The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-19
PAWNS!
BY HOPE AlNSLIE.

meerschaum. The floor clock had
chimed eight several minutes before
and Anthony Saxton had not put in an
appearance.
After a bit. Mr.. Podderingtons keen
ear detected the sound of rubber
tires on gravel, and the lines Of his
wrinkled old face softened as he
touched a bell. One could never tell
at Anthony's age which game of chess
would be the last.
Hello, JIMMY" Anthony, fat and
apoplectic Of complexion, waddled into
the room. Sorry I'm late.'
Mr.. Podderington grunted sourly.
"You look it! What did you come at
all for il you have to be late?"
"Tut-tut, Jimmy. Don't be so vine
gary. I'm late because had to send
telegram. Nellies girl is coming to
visit her granddaddy. had a letter
today. l haven't seen her since she
was baby, and-let's see-how old is
she now? l forget, but she graduated
last spring."
Are we, or are we not, going to
have a game tonight? II you'd rather
have q quilting bee, where everyone
can talk his head OF, we might ar
range it,"
Anthony put out protesting hand.
All right James. I'll play right now
and won't say another word"
And secretly tickled to DEATH"
snapped Mr.. Podderington. moving his
queens pawn two spaces with q jerk.
When your relation arrives that
means an end to all this. / hope you
realize"
Mr.. Saxon looked his wretchedness.
Podderington decided to change tao.
tics.
"All right, Toney, don't worry. Well
fix it some way. l have It! I'll send
for one Of Bertha's boys to visit me.
Anything over twenty, say. There
now, drop the whole thing and play"
The week before Mr.. Anthony Sax
| ton received the disturbing news of
his granddaughter visit, Mrs. Tom
| Weatherby happened to look out Of
! her living-room window just as Vir-
| ginia Weatherby and Harold Harcourt
parted company.
Mrs. Weatherby's keen eyes de-
tected something in his manner that
made her bristle with indignation. And
when Virginia came in with blazing
cheeks and a soft, happy light in her
deep blue eyes, the rage in her moth
er's heart overflOwer it's bounds.
| Virginia, this nonsense between
you and Harold Harcourt has got to
stop. Your Grandfather Saxton would
never permit it. You must remember
your duty to your family. II we al
lowed such thing as marriage with
anyone of the Harcourt family, we
should be cut off without a cent"
And after heart-to-heart talk with
Mr.. Weatherby, it was decided that it
was time to remind Grandfather Sax
ton Of their existence anyway, and Vir-
ginia's trip was planned.
Virginia" said Grandfather Saxton
across the prodigious dinner table the
first evening, IAN old friend is coming
tonight to play cards."
Something in her sad face made it
hard for him to suggest that she make
any effort to entertain strange young
man at his bidding.
The old man felt misgivings. pod
derington's an old fool" he exploded
suddenly, to Virgina's surprise and
wonderment. Look here, Virginia,
he's bringing a young cub of a grand
son of his along for you to entertain.
You look him over and IL you don't
like him say SO and out he'll co."
At eight o'clock precisely, a motor
sounded upon the drive, then came q
few loud taps Of the knocker. In an
other instant, Mr.. James Podderington
came into the room followed by q
younger man, who stopped suddenly
when the girl got up from her chair
and turned to meet them.
virginia." he cried, starting for
ward.
Harold" cried Virginia at the same
moment and looking as though she
were undecided whether to faint or
rush headlong into the arms he was
making it apparent were quite ready
to receive her. But the color in her
cheeks made it plain to Grandfather
Saxton that her recent indisposition
was not due entirely to poor health.
"Huh-huh! What's all this?" cried
Mr.. Podderington.
They seem to know one another
JIM" ventured Anthony. Virginia.
this is Mr.. Podderington. Now please
tell us the joke and who it's on. Sit
down, everyone
yes, yes! And times flying Please
be quick!" added the other old man
impatiently as he looked at the clock.
I'm tell you" put in Harold. noting
Virginia's beseeching look. Virginia
and love one another and have for
years. But she isn't allowed to look at
me for fear Mr.. Saxton will disinherit
the family, and to tell you the truth,
grandfather, I'm not supposed to look
at Virginia, for dad says mother will
never get sou from you if marry
Weatherby. That's the truth"
Rot" exclaimed Mr. Podderington.
I'll disinherit the whole lot of DON
keys if you don't marry her-that's
what! Tony, are the things never
coming? We're late beginning our
game"
Yes, James, right away! You young
folks go into the library now and talk
about your troubles. And, Virginia
you write to your mother in the morn
ing and tell her I've picked your hus.
band, and his names Harold Harcourt.