The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-10
MAID OF TIE PAlISADE
ev BELLE KANARiS MANDATES.

By BELLE kANARiS MANDATES
Through the Vi-ginian forest In the
frightening shadows. of a midsummer
day rode a man. stern faced and gaunt
Presently he came to clearing where
upon a slope of green was set house
more pretentious than one would ex
pect to find in so primeval q time
and place. This oasis Of modernity
was encircled by a palisade. As he
drew near. the gate was unbarred by
a brawny servant, to whom the man
tossed the bride as he dismounted.
As he went toward this house, q
slender. girlish form " it'll eyes Of corn
flower blue and a skin Of snow and
roses came out to greet him. His
stern features softened as he stopped
to kiss her.
"Myla. my child" he murmured ten
derry as they went up the steps to
gether.
It was for her, his motherless daugh
ter. his all, that he had built this pail
saded palace In the forest and had
guarded it so jealousy from every In
truder.
A nun-like life lived the fair Myla
who was known far and wide as the
beautiful Maid Of the Palisade."
Fate stepped in the very next day,
when the stern Master Mollins again
journeyed away on his red-brown
horse. Nyla accompanied him 10 the
towering pine which marked the
boundary Of her freedom. Then with
. goodbye, she turned and retraced
her steps. 4 road to the right lured
her. She strayed aimlessly from hes
beaten path ana wandered ct will.
She soon paid the price. A lout Of
. fellow stepped from behind . tree,
And % the Matd Of the Palisade ID
freed at last" he cried with . leer.
| Dlanting himself ir her path.
Myla cried out IN fright. The man
stepped nearer. And then came q
knight to the rescue il the person Of
ono Capt. Philip Darcy. who knocked
the fellow senseless. Then be turned
to MylA. and her eyes, admiring, trust.
ing; net bis own. They walked to-
gether through the deep woods. and
she chatted to him freely u her close
" guarded life.
And you are content 70 live this
hermit life!" he asked earnestly.
II am very happy" she assured
him. ''and no danger has ever come
to me until today. I was well pun.
ished for my disobedience II not -
turning directly home"
Are you sorry" asked tho captain
in low. vibrant tones. "that ycs turned
from your psth?"
NO." she answered sweetly and shy.
". Il an glad!"
He walked home with her, hut she
babe him leave her before they reach.
ed sight of tls stern warder At the
gate.
Il shall comv tomorrow" SAD the
young captain graveIy. when your
father ID here"
Hearts moved quickly 10 those dAys.
and the captain returned the next Day
. wooer. but Master Gregory Mollins
ruthlessly repulssd bis advances and
bads him begone never to return
III Il must be that ny daughter wed
some day. when,she 10 much older:
will never give her to . soldier. II
declared.
Love would hsvs laughed 1t pnll
sades. but war claimed tho young eap.
tain's services ane - mast needs riAe
away.
Faith and hope thEived In Myh's
heart, but when tho war was ended
and long time elapsed with no word
from the young sssdier. she began 10
fade like . flower too much in The
sun. When q fever eontagion was ear.
ried By . servant,to the palisaded for.
est-house. Myla proved . ready victim.
A physician was summoned from
Jamestown, and the crisis was passed
SUCCESSFULLY. but MylA remained weak
and enervated.
Il have done an In my power" The
doctor frankly informed the agontsed
father. but this 10 . condition that
hafdes my knowledge. There = q
young doctor lately come to James.
town whom should like to bring herr
II CONSULTATION"
Master Mollim consented, but he
ehanced to be asleep when the youna
surgeon called. When he awoks. he
learned that thernew doctor had made
bic visit and departed. He went "a
the eick room. There was q leok Of
the old Myla in the face upoa the
pillow. The nurse followed hin into
the hall.
THE new doctor seemed to put new
hfe and strength into her with the
mere touch Gf his hand upou her
wrist" she informed him.
The father eagerly awaited the com.
Ing Of Mylas savior the next morning
He met him at the door,
"You!" he Numbered, looking into
the grave eyes of Philip Darcy. What
intrigue is this? How dare you pre-
49, A.