The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-14
A HERO OF ROMANCE
BY E. Nj. BANGS.


He did net look it. Even lothian
Hubbard himself. as ne viewed his un-
lovely reflection in the cracked mir
ror of his room up under the farm
house caves, even he could but ac.
knowledge that he was indeed as Aunt
Sarah said las homely as 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
mocking black eyes of Matte Buxton,
life had taken on a 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
watching a steamer about to sail for
o 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
Over?" he inquired
! The elder man nodded, whereupon
a letter was handed to him. He tore it
open and scanned its contents.
Here's pretty go!" he exclaimed.
"Simonds has met with an accident,
and can't go with you
Cant go?" echoed the other We'll,
Ill 60 without him, then"
Il don't like you to 60 alone, Ralph,
you're not strong enough
Nonsense" protested the young
man. I'm all right"
lothian drew nearer WAS you-
was you lookin for somebody to sort
O look OUT for this young feller?" he
inquired.
| Westover senior turned a searching
glance upon the young stranger. Are
| ,t,>., L. i
then.
| lin thinkin of it."
Five minutes later an agreement had
been completed Jotham 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 commotion
and then they saw pair Of horses at
tached to carriage tearing madly to-
ward them. Women screamed Alone
in the carriage was a young girl, grasp
ing with all her might the 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 boy
came to the hotel inquiriug for Mas
tab Hubba'd"
Westover had told his companions 8
name to some of the spectators of the
rescue of the previous day. The boy
brought note from Miss Carter beg
ging him to call that she might thank
him in person
lothian groanod You co." he en-
treated; tell her you're the man. She
didn't see who twas, 'tain't likely"
mot much' laughed Westover, you
cont catch me strutting around in
borrowed herosm."
A compromise was at length ar
ranged, and Westover agreed to ac-
company and stand by his friend dur
ing the dreadful ordeal
| Miss Carter's home was 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-
meat later Dorothy Carter appeared, a
not unattractive girl, wearing white
gown
Two" she questioned doubtfully.
(which one am to thank?"
Westovcr pushed the blushing 10Th
en- 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 shall Bring the
lights" continued the girl, turning 70
a maid Il want to see clearly my
brave and handsome roscuer.'
Jotham gasped. "Oh," he stam-
mered, don't think that amt hal'-
som. II expect I'm bout as houle-
ly as they make EN-"
| Then well speak Of your bravery,
the girl returned That is not to be
denied
Miss Carter was deeply interested in
hearing about l:fe IL the north, anil it
took a seconu, eycl third call for
Jo,ham to tell all she wished to hear.
! 1t seemed, is1ecd, that Jotham's
bravery h.,G quite blinded the girl to
| hi. ubycicoI dcfgcts or if may he that