The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-18

-niSs, IN buying place
TOT my son. He's a-coming to live with
me some day, he and my daughter.,n.
law. It amt no matter Of MONEY ,
Kin buy any place In Carisford
1 seen your ad.," be went on. "spd
l thought as I'd jest look at this placa
along OF some others as heard on, and
maybe I'd find something to suit Ana
how much would you be asking FOR
itT' he questioned when the insnac.
ton was finished.
"Forty-flve hundred" she answered
determinedly.
A long sigh escaped old Joe.
And won't take a cent less" added
the girl positively.
Dement, shook his head mournfully
1T sure is some price" he muttered
well, I'll think 1t over and see YOU
see you tomorrow maybe"
AS soon as she was rid of him Ethel
Grafton, full Of expectancy, hurried to
box 172.
She found the mail receptacle empty
and came home utterly crushed.
why, what's the matter, young
sterT demanded Ten Ringing that
evening the instant his eyes fell upon
her. Aren't sick, are your"
"N-no"
"Then you're worrying about some
thing" His tone was decisive. "Whal
is it?"
"N-nothlng."
"Oh, come now!
Ethel rocked In silence. The youne
man sat musing.
do you know" he exclaimed sud
denly, 1--WE been thinking it over, Eft
and well, I've decided to buy thai
cottage"
She collapsed into her chair, a hud
died, sobbing heap.
Tom bent over her tenderly.
What is 1t, dear?" he questioned, his
tone anxious.
Once more she rocked nervously, bu
made no response. There was lont
silence.
Suddenly a question tore her sorrow
full thoughts asunder.
"Was that you saw coming out o
the Warkworth place this afternoonP
In silence she sat, shiveringly await
ing the inevitable.
"Was it you, dearf" His tone was
gentle.
She gazed up at him in fearful ap
peal.
"Y-yes," she faltered. And then, II
sudden gust of despair, please don
ask me anything more about It, Tom.
eff 1t hurts you. dear l won't" b
returned.
His voice was soothing; and, rising
he gently stroked her brown hair.
"But, really, Et-honest-I don
want that big house-not now"
He stood a moment in meditativ
silence. Suddenly his hand stopped 1t
gentle stroking.
Intuitively, she knew that he ha
grown suddenly rigid. She glance
tremblingly up. His eyes were odd
agleam.
"IIl call tomorrow evening" he tol
her, "and perhaps I'll bring compan!
You won't mind it, will you, deary
"Why. no, Tom. But who is 1t"
Tom Ringing gazed calmly at her.
"That's a secret"
With odd expectancy she next ever
ing awaited his coming He was III
usually late.
After a long, long time she hear
steps upon the walk and the tramp
feet on the veranda.
Rising quickly, she snatched the ooc
omen even as the bell Jared forth II
summons.
Good evening, Miss Grafton" mul
INJURED an unctuous voice.
Ethel. shivering, drew away
"Good evening, Mr. Sharpley' 81
returned coldly. .-u-
"Mav we come ing" Tom Ringlin
spoke cheerlly from the shadow Uacl
ground.
She mechanically ushered them I'M
the coy parlor.
ut took me all day to find out WIZ
was troubling you, youngster'" decia
ed Tom Ringing without preface
soon as all were comfortably seate
"Tt was a case of too much fine hous
also too much Sharpley."
He glared savagely at the culprit
"Etbel you should never have Ute
20 match your wits with a man.
woman, you know tho,
he coughed himself into aoasneu
lence.
"WelI anyway" he at length aooe
"1 talked to Mr.. sharpley till he sa
dovl,gbt IN the distance. So now ne
r,tII,ne 70 list that white elephant :
von without charge and sell It witn0'
a commission fee"
; The girl smiled. ~ -o+rr
"But that's unnecessary" Sne le'ui
ed In triumph.
aWhyY' chorused both men. Ell. =
a., 30 reneated. because