The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-26
The Runaway S
Return
By ETHEL HOLMES

apSence OF ten years. His was case
OF stepmother The second Mrs. Bar
ringer was one of those women who
when they marry a man propose to
appropriate him and everything that
belongs to him to themselves. The only
person. except herself, for whom her
husband had any affection was his son. I
and on this account she hated the |
son. Ned. who was of rising gener- |
alton. concluded to take himself away. |
But there came time when Ned. |
having made strike. concluded to go |
back home and see his father Posi- |
bly, he might add to the old mans
comfort. though he doubted his ability
if the second Mrs Barringer were liv
ing. The homecomer reached at 10
O'Clock at night the town where he
had spent the first fifteen years Of his
life.
On reaching the house he saw lights
within but heard no sound. He rang.
but received no answer. He tried the
front door and found it locked He
walked around the house, looking
through the windows but saw no one.
Standing below the window of what
had been his own room, he looked up
at it. There was the trellis that he
had so often descended at night and
ascended in the small hours of the
morning Yielding to temptation, he
put foot on it and went up almost as
Srry as when a boy. There was nc
! light in the room, so he could see moth
ing He tried the sash, and it went
up Softly stepping inside, he was
heading for the place where the gas
| fixture had been when suddenly there
came a food of electric light. A girl
stood with finger on button beside
the door while in the other hand she
held revolver pointed at Ned's head.
Come lower that gun" he said. ut
might go off I'm no burglar. Why
didn't you answer my ring?"
The girl had no voice for reply. and
Ned went on:
I'm Ned Barringer. Is my father
| alive or dcadt"
The weapon dropped from the girls
hand and she showed signs Of keeling
over Ned started toward her. but she
shrank back. BY an effort she con-
trolled herself and finally said:
"YOur father is living"
Where is he!
'In hospital. He has just submit
ted to dangerous operation. He needs
something to pull him through. hope
your return will do it"
81 will go to him at once"
Not tonight I have just left hirr
, sleeping.
Did YOU just come in?"
Yes: by the front door"
; That's how ! missed you. Is the
cat still living?'
What cat!"
The second Mrs. Barringer."
"Shc died three years ago"
"And you are
Your cousin. Margaret Curtis"
"Ah. my mothers sister. Aunt Mar
, garet's child
Yes. When Mrs. Barringer died un'
! Gle dShtu II hiSht hOs >'.''N
and live with him"
Ned approached the girl, put an aru
; around her. drew her gently to him
, and kissed her
: so YOU have been doing" he said
. what ! should have done-taking care
Q of father"
"IIow fortunate that you have come
back, He has been pining for you fol
years"
: How about his wifeF'
..That is n sad story She was hor
b rid to him.
4 $50 YOU think I'd better not try to
see him tonight"
"Certainly not. and only tomorrow II
the doctor advises 1t
"Well, cousin. I've had nothing tt
: eat since noon. | think I'll go dowr
m the sideboard, where mother uset
TO keep nice things to eat. She kept j
locked to prevent my getting them bn
| had way OF taking out top draw
or and reaching down through th'
opening.
| "You don't need to do that now
II Come.
Margaret started to lead the wa.
| downstairs. but Ned stepped up be
side her and insisted on going dowl
hand in hand. Having turned on tn
lights in the dining room, Margare
brought out some substantial refresh
ments from the refrigerator and som
delicacies from the sideboard. The
she sat on the table, and Ned pre-
ceeded to make himself at home a
he had not done since the advent OF hi
stepmother. When he had fnishe
he lighted a cigar and he and his cousi
sat ON a sofa in the living room Il
midnight. Then Ned went up TO tn
room he had entered earlier in th
evening by the window and went
ted.
One thing Ned was sorry to see
his old home The place had becom
dilapidated and the furniture worl
An this indicated that the owner wa
in straitened circumstances. But
another respect it pleased him. ID
,,npor for ranairG