The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-15

slep Oh tndt coat! HODO uon iet ho
body but me touch it. Tim was
track walker" she explained in re-
Spouse to Elinor's inquiring look. IAN
he got killed pullin' Hobo out from
under the wheels of an ingine. You
never see dog take on the way that
one did. He was jest wild till l gave
him that old brown coat O. Tins to
lay on"
"Oh. the dear. faithful little fellow!"
the girl cried "Oh, Mrs. Pickens,
when l see how loyal. how true to
their best instincts a dumb brute can
be 1t makes me ashamed OF myself
and my kind!"
Mrs. Pickens looked puzzled and
trifie puzzled. well, | dunno" she
said slowly. 1T seems as if it would
show more sense if Hobo d stay with
some O. them fellers that treat him so
we'll instead O. comm back here to be
kicked round by Pickens when he gifts
drunk, jest for the sake of lynn on
that old coat"
why, Mrs. Pickens, you don't mean
to tell me that Mr.. Pickens gets-er-
that he drinks!" exclaimed Elinor.
of men after al"
II don't know why not" Mrs. Pick
ems retorted. "Pickens is a money
maker an that's what was lookin, for.
Them politicians says he's the man for
their money, that he can deliver the
Pnndc pinEnno oit
In a while. an he may not be what
you'd call honest, but for my part
call Pickens a good bargain"
But your first husband must have
been SO different" Elinor faltered,
glancing at the portrait above her
head. HE looks SO kind and-and
honest"
He was" Mrs Pickens confessed,
wistful shadow creeping over her COM
placent red face "Pickens makes
sight most money. for Tim want prac-
tical-you'd know that by his losin'
his own life tryin' to save a dogs"
There was determined tilt to ELL
nor Ransom's softly rounded chin as
she went down the steps OF the tene-
ment house moment later. man
twice her age with tell-tale lines about
his mouth and pouches under his wa
terry gray eyes, hurriedly advanced to
meet her, tossing away as he did SO
an oily, black cigar.
Here you are at last" he said.
What the devil are you carrying that
bundle for? I told you to pay the |
woman what you owed her and say
goodbye to her since you insisted
upon 1t, but your things aren't worth |
bothering with. You've been down on
your luck so long that your clothes |
are about all in. But we'll fix all |
that, little GIRL" he added graciously,
his frown relaxing into a jovial man.
ner that was even more unpleasant
than his anger. "There'll be plenty !
Of time. after we have been to the
to drive to one Of the de-
partment stores and At you out to be
a credit to me before our train
leaves"
I'm not going with you. Mr.. Archer
IL can't marry you." the girl said.
81 suppose you want a little more
coaxing," he said sullenly. but. my
girl. you've kept me dangling after
you long enough" he exploded, laying
a heavy hand on her arm. Come
with me now, Elinor, and for the rest
Of your life You will get the fine
and the jewels and the pet
ting that every pretty woman wants,
but I'll never give you another chance
10 make fool of me-once for all, is
I yes or no?"
1T is no!-no!-no!" Elinor cried,
pulling away from the touch Of his
hands.
He turned away and left her with a
nuttered curse. but Elinor Ransom,
along the hot pavement in
Ealing the dust and odor left in the
rail of the big car. felt curiously
ight-hearted. Turning the corner she
Utmost ran into a shabby. broad-shoul-
Tered young man, whose whole face
lighted at the sight of the slim girl
With the big bundle.
Let me carry that for you. Miss
aansom," he said. falling into step at
Ter side. "All my luck Is coming to
ne at once-I thought l wouldn't be
bile to see you before this evening.
md I could hardly wait to tell you
hat I'd got a start at last. You
must have seen that loved you,
ear" the young fellow went on, his
dice shaking with the force Of long II
ent-up passion; "but thought 1t was
My fair to stand aside and let Arch
r, who could offer you life Of ease
nd luxury. win you II he could"
Elinor looked up quickly and saw
n the dark eyes that met hers the
anne expression she had seen in the
rude portrait of poor Tim Ryan-"the
ook of man unbought"
But at last I've got my chance"
ohm Talbot said brilliantly. I can't
fer you much except my love and a
cry modest little fiat. but I'm going
D make good I'm sure Of 1t now
ell me. Elinor-dearest-d you like
lie we'll enough to risk marrying me
omorrow?"
Il don't consider It a risk. John.
ear" the girl said demurely, a dell.
ious dimple lurking in the corner Of
er lovely mouth. But o. John,
ohm" she walled suddenly, clasping
is arm in the shock Of realization OF
er narrow escape from lifelong mis-.
~. Just suppose l hadn't stopped
t Mrs. Pickens and learned from her
hat bargain in husbands really Isl"