The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-12
AN ALIBI FOR BOND

while your mOtner ana l are away
will be a good time to have the car
put into shape" This remark ad-
dressed by Frank Bond, ST., to Frank
Bond, Jr., on the eve of the formers
departure for a weekend trip to the
country was the wet blanket upon the
plans that the younger Bond had been
LAYING for his own weekend diversion.
When the bolt fell he was driving the
car in question home from business
and to vent his feelings he sounded
the horn with unusual vigor.
There are several little things that
need attention and there will be all
day Saturday to do it in
Bond, junior, merely grunted and
| turned an unnecessary sharp corner.
That night he took little interest In
the plans of his elders for their short
weekend trip. His mind was too full
of his own plans that had been frus-
trated He had been so confident when
he had laid them before Molly, and
Molly's blue eyes had danced so mer-
rily as she made plans for the picnic
luncheon which she would prepare
with her own fair hands. If only he
hadn't been SO sure, if he had only left
loophole through which he could
make his exit.
going down town for a WHILE" he
sauntered out after dinner in the d.
rection of Molly's house.
Just as he passed Gink's garage
Bond. Junior, had an inspiration-not
very brilliant one, but one which,
like the proverbial straw, was at least
worth snatching at.
Frank sauntered into the gloomy.
badly lighted concrete interior, care
fully stamping out the cigarette that
he had been smoking as he moodily
! regarded the mo Smoking sign.
Ginks, Junior, approached him, wiping
gasoline from his hands.
Say, Ginks," Frank said, with what
he took to be an interesting tone OF
dependency In his voice, the Cover.
nor is going to bring the car around
early in the morning to have some re.
pairs done-nothing that needs to be
done Immediately but some little Jobs.
Listen to me! You can't fix it. You
haven't time. In fact, you won't have
room in the garage for it,
Wake up" muttered Bond. II said
you wouldn't be able to fix the car,
and, by the way, any time you want to
use my baseball pass it's yours. Do
you get me-"
Ginks grinned. 81 get you. Got a
lady friend?"
Never you mind what I've got Just
| you take the hint IL you know what's
healthy for you"
well, of course stammered Ginks
Junior, 81 know how you feel about it.
Got girl of my own"
Rather resenting this piece Of IA
|smiliarity on the part of the young son
OF the garage owner. Bond went on
toward the home Of Molly. There was
IN air Of thwarted ambition in Bonds
manner that night that rather egged
Molly on to unusual vivacity and SYM
pathy. On leaving he remembered the
loophole.
ITS barely possible" he remarked,
YEARLY regarding the brim of his hat,
that the car will be out of commits
sion tomorrow. I'm awfully sorry, and
II II Is I'll let you know very early"
The plan of Bond, junior. aided and
abetted by Ginks, Junior, worked ad-
mirably in the morning and Bond.
senior, ran the car back into his gar
age without the shadow of a suspi-
cion.
Saturday was fair and the shoe
string that held the disconnected
speedometer was strong enough for
its task and did not give way. Molly
was especially charming.
Monday the car was safely locked in
the Bond garage, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Bond had come home in high glee.
There was no hint of trouble until
Tuesday noon when Mrs. Bond at
luncheon began by showing especial
solicitude for Bond, junior, which
Bond, junior. was wise enough to
know meant that Bond. senior, was in
wrong. Toward her husband she wore
an air of injured innocence Some
thing had made her Jealous Bond,
Junior, was sure of that.
In the hall. after dinner, he caught
the son by the coat sleeve.
81 want to see you in the garage"
he said.
Son." began the father, when they
had reached the small automobile
shelter, I'm in real predicament and
maybe you can help me out You know
yesterday went around with some of
my clients. Some of them are women
and one of them is blonde, and your
mother knows it, This morning she
found this slipped in the back cush-
ion."
Bond, senior, produced from his coat
pocket a single golden wire hair pin.
That's what's the matter with her. II
you can prove an alibi for me it will
be all right. II you could say, for in
stance, that you had been out with a
blonde on Saturday when we were
away would give you my blessing"
Bond, junior, Strengthened up. A
new feeling of chumminess for his ia |
ther welled up within him and braced |
him for his confession.
Yes" he said, "Fll do it, and, dad, !
do you mind giving me that little hair /
pin, just as a token. You know I am /
pretty fond of Molly"
Copyright ISIS. by Mcclure Newspaner
SzIdicatel