The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-01-28

II = eryman. and ht
IL had to take the
wolf for payment
He would keep the animal until q cir
Gus came along.
To keep children away nom tn
stables it was given out that the
animal had killed and eaten no less
than five different persons. and VA
on the watch for others.
It was declared that II he should
break his way out of his cage, the
slaughter would be something terri
Die.
The rumor that Miss Jessie Fayne
was hesitating between two lovers had
some foundation. She was not en-
gagged to young Stephen Allaire Of the
village bank. but everybody said II
would make a match. For months he
had had no rival. Then young Albert
Morton came from the city to visit rel
atives. He had been introduced to
Miss Jessie and had fallen in love.
One evening the livery stable man
received caller whom he was sur
prised to see. 1t was Mr.. Allaire. and
In a careless way he asked:
What about that wolf you have
here"
"Oh. he's a wolf, all right" was re.
piled.
Il hear he Is very savage beast. "
You just ought to see him attack q
piece Of beet
III he were muzzled he might be let
OUT"
BLESS you, man, he don't need any
muzzle on to walk the street He Is
no more dangerous than an old hen.
He's an old wolf on his last legs. He
was born in captivity. and has played
with children for years. I have to
tell of his savageness to keep the chill
dren away"
Mr.. Norton" said the young man
after drawing a long breath. III
should want to take your wolf for .
walk this evening"
Take him right along"
At seven o'clock that evening the
skaters began to gather on the pond.
and at the same hour came the report
that Mr.. Norton's wolf had escaped
from his cage, and was roaming about
He had already bitten old Mrs. John
son and Deacon Skinner, and other
victims would be heard of The skat-
ers began leaving the pond They
didn't propose TO take any such risks.
The last of them were Just leaving
when Miss Jessie Fayne and Mr..
Albert Morton came down to the pond
and heard the news.
why, If that is so then we can't
60" said Mr. Morton
But why cant ve?" was asked.
Look at the risk. That wolf may
be here at any minute"
And he may not be here before
next summer"
But If he is loose he will certainly
make for the pond"
Then let him come. You can pro-
tect me from one old wolf"
But he is savage animal, Miss
Fayne."
Il came down here to skate, Mr..
Morton, and it will take more than
one old wolf to drive me home again.
II you are afraid"
"Oh, no, no. no! 1t is solely on
your account"
But you needn't mind me. Come
on"
Away they went up the river, side
by side, she smiling contemporary
and he glancing back over his Shout
der at brief intervals with an awful
dread in his heart. 1t was an inner
tied fear, and he could not control It.
OF a sudden. after one of his glances
back, he caught the girl by the arm
and almost shrieked out:
"The wolf! The wolf! He is after
u.s."
He can't be-" she replied.
But he was, and il they had looked
, little closer they might have made
out a skater not far behind the ami ,
NAL
Hes coming! He's coming!' shout ;
I'd the young man as he twisted the
girl about in his excitement.
Then fight him off,"
Three seconds later Mr. Morton \
was skating for the shore, and alone! .
The wolf came up and began circling :
he girl, as if preparatory to a spring, s
but before he had closed In the skater h
arrived and stretched him dead with
4 bullet from his pistol. 8
"Oh. Stephen"
as this you, Jessie?" Ii
The next morning Mr.. Morton went a
home. He had neither excuses nor
iarewells. In two months Miss Jessie S
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