The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-23

can get work in any sawmill IN tne
Cumberlands. Come along Win me-
and
Mans fingers stole tenderly TO MS
curly hair. stroking it back from MS
face. and then down to his coat. ana
stopped. There was a withered rose
In III, buttonhole OF the lapel
WHO gave you that rose, biiiie!
liz, unused to the ways OF the SEX
to-. lie simple truth.
Go, it this afternoon down AT ROCKY
Bend"
"Schoolmaam gave 1t to you. didn't
She. Don't you want another one on
the o,her side from me, so you can
Show them both down at Potters
sore saturday night"
lie. hand came across his ears In .
sN..t box, aud Bill stood back.
Nan. listen"
no, won't listen to none OF your
lies, Billie You jest get down that
road. and take your medicine. reck-
on it's coming TO you when you ain't
got any letter sense than to come to
M and TAX a sweet streak, with that
gi.l's rose still sticking in your but.
to- hole.
y voice came clearly out OF the
laurel thieket above her head.
III Try to hit 1t the first time.
Nan
III Try TO hit 1t the first time.
Nan"
There was binding fare, pun
of smoke, and Bill tried to push the
girl behind him. His shoulder was
filed with pain like red hot live
wires, but he leveled his gun and
fred up at the green laurel. Back
came the swift answer. but not SO
surely. Bill wondered why there was
the roar Of surging waters In his ears
like the Upper Bend In a spring
freshet. why he could not see to aim,
why Nan kept standing there beside
him instead of beating to cover.
He fell forward at her feet. and
Nan, her face dead white. lips drawn
back from her pretty white teeth.
seized his rifle. and lifted It to her
own shoulder.
You clear out OF that laurel thick
ct, Griff Taller" she called. I'm do
ing 1t this time. and Ill get you. too. )"
Bills gun sang merrily until Grin
yelled for quarter. His face showed
family in the gloom as he peered out
at her.
Il called quits. didn't I? Stop your
shooting"
Take back what you said about
Billie and the schoolma'am. and give
me that paper pop signed" ordered
Nan. calmly.
Griff hesitated, looked at her again.
and dug for the paper. He tossed It
down at her feet as she held him GOV.
cred.
Take it. wouldn't marry you now
anyhow. you little wildcat. And It
looks like he wouldn't neither. He's
dead, amt he"
Il don't care whether he's dead or
not" Nan cried back, passionately. Il
won't be anybody else's. | know that. !"
She stood motionless as Griff rode
away. He was hurt. she guessed right.
ly, and great gladness swept down
over her. She had fought like one Of
the pioneer women. shoulder to shout.
der with her mate Now she knelt be.
side him, and felt for his heart to see
If 1t was beating.
The mare lowered her head and
whinnied anxiously.
ITS all right. Gypsy Belle" Nan
told her. the quick sobs coming al
last thick and fast. billie, can't you
hear me one bit?' She lifted his head
on her shoulder. smoothing back bis
rough curly hair tenderly, pressing
her face to his. billie. I've got the
paper away from him. He can't hold
dad one bit now. And I'll go up into
the Cumberland with you, dear. All
Billie. can't you hear me-"
Her voice broke in a low sob, and
she bowed her face on his breast
Somewhere out OF the gray mist hel
voice reached him, and opened his
eyes.
Hush your crying. honey" hi
whispered. I'm Just winged bit
Well take the Cumberland trail mex,
week, you and me-"
Gypsy BELLE, too" Nan insisted.
Sure. She'll carry the BRIDE" Bill
lie grinned feebly. Then Nan ant
Gypsy Belle were both silent. the mar,
nipping at the laurel branches, and
Nan with her cheek pressed close Il