The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-14

edged the obligation and asked If there
were not some way of making a re-
turn.
There is only one way" said Simp-
son, "of doing that, but it would not be
permissible for me to mention 1t, at
least not now"
Were the watch an ordinary one"
replied the other, 81 should consider
that thanks expressed for its return
would be sufficient But 1t Is a very
valuable one. I have had 1t tested In
an astronomical observatory and those
in charge pronounced it equal for &C
curate timekeeping to their best chro-
nometers. But this Is unimportant be-
side the fact that 1t was given me by
my late wife. trust that you viii
think over the matter and find some
method Of enabling me to show my ap-
probation for its return"
How did It come into the position
in which found itT
81 cannot tell you. The watch was
stolen some time ago. Possibly the
one having 1t, fearing arrest, purposely
dropped 1t that he should not be In
eliminated by its being found on his
person"
II appreciate your feeling in the mat
ter, Mr.. Loring. l will endeavor to
think up some way by which you may
get your desire"
When Mr.. Loring went home that
evening there was much eagerness to
hear all about the recovery of his treas
ured keepsake. Had Simpson opened
the other side Of the case he would
have seen a photograph of an elderly
lady, the donor Of the watch, and
would have noticed a resemblance be-
tween 1t and the face on the other side.
What especially pleased those inter
ested was that this photograph was re-
turned unblemished, for it was the only
one Of Its kind in existence.
what kind OF a looking man was
he, papaY asked Miss Loring.
"a very gentlemanly appearing young
fellow"
did you offer to pay him the re-
ward?'
"Of course not. To offer a gentle
man a reward for the return Of lost
property would have been an insult.
I explained to him why I priced the
watch and asked him to name some
way that would be agreeable to him
whereby l might show my apprecia-
ton of his return of the property"
"What did he say to thatr'
HE said that there was only one
way of doing it, but 1t would not be
permissible for him to mention It. at
least not at present"
Miss Loring turned away to hide a
! faint blush. Her father continued:
II begged him to think over the
matter and endeavored to find some
method of my acknowledging the OBJ
legation"
did he say he wouldf"
| Eyes"
81 think, papa, that you can scarcely
expect that of him, or at least that
he should name any favor acceptable
| to him. 1t seems to me that it Is our
part to find a way to favor him."
"Well, Puss, what do you suggest?"
"Why, since he is a gentleman quite
likely he knows some one that we
know. In that way you might form
his acquaintance In a more conven.
tlonal way than by his returning the
watch, and then, you know, 1t would
be In order for you to invite him to
dinner"
II can invite him to dinner without
hunting up mutual friend. 1t strikes
me that returning man valued
keepsake in the shape of a $500 watch
is more of voucher than a conven
tional introduction"
There was no response to this, al
least none that was visible to the ia
Their, for Miss Lorings face was turn
ed away. Nevertheless her eve lighted
with satisfaction.
IAN invitation to dinner" she con
tinued, sis not In itself an expression
Of your appreciation of what the gen
an opportunity to discover how to con
vey favor"
II see," said the father. and, seating
himself before desk. he wrote the in
vitation.
Now, If the young lady had said, al
. will give me an opportunity to discov
er how to convey a favor" she would
have spoken the truth. And II she haC
said, "He wants the picture you carr.
In the lid of your watch; his comm,
: to dinner will enable me to find a wa,
| Of giving him a duplicate" she woul,
have told the whole truth.
When Simpson opened the Invitation
he looked as II he had been plunged Il
a basin Of Joy.
: you bet" he said to himself, "tha
1 George Simpson, Esq, has manages
4 this affair Just about right GeorgS
| you have good reason to be proud o
{ yourself"
I'll oh the concoif NJ mani Simnso