The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-19
The Girl at
Clancy'S Ball
She Had One Short
Romance.
By CHARLES ALBERT WILLIAMS
copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.


'onn Harmon Of the Morning Bulle,
IN puned abstractedly upon his cigar
and gazed around the tumultuous hall
~ was the night OF Boss Clancy's hall
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-
uon Oh the noisy scene and turned to-
us companion, Mowbray of the Re
corder.
II anything's going to break here to-
nlgnt let 1t come soon," he remarked
MoWbray shrugged indifferentIv
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,
pausing 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 a
scene"
The stranger turned to Harmon, his
mouth drawn into 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 | am? I'm one of Clan
cy's men,
Harmon smiled. I'm not at all In
terested in your pedigree" he said. 1T
seems to me you might let her alone in
spite of 1t"
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 seer
He placed his hands upon Harmon's
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 fight!
which went up from nearby table.
There was a scuffiing 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 a ringing blow upon his
head. then suddenly he went blind and
unconscious.
Later, in the hospital, he opened MS
ewes wide and staring. he stirred I'M
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-
yildered for a space. but sensations OF
dull, pulsating pain assured nam ne
was back In real world.
He wondered Just what had occur
red but, contenting himself with the
,eAection that he would soon learn all
from Mowbray, be fell asleep.
uaawoke In a world Of sunshine and
less main. Save an occasional inter
-,Ittent numbness and throbblng at the
,omnles he was comfortable.
From the nurse who brought him
hroakfast he learned that it was almost
midday.
IA voung woman called to see you
carly 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" z,.,-.
young woman? Harmon was pluhg-
81 ,nto perplexity by the incident ana
tu-npd at once to the consideration OF
This new phase Of his adventure.
OF the many young women OF MS &C
,,ointa1ce he could think Of none VINO
T,igbt cali upon him in bis present pre-
.,osmont One would doubtless visit
III mon hearing of his plight but
.ha had left the city only the preceding
.ttornoon to visit her people In chi
, raCo