The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-22

I'VE out my LIE - / saw at. What I
feared has come Ny husband has dis
covered me-"
He was here-he is trying to make
you trouble?" began Bartlett. and he
reused up lion-like.
Not himself, but he has sent an
agent to represent him. This man. a
lawyer, came to me today. He said
that my husband is i'll, dying In a
neighboring city. He told me that his
last wish Is to see his boy, my darling
little Benny. Oh. Mr.. Bartlett! can,
not you see that this is a plot to rob
me of my child? The lawyer tried to
tell me how had misjudged my hus-
band. | refused to listen. Six years
ago that false husband and father
basely deserted US. Now he wishes
to take the one person love away
from mel"
Old Bartlett could not determine
the merits of the case, but he was
true to Mrs. RawsOn. She did not go
into the details Of her separation from
her husband, but he believed she
would always be in the right.
Il noticed a man waiting outside
while the lawyer was here" continued
Mrs. Rawson. 'That was this morn
ing. Ever since, at intervals, this sec
ond man has lurked about the neigh
borhood. Don't you seer cried the
agitated woman-'they are going to
kidnap Benny! Perhaps the lawyer is
arranging some legal trick, while his
accomplice watches this house to see
that l do not escape their clutches
with Benny. So you must take Ben
ny away" declared the anxious moth
or. you must hide him until / ind
out how far these wicked schemers
will CO."
why, l. can do that" replied old
Bartlett. Benny likes me and will
stay with me. There is my old hut.
Il Ia isolated. no one ever comes near
It. Dear lady, leave It all to mel
will carry Benny away in my bag"
This was done. II any one was
watching, they never dreamed that
within the accustomed has, snug and
quiet AZ q mouse. Benny reposed. The
novelty Of the quaint home of the
bagman prevented Benny from becom-
ing lonely. The plan worked admir-
ably. and old Bartlett was delighted
to be able to circumvent the designs
OF wicked plotters against the dear
lady whom he SO respected. That very
evening the bagman CHANGED to be
passing q clump of trees near the
Rawson home. He became an caves
dropper to the conversation Of the
lawyer and his assistant.
It opened his eyes to a wonderful
truth. It changed the entire complex
ion of the case. Nightly stirred up,
old Bartlett decided to act on his own
initiative. He FASTENED to his lonely
hut. He took Benny new journey
not In the bag this time. He returned
to the town the next morning-alone.
Benny" spoke Mrs. Rawson anx.
lously. as Bartlett appeared at her
home.
He is with his father-I took him
there and you are to Join both of
them right away" was the amazing
reply Of the bagman. Don't get star.
led now" he urged soothingly, lev
erything is all right. Only listen, and |
hen be thankful, for all your troubles
are over"
And then humble, loyal old Bartlett
'ecited marvellous story. The over
heard conversation of the two strang.
RS had enlightened him. Allan Raw
ION did not wish to take little Benny
way from his mother-only to see
linn. He dared not hope that his wife
night come too. yet her place was by
lis side
That Is, II she could forgive He
lad not deserted her. Travelling out
Vest on business bent, he had become
involved with some swindling scoun-
lrels, who left him to bear the brunt
4 prison sentence for their own
rimes. He was ashamed to inform
us wife that the stain Of q convict
vas upon him. He was helpless for
hree years to contribute to her sup
'ort.
Now relative had left him for
une and he had sought her out. He
lad been very i'll, but the sight of lit
lie Benny had brought new hope and
Iealth. And she. his wife, always
oved-old Bartlett's eyes regarded
er pleadingly.
i will go to him." spoke Edna Raw
on, with shining eyes.
Copyright. 1916. by w. @. Chapman.)
laughs Batter Than Madeline.