The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-08-04

way to insult a man whose only fault
was q desire to possess the Egerton
homestead. He determined to make
one more effort to see him. He called,
but again was obliged to be content
with seeing the secretary. the doctor
having again gone to the city on i'm
portant business.
"Is this DOCTOR" he asked in an irri-
tated tone, "a regularly educated ply
sician or a quack?"
"Dr. EgertOn is something higher
than even a regularly educated physi-
clan. The doctors title is doctor of
philosophy"
What. then, does he do for a iv-
ingT
1.-The doctor is sociologist."
"Oh, see; has something to do with
the running Of the town charities"
"City charities principally"
II know man who has such q posi-
ton, but he doesn't get much of a sal
ary." ...,. an:
To this there was no response.
well" continued Aborn, II wish you
would tell this sociologist that he'd
better cut out his degree till he has
learned to treat his fellow men with
proper civility. had perfect right to
inquire whether he would sell his
place and was led to believe that an
offer would be acceptable even If not
accepted. Then receive an
You have not yet offered enough.
The doctor holds the property far above
its intrinsic worth on account Of its
having been so long in the family"
Aborn, being angry, thought how
nice it would be to offer price this
insulting sociologist could not afford to
decline.
very WELL" he said, tell him I'll
give him 100000 for it. When will he
be at homer
Tomorrow"
"Ill call for the reply"
AbOrn looked over the premises as
he went away and determined to give
double the price offered If necessary,
buy adjoining tracts and make the
place paradise. Though he did not
know it, all this fever to possess the
place was born OF the desire to have
his own way in everything and to
take revenge for having been told the
truth.
on the lake when he met the girl he
had seen on the landing. She was in a
canoe.
BEG pardon" he said, "but"-
The girl stopped padding and waited.
Perhaps you will remember suggest
house up there asking If he would
like to sell the placer
"WellY
what kind of man Is he anyway
"Dr. Egerton is very level headed
person. Anything the doctor tells you
has weight to It,"
HIN! He's no gentleman"
"There you are right. | must admit
that the doctor is not a gentleman in
any respect"
"Why did you not tell me this be-
fore"
AOu uiu uoJ uoh LUZ uhO' AdtlOu DC
to his attributes"
HE is cad"
He Is very plain spoken"
II should think he Is"
II hope my suggestion hasn't led to
anything disagreeable."
"Oh, the suggestion was very sensi-
BILE as well as very kind"
rs the place for sale?'
II suppose it is. But for a man who
gets probably $75 month for running
the poor he's mighty independent"
The girl made no reply TO this. In
deed, she indicated that the dialogue
didn't interest her by putting her pad
die in the water. Aborn dipped his
oars, and they pulled apart.
During the afternoon AbOrn called
at DR. Egertons to learn If 100000
would buy a place worth not over a
third Of that amount. He had given
up any expectation of seeing the doc
tor. Indeed, he rather thought it bet
ter he should not. He feared he would
be tempted to punch the mans head.
He was standing in the drawing room
looking out through window on the
lake when, hearing a rustic of woman's
clothing behind him, he turned, expect
ing to see the secretary. What was
his amazement to see the girl he had
met first on the landing and the same
morning in canoe Her eyes were
bubbling with mischief
"Ww-hat does this mean" he stam-
mered.
"You called to see Dr. Egerton, did
you not?''
YES"
II am DR.. Egerton."
Your"
Eyes. lam Cornelia Egerton, Phi. D."
II see."
1t was scarcely necessary for him to
add anything to these two simple words,
for 1t was evident that his eyes had
been opened.
Very stupid Of me, wasn't it?"
BE seated. l owe you an apology.
The temptation was too strong for me-"
How about that information you got
about me?"
| Made out Of whole cloth"