The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-19
The Girl at
Clancy's Ball
She Had One Short
Romance.

NOlu0u(Cs T
: By CHARLES ALBERT WILLIAMS :
= Copyright by Frank A Munsey Co. Z
sssssssssssssssssesss>e
John Harmon Of the Morning Bulle-
TIN pulled abstractedly upon his cigar
and gazed around the tumultuous hall.
It was the night of Boss Clancy's ball.
The dancing floor was crowded with
rotating men and women. Girls OF the
shop and factory swayed and gyrated
IN the clasp Of men, coarse featured
and unintelligent
Harmon reused from his contempla
ton OF the noisy scene and turned to
MS companion, MOwbray Of the Re-
corder.
IF anything's going to break here to-
night let 1t come soon," he remarked.
Mowbray shrugged indifferently.
A young girl, her face flushed from
the last dance. hurried toward the re-
porters' table. She was a frail little
creature OF twenty. blue eyed and
blond. Frequently as she approached
she looked back and futtered a fright
ened glance at man following her.
Excuse me-" she said half breath
lessly, hating before the newspaper
men and addressing Harmon. "Help
me out Of this, please. This man has
been annoying me-wants me to dance
with him. I'm afraid of him"
sit down." Harmon said crisply.
He faced her and affected a CONVEX
sation.
The man came up presently and.
paus1ng only to glare belligerently at
Harmon, reached over and seized the
girls arm.
Never mind your dandy dude
friend" he blurted; spiel this with
me-" The girl drew back and shook
her head.
Come on" the stranger insisted, re-
tanning her arm.
The girl made a sudden, violent
movement and wrenched herself from
his grasp. He leaned forward to
clutch her. but Harmon caught his
hand.
whats the use" he remarked.
laughing. "You can't make the girl
dance. Don't insist You'll cause
scene"
The stranger turned to Harmon, his
mouth drawn into a menacing snarl.
Don't mix in this unless He
waved his hand threateningly. "Well,
you don't want to be sorry, do your"
He became enraged at Harmon's cool
glance.
"Who are you, anyway" he bawled.
Know who I am? I'm one of Clan
cy's men,"
Harmon smiled. I'm not at all in
terested In your pedigree" he said. ut
seems to me you might let her alone in
spite Of It,"
A malignant light glowed in the
strangers eyes.
Say" he said, II do things my own
way" His voice rose to a shout. "An'
this is my gal, seev'
AAC pluSCu LIS 1uTIuOu
shoulders. Before the reporter could
rise from his chair he was hurled back
ward, but he caught the edge Of the
table and escaped nasty fall.
With lips compressed in an effort to
control an outburst, he scrambled to
his feet and stood silent a moment
considering what he might best do to
avert the fellows violence and yet as
sist the girl
He opened his lips to speak, but was
interrupted by the cry Of "A fightr'
which went up from a nearby table.
There was scuffling Of feet, and a
group Of eager eyed, expectant men and
women gathered about them. Now
bray stepped between the two men.
STEADY, john" he said. This sort
of thing is hardly
Harmon felt ringing blow upon his
head, then suddenly he went blind and
Later In the hospital, he opened his
eyes wide and staring. He stirred un-
easily and rolled his pounding head
upon the pillows.
Somewhat indistinctly he saw the
many cots and heard the heavy breath. |
ing Of those about him. He was be- |
wildered for space, but sensations Of |
dull. pulsating pain assured him he
was back In a real world.
He wondered just what had occur
red, but, contenting himself with the |
reflection that he would soon learn all |
from Mowbray. he fell asleep.
He awoke in a world Of sunshine and |
less pain. Save an occasional inter-
mittent numbness and throbbing at the |
temples he was comfortable.
From the nurse who brought him |
breakfast he learned that 1t was almost |
midday.
"a young woman called to see you
early this morning." the nurse told
him as he handed her the tray.
"a young woman he asked
The nurse nodded. "She said she'd |
be back"
Young woman? Harmon was plung. |
ed into perplexity by the incident and
turned at once to the consideration of |
90 - -.