The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-02

perative need Of shelter. Miss Gregory
has no money along. The only available
shelter is the farm OF churlish man
named Gruden. The story Is told by Per-
cival Gibbon in McClure's Magazine.1
He came out from the doorway and
brought the light of the lantern to
bear on the woman, where she sat
with her head leaning on her hus-
bands shoulder. He bit his thin lips
in as he inspected them in all their
miserable poverty and loneliness. The
tramp turned slavish eyes up to him.
those hopeless but still imploring eyes
with which lost men endeavor to pla.
cate their masters.
HIM" snorted Gruden, and turned
again to Miss Gregory.
Its from Addington you come. Ell?
Fifteen mile! Then your carriageIl
be waiting for you somewheres?"
Il came out for walk" explained
Miss Gregory. Il walked rather far
Their than | meant to, and lost my
way. I found these people on the
road, and there's no time to be lost.
Let us get the woman to bed. and the
man can 60 for a doctor"
While she spoke he was searching
her with fierce. contemptuous eyes
which made her uneasily aware that
the dust Of the roads was thick on her
clothes.
What DOCTOR" he asked abruptly.
who lives nearest?" she demanded
In return.
Don't We know that?" said Gruden.
"An' who'll pay him when he comes!
Sir Howard. s'pose? Or p'r'aps
you've money in yer pocket yourself?"
Miss Gregory felt herself REDEEM
ing in the lantern light. 1t was plain
that she had failed to impress Cru
den: he was merely playing with her.
Look here" she said strongly;
you can spare yourself the trouble
Of trying to be impertinent. II you
can't see that you're not dealing with
a tramp. you are fool. II you drive
that woman away, you'll be doing
murder, and. l promise you. shall De
held responsible for It."
The man had a wry and misery
strength Of his own: he smiled.
mo money!" he queried softly.
Dashed ILL., didn't think 30. You an
your Sir Howard! It wasn't Sir How
ard that set 4 light to my rick last
month, was It! Now I'll tell you what
to dol"
He made 4 sharp step toward her
and Aung out . hand that pointed to
the gate.
you take your sick woman out o
here before I turn a dog on the lot o
you," he ordered In sudden roar
"You tramps Il getting too smart By
miles. Out O this with the lot Of you
an sharp about Il! Are you go'n
now"
"Its murder" cried Miss Gregory
III you won't give her bed. she car
lie in your barn. She sha'nt 90 ou'
to the road"
EN-" shouted Gruden. "She sha'n't
you say! Us'll see II she sha'nt IN
moment"
He dived at the door Of the house
and vanished within.
"He's gone to fetch a dog" sait
Miss Gregory. "Here-lift your wife
up and give her to me. I'll take he
to the barn there, and you come be
hand us and keep the dog on"
"You swine!" yelled Gruden. dane
ing. 'rll see We Jailed for this"
"Come ON" ordered Miss Gregory
"Yes'm," replied the tramp, AM
obeyed.
Get the barn door open" directed
Miss Gregory. Leave Gruden alon'
unless he interferes: but, II he does
knock him down"
"Yes'm," said the tramp, while Cru
den, lowering, cursed them feverishly
"You think ri let you stop In M
barn!" hs reared. as they entered 1t
vast. sweet-scented darkness. "Yo
think ri ave pixies (tramps) an rich
burners maxim free with me! II
show you thieves!"
"show 10 . light" suggested Mis-
. Gregory. unless you'd prefer to hav
10 striking matches among all TIL
hay?"
He choked at that: his curses an
threats strangled In his throat But tn
threat stirred him, and he carried nj
lantern to the door Of the barn. an
; stood, chewing his lip and workin
: his heavy eyebrows like frantic app
while they laid the woman to rest 0
a pile Of fragrant hay. She sank upo
It with a slow sigh of surrender I
her utter weakness, and closed he
eyes.
Now you must go for a doctor
, said Miss Gregory 10 the tramp. u
:, Won know where TO find one?
"Yes'm," answered the tall traml
"There's one TREE miles from err
But-what abort Tn:
He indicated he maleyolent tgul
of Grnden in tt sr-at /
well, wha. alout him." demande
:. Miss Gregorr
"sE darea't touch yeu Rhile Il
.