The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-13
Humphrey Found
His Heart
BY VIRGINIA BLAIR

lie had been the eldest son and had
assumed heavy responsibilities when
his father died Now that the young
err children We're wage earners, and
LIS mother had married again. Hum
phrey was free for the first time In
his life.
tie Intended to get married. His
choice lay between two village beau
ties. AS yet he had not paid marked
attention to either of them. but as
he rammed his hat down on his head
enc gusty September night and start
ed for walk. he knew that he must
make his decision.
He did not ask himself whether he
loved Rose or Mary. They were good
girls, and would make good wives. His
mother had married his father In her
young years of romance. and the mar
riage had turned out badly She had
impressed it on Humphrey that love
was an unstable thing, and that he
would be happier without it.
Yet something stirred In Humphrey
as ne left the village street and came
out upon a long stretch of road. which
showed white for a little way and
was then hidden by the backness OF
the grove beyond. Overhead the moon
raced through the ragged clouds.
Humphrey brought his mind back
sternly to the subject in hand Which
should it be. Rose or Mary? The fair
one or the dark. the short one or the
tall?
The wind blew strongly, and as
Humphrey entered the shadows of the
wood a thousand voices seemed to
mock him, but above all the tumult
came human note. little cry, "Oh,
please-help!"
Humphrey stopped. "Whc Is it,"
he asked sharply.
A white shape seemed to detach
itself from the sable background. Il
Il have--lost my way" quivered
woman's voice. "and- and am
afraid"
Humphrey struck match. a face
appeared within the circle of light
child's face, except for the maturity
OF the troubled brow.
Humphrey struck another match.
"You are wet" he said. abruptly.
Were you in the storm this after
noon?"
Yes" The match had gone out
and they were again In darkness.
Yes" walked from the car. am
from the city. heard they needed
girls up here to pick grapes and SOL
came"
lie could read extreme fatigue In
the dragging voice.
Come" he said. suddenly you
must go to the village You need
something to eat-a hot drink"
Il can't walk another step" She
was crying softly. I've hurt my
foot"
Are you afraid to stay here?"
Humphrey asked. "I'l go back and
get my horse"
Il hate to hear he owls" she
sobbed, when they hoot-and the
frogs"
In the darkness Humphrey smiled.
What a child she was-w!h 4 Won
ans eyes. They can't hurt you," he
said, good naturally "l'll be back
In minute"
When he returned to the girl he
found her curled up against n fallen
log. I've brought robe" he said
Wrap yourself In It."
| When she was safe in the seat he
began TO think where he should take
| her. There was no hotel and the
sQualid boarding house where the
grape.hands boarded was no place for
, this little slender thing. Ills own
home was presided over by his mar
ried sister grim young woman who
would look askance at the city stray
As they reached the crossroads he
turned his horses head away from
his own house II am going to take
you." he said. TO my great aunt's.
She's seventy and she lives by her
ssls. and she's as good.-as gold
"But can't 60 on to the farm
where they want help" she Ques-
toned
You can rest at my aunts to-
night" he said. evasively
When a few minutes later he had
made his explanations to Aunt Ret
sey. and had ushered his little stray
into her presence. ne was silent for a
moment before the revelation OF the
girls beauty.
by the light OF the match he had
seen only her face. hut now all the
grace and charm of her delicate
frame were revealed
I've got some cold baked beans. -"
said Aunt Betscy, bustling. and I'll
warm them up. and you shall have a
cup of tea"
Humphrey blushed as she spoke %
baked beans. He could not have de
fined his feelings, but this divinity
was worthy -ambrosia.
But as she ate the good feed set
down before her. daint.ly but With
appetite. she seemed somehow 10
clorify the act