The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-28
he Runaway's S
Return
Bv ETHEL HOLMES


MO Of ten years. His was a case
tenmother. The second Mrs. Bar
Or was one Of those women who
they marry a man propose to
,onriate him and everything that
ugs to him to themselves. The only
on except herself, for whom her
hand had any affection was his son.
On this account she hated the |
Ned. who was of rising gener.
concluded to take himself away
= there came a time when Ned.
inc made a strike. concluded to go
home and see his father. Posi-
be might add to the old mans
fort though he doubted his ability
no second Mrs Barringer were liv-
The homecomer reached at 10
ock at night the town where he
spent the first fifteen years of his
reaching the house he saw light,
hin but heard no sound. He rang.
received no answer. He tried the
h door and found 1T locked. He
ked around the house, looking
NIGH the windows. but saw no one.
ndinc below the window of what
heen his own room, he looked up
Il There was the trellis that he
90 often descended at night and
ended In the small hours of the
ming. Yielding to temptation, he
foot on it and went up almost as
as when a boy. There was nc
N in the room, so he could see moth
He tried the sash, and it went
Softly stepping inside, he was
ding for the place where the gas
lure had been when suddenly there
be food Of electric light. A girl
Od with a finger on a button beside
door. while in the other hand she
d a revolver pointed at Ned's head.
Come, lower that gum" he said. ut
eht 60 off. I'm no burglar. Why
mt you answer my ring?"
he girl had no voice for reply. and
y went on:
|rm Ned Barringer. Is my father
Ne or dead"
the weapon dropped from the girls
nd, and she showed signs Of keeling
er. Ned started toward her, but she
rank back. BY an effort she con-
blled herself and finally said:
Your father is living"
Where is he?"
In hospital. He has just submit
to a dangerous operation. He needs
nething to pull him through. I hope
ur return will do it."
u will 60 to him at once"
Not tonight. have just left hilr
Feping."
Did you just come in?'
Yes by the front door,"
That's how l missed you. Is the
still living?"
What cat?'
The second Mrs. Barringer."
'She died three years ago"
And you are"-
Your cousin, Margaret Curtis"
"Ah, my mothers sister. Aunt Mar
nets child"
Yes. When Mrs. Barringer died u1
asked mother If might not come
ID live with him"
Ned approached the girl, put an arm
ound her. drew her gently to hin
ID kissed her.
30 you have been doing" he said
Fhat should have done-taking carr
father"
How fortunate that you have CONE
lck' He has been pining for you fo
ars."
how about his wife?"
That is a sad story. She was hor
to him."
So you think I'd better not try t'
him tonight?"
Certainly not, and only tomorrow
le doctor advises it."
Well, cousin, I've had nothing Z
since noon. | think I'll go dowl
the sideboard, where mother use'
keep nice things to eat. She kept i
1Sed to prevent my getting them, bu
nad way Of taking out top draw
and reaching down through th'
fening."
lou don't need to do that now
ONE
Margaret started to lead the wa.
"hstairs, but Ned stepped up be
We her and insisted on going dow
tad In hand. Having turned on tn
Jus in the dining room, Margare
Ousht out some substantial refresh
cuts from the refrigerator and som
'cacles from the sideboard. Thel
sat On the table, and Ned pro
ued to make himself at home a
uad not done since the advent of III
'pmother When he had fnishe'
ughted a cigar and he and his cousil
On sofa In the living room III
uight- Then Ned went up to IN
Sl he had entered earlier In tn
ung by the window and went I
d
'ue Thing Ned was sorry to see Il
od home. The place had becom
pnated and the furniture worn