The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-12-19
A HERO OF ROMANCE
BY e. M. BANGS.

house caves, even he could but &C.
knowledge that he was indeed as Aunt
Sarah said, "As homely as a hedge
fence" There was no gainsaying the
fact, and as poor lothian turned from
the sight of his large features, and red
hair, he sighed. He was used to being
plain, but since encountering the
hooking black eyes of Matte Buxton,
life had taken on somber tint never
known before. Her laughing scorn was
no coy, maidenly coquetry. He realized
that.
He would do something rash: he
felt just like it. He would go to Bos.
ton! This wild scheme he put into ex.
ecution, and soon the little New Eng.
land village Of his birth knew him no
more.
Once really arrived at the metropo.
lis things began to happen. On reach.
ing the city by boat, the harbor scenes
so interested him that he walked
about the wharves for time, forget.
ting everything save the fact that he
was seeing the world. AS he stood
"eSS%ii6 q oSCdhlC1 dUOuI W Sail IOr
southern port, taxi drew near, and
two men alighted. The younger man
was white and thin as if from recent
illness.
AS they stepped from the cab a mes.
senger boy met them. "Mr. West.
cver?" he inquired
The elder man nodded, whereupon
a letter was handed to him. He tore it
open and scanned it's contents.
Here's a pretty go!" he exclaimed.
"Simonds has met with an accident,
and can't go with you
Cant go?" echoed the other. "Well,
I'll go without him, then"
Il don't like you to go alone, Ralph,
you're not strong enough"
Nonsense" protested the young
man. "Im all right"
lothian drew nearer. WAS you
was you lookin' for somebody to sort
O. look out for this young feller?"s he
inquired.
Westover senior turned a searching
glance upon the young stranger. Are
you going on this steamer" he asked
then.
Tim thinkin' of it,
Five minutes later an agreement had
been completed. lothian was to ac-
company Ralph Westover in his search
for health.
On the day following their arrival in
the strange southern city, the two men
were out seeing the town. Suddenly
they became aware of a commotion
and then they saw pair of horses at.
tached to carriage tearing madly to-
ward them. Women screamed. Alone
in the carriage was young girl, grasp
ing with all her might tie seat and
side of the vehicle. lothian looked,
and before his companion guessed his
intention, he had bounded into the
street, and with an agile spring
grasped the bride of the near horse.
1t was at the risk of life and limb, or
SO it appeared to Westover.
On the following morning a boy
came to the hotel inquiring for MAS
tab Hubba'd."
Westover had told his companions
name to some of the spectators of the
rescue of the previous day. The boy
brought Aote from Miss Carter beg
ging him to call that she might thank
him in person.
lothian groaned. "You co." he en-.
treated; tell her you're the man. She
didn't see who twas, faint likely"
mot much" laughed Westover. you
don't catch me strutting around in
borrowed heroism."
A compromise was at length ar.
ranged, and Westover agreed to &C
company and stand by his friend dur.
ing the dreadful ordeal.
Miss Carriers home was a fine, old
southern mansion, and the drawing
room, into which the two young men
were shown, seemed the acme of lux
ury to at least one of them. A mo.
ment later Dorothy Carter appeared,
not unattractive girl, wearing white
gown.
"Two?" she questioned doubtfully.
(Which one am to thank?"
Westover pushed the blushing 10Th
am forward and that young man man.
aged to take her proffered hand with
the words, 'I'm lothian Hubbard, but
you needn't thank me. That's all
right"
Indeed, but I shall. Bring the
lights" continued the girl, turning to
a maid. 81 want to see clearly my
brave and handsome rescuer."
lothian gasped. "Oh," he STAN
mered, don't think that I amt ham,
som. II expect I'm bout as home
ly as they make EN-"
Then we'll speak of your bravery"
the girl returned. That is not to be
denied"
Miss Carter was deeply interested in
hearing about life in the north, and it
took a second, even a third call for
lothian to tell all she wished to hear,
1t seemed, indeed, that Jotham's
bravery had quite blinded the girl to
his physical defects, or, it may be that
the proverbial blindness of love alone
was enough. But the young man came,
was seen, and conquered.
Extract from a letter written by
Ralph Westover to his father: We'll,
the great event has taken place, and
this morning / acted as best man at
the wedding of Dorothy Carter and my
esteemed friend, lothian Hubbard.
Who would have thought it when we
saw him standing valise in hand the
dav of orr first .Oaafino7 Ta1x ahOI1t