The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-29

that he had grown sleek and parted |
his hair In the middle. His sermon !
was on the value of a correct interp~c-
tation of the Scriptures, and his in |
depreciation of certain passages per-
tanning to riches We're very comforting |
to his congregation. Arkansaw was |
slightly disappointed in his friends de- |
velopment, but his heart was still with |
the man who had been his chum till the |
spell-on his chum's part-had been
broken by marriage. At the end of
door for the rector and his family to
come out Vinton on seeing him grasp
ed his hand cordially, but Mrs. Vim
ton could not conceal look of annoy
ance. Arkansaw was dressed In south
western costume. His nat did not
shine as did the rector's, for the latter
was of silk, while Arkansaw's was of
felt, with a very wide brim.
"Come to my study tomorrow" said
Vinton. This is, of course, busy
day with me. Monday is for us Of the
cloth our day off. I shall expect you
by o O'clock"
Then yinton was hurried away by
his wife lest he should be seen talking
to the rawboned Arkansan.
Davis rather expected his old chum
to take him home with him to dinner
vinton did not dare TO do so since he
knew the guest would be frozen out by
his wife. SO the man from the south
west was thrown upon his own re
sources For the rest of the day. After
dinner he sat smoking in the hotel of
flee. A gentleman sitting near opened
| conversation with him.
| Before parting with this person
| Davis learned disagreeable truth.
| There was a skeleton In the rectory OF
| Vinton's church Mrs Vinton was nc
| copting the attentions of man OF
fashion. The congregation would nave
already brought the matter before the
vestry except for their attachment TO
their rector, who was the only person
that appeared to be ignorant of the
situation.
The next morning Davis and Ninton
met in the rector's study. Ninton, now
TINT he was alone with his old chum.
relapscd into the chum of former days.
But there was no invitation to the rec
tory. Mrs. Vinton had put her veto on
Arkansaw.
Glow long will you stay here. ArkT'
asked the rector.
I'm not decided about my going.
NAV he here a day or two, ana ]
may 90 suddenly, so I'll say goodby
In case don't see yon again
vinton pressed his friends hand
Davis saw that there was something
on his mind, but could not fathom IT.
The same afternoon the tall south
. erner appeared at the office Of one L
Robinson Rhodes and sent In his card
The office boy who delivered 1t return
ed with the inquiry as to the nature
, Of the callers business.
"Private." was the reply.
THE boy went back and presently re
turned with the words Come In ant
led the visitor to the office door. Davis
saw man dressed In the height o.
fashion sitting at rosewood desk
Looking about to see that they were
alone. the southerner closed the doc
and turned the key. Mr.. Rhodes look
ed at him In surprise.
"What do you want with me, sir
he said.
"Sign that" replied Davis, laying {
paper on the desk before Mr. Rhodes
. 1t read:
From this day / agree to forego an,
association with lady to whom ! nav
been paying marked attention, never agar
10 call upon her at her house or to 1ol
her elsewhere.
Mr.. Rhodes eyes were fixed upol
this paper long enough to have read ]
n dozen times. He was thinking wha
. to do. He was no coward and resolved
to try to dominate the man who seem
ed disposed to interfere in his affairs
He turned upon Davis fiercely.
as this case Of blackmailF
"You know that it Is not
. 81 don't know who is the lady tt
whom you refer but IL you intend t.
drag any lady into a quarrel you are
/ contemplate"
"There is no necessity for draggin.
the lady's name into a quarrel. | hav,
not mentioned her in his paper"
/ Suppose | refuse to sign IT.
, "You shall sign II"
"IIow do you propose to compei me!
There is but one way ] can compc
! YOU without iniuring others. III yot
| refuse ! shall seek you out In some
nublic place and insult you. ] am moi
known in this city, and no one will sup
, pose that my real motive is to prevent
your bringing ruin upon my friend, his
wife and his children"
, There was something so quietly de
tcrmincd in the southerncr's manner
! that his adversary saw there was nc
, escape for him. What his course would
> have been had he not had all to lose
and nothing to gain no one knows, bun
! he saw that this man was saving nm
from himself and yielded.
~ must communicate my reasons u
TO the lady for my action" he said
! after bordering.
sSThat Is admissible"
Davis left with the pledge duly sign
4 IL IL