station. He made straight for thu
desk, but the ticket agent said thu
telegraph room was upstairs.
"She lives there" he added. Mist
Hewitt. Just knock on the door. She'i
up till twelve"
Ted took the narrow stairs in three
steps and raped on the door quickly
He had made up all sorts Of speeches
on the way to this girl who had givel
him the word of good cheer, but whel
the door opened and he saw her stand
ing there, all he could do was to reacl
out his hand and say:
I'm Curtis, Ted Curtis. I wante'
to thank you for hauling me up here
How's Mr.. Hampden?"
Better" She smiled up at him II
the friendliest way. Her white sweat
or was buttoned close to her chin
and her hair was rumpled as II sh
had been sleeping, but her eyes wer
bright and happy as she looked at him
Sizing him up" as Ted himself woul
have expressed it. HE must hav
had some sort of a shock followin
nervous strain. the doctor said. The
haven't told his wife yet. They'r
both coming out of it all right.
called up twice after you left Ne'
York to make sure. You see, he ha
already given his message when b
fell, so all had to do was push
through and get you. Only did pr
in for you to come at once"
All she had to do. Ted simpl
stared at her Did she know ju:
what a fool he had been, just the Sol