The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-09-19

cAA uOOCIy.
Now" she felicitated herself. who
can say that l am not poor, unfor-
tunate wayfarer, landed with a dis
abled bicycle 20 miles from home?
He is coming"
Yes, away over across the valley,
toiling up hard incline was a blue
and maroon colored automobile vi
was sure it was the Linden machine.
1t held an occupant, its owner vi felt
confident. She placed her bicycle in a
wrecked looking condition under a tree
! near at hand and seated herself on a
rock at the roadside. She would put
on her most doleful expression, and
then laugh outright, realizing the role
she thought clever she was about to
play.
VI glanced at her watch. She esti.
mated that it would be about half an
/ hour before the automobile would
reach the spot. She smiled as she
viewed just sufficient dust on her neat
Jacket to indicate fall She was sure
she could without practicing portray
the frightened. timid maiden. ma
rooned in an unfriendly heath and ap-
pealing to manliness and chivalry for
assistance.
Mercy"
1t was all of a sudden, Is minutes
later. that vi uttered the sharp, fear
compelling cry. Something all unfore-
seen had arisen to disturb her we'll
seasoned plans. One of those sud-
den furious storm outbursts that
wreaked vital fury on the district had
come up. The wind was hurricane,
', the pouring torrent dtenched her,
while she, brave as she believed her
self, shrank from the binding glare
and the harsh reverberating crashes
of thunder.
Thus 1t was that, breasting the tenn
pest valorously, but with due caution
on that dangerous roadway, Mr.. Lin
den drew his machine to a violent halt
at the sight Of white-faced. terrified
girl, forgetful of all her dark plot,
pleading only for companionship and
protection.
She indeed quavered forth frag.
ments of sentences concerning a
stranded bicycle. but incoherently.
Never did more courteous gentle
man assist an affrighted maiden from
an overpowering dilemma.
I'VE must proceed rapidly" he said,
as she crouched down beside him In
tho cuohiopod coot UT u,,ppouo WI,
belong townwards, but the nearest
shelter Is my lodge"
They made for it. The storm in
creased in violence, the mountain tops
were wreathed in fog and darkness.
Then, nearing the anticipated haven
of refuge, the machine ran into q
| tree.
Both were thrown out. vi was al
most stunned. She felt herself lifted
in strong protecting arms. She was
carried into toy of bungalow. de-
| posted on a couch, and noticed that
her host was bleeding at one hand
and was limping painfully.
You are injured" she gasped, her
soul awakening to true selfreproach
and womanly pity, but he only smiled,
hurried from the room and returned
with q dry wrap and q glass of cor
dial.
1T is nothing" said Linden briefly.
IT hope you will get over your fright
and discomfort"
She saw him go out to the dis
mantled machine, inspect 1t and re-
turn to the house. Then he stood on
the porch for a long time. She no
ticed that he held one injured hand
inside his coat and that he rested on
one foot.
"All my foolishness!" she almost
sobbed, land he SO courteous, actually
staying out In the storm for fear his
presence may embarrass me! He is
handsome man, too, and-oh, dear!
I wish I was home"
The worst of the storm passed over,
but the deluge continued. Mr.. Lin
den came into the room where vi sat,
or rather huddled.
"As soon as the rain let's up lit
tle," he remarked, II shall walk to
the nearest farmhouse and send over
some women folks to keep you COM
pany"
"Oh, but I want to get home before
dark" burst forth vi impetuously.
He glanced at her as he would have
done at spoiled child. The situa.
ton, herself. began to interest him.
1T will be no pleasant trip riding
home in the only conveyance can
secure. an old farm wagon" he SUBJ
! mitted.
"Oh, but I had rather, indeed, yes!"
fluttered vi, and he allowed her to
have her willful way
1t was a strangely subdued vi who
appeared before her chums the next
day. Twice during the week Mr.. Lin
den called to inquire after her health
Many times, with crushed, changed
look in her face. vi evaded her friends
when they asked her as to the result
of their dare" Then one day she an
swered to Nellie.
"Mr. Linden has proposed to me-
l have won the wager"
"And?" insinuated Nellie.
y