The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-02-25


the trouble isn't their own fault.
Everything has been against them. =
Huntley turned with q smile.
You're great ON suggestion, Mrn.
Brim- But ! can try this. Il you
think. best"
Mrs, Brim's smile was broader than
before as she resumed her prepare
tons for dinner.
IF this keeps up" she whispered
as she mixed the salad dressing. I'll
believe I'll take hand In finding that
grill"
Huntley crossed the meadow where
the wind had swept away the snow,
and. hearing voices in the barn.
paused thinking the men were talk
ing over the matter before going into
the house.
TT is no use. Martha" he heard
Metcalf say in discouraged way.
But James," persisted his wife.
"the cows are ours. Couldn't we
mortgage them and raise the inter
est?"
And lose everything In the end?
No. well take what we have left and
get out Run in out Of the cold.
girl, And don't cry, Wen manage
some way"
Huntley waited in the snow untfl
husband and wife had entered the
house. Then he tapped on the kitchen
door. He had never before realized
what a few hundred dollars might
mean to q man.
Metcalf and the sheriff were in the
kitchen. Voices in the next room In
dicated that the older man had gone
into the best room"
Huntley warmed his hands az the
stove, thinking rapidly.
"See here, Metcalf." he began,
maybe you will not thank me for in
terfering. But you know there is no
use in trying to keep things quiet,
and I understand you are In little
difficulty over the mortgage. If you
wish to stay, wonder II you win ac-
cept what you need from me, to be
returned when you can, conven-
iently?"
You see" turning to the other
man, 7 happen to know that MetcaIf
isn't to blame for his shortage-he
has had bad luck straight through"
why, thank you" stammered the
farmer. relief struggling with the dis
couragement deep stamped on his
tanned face. 'This Is more kindness
than ] could expect from stranger"
From neighbor," corrected Hunt
ley, smiling.
We'll, now cried the sheriff you
fellows come down the first good day
we have and fix this thing up. I'm
mighty glad Metcalf isn't to be
turned out"
Huntley picked up his hat and init.
tens for the return home, but Mrs.
Metcalf led him silently into the lit
tie front room. with its small win.
dows piled high with the snow. and
slipped out, closing the door after her
In the center Of the room stood a
girl, smiling at him aboven billow Of
soft furs.
"Adal"
7 heard-every word she whis.
pered.
What are Won doing hsro'" ..ror ia.
ulously.
7 came to help the Metcalfs about
the mortgage, but you have beaten
mel Have you forgotten that sbe
used to be my nurse2 Ars-you Rlad
70 see mer'
''I'm not fit 70 see you.=
Yes, yes" she cried. coming near
but this is the first thing ever
did In my life for anyone. and Ma
Brim sent me hereis
But you zee. now. r not afraid.
Erod.~
Do you mean-child, come home
with me, todayl Mrs. Brim h ret
ding q wonderful dinner, and / have
g minister ready. a visiting parson I
took IN out Of the storm-also az
Mrs. Brim's behest"
The girl dropped her nun and held
out her hands.
Child" he whispered, after a long
and eloquent silence, you have con-
vinced me, This neighboring bust.
ness certainly paysl"
Copyright. 1879. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndioate.)