The Washington herald., 1914-04-10

awoke John Temple stood beside her
smiling down at her with a strange giin
In his eyes.
The mail was delivered safely" he
told her, land the whalens are not wor.
rying. They seemed to think I am well
qualified to take care OF a sprained
ankle"
Flo dodged his steady gaze. Il must &c
home" she declared emphatically. He
protested, argued. and implored. but in
vain. Flo was determined. Limping be-
, tween John and Ford she was conducted
TO the grocery and there. to the accom-
paniment of a choice collection OF village
witticisms, John equipped her feet with
a new pair OF snow shoes. He clasped
her little mittened hand as they started
out.
As they stepped from the store Ned
Newton. the woodsman, rushed at them
with leveled rifle. Thought you was
goin' to kidnap her. did your he bawled
aiming the rife at Johns head. In an
instant Ford had covered him. but John,
with an agile sprng. wrenched the wea-
pom from the woodsman's hand.
Newton ragged helplessly. and in his fury
he muttered a remark that sent a deep
flush to Flo's cheeks. The next moment
Johns hand shot out and he went
sprawling into a snowdrift. The snow
whiried about a tangle of arms and legs
and John inflicted savage punishment
upon the slanderer. Flo thought IT was
splendid she watched II with a thrill.
Then John took her hand and calmly. as
IL the beating of gigantic woodsmen were
n proceeding of dull routine, he led her
out over the glistening trail.
Flo sighed. but JOhn-the simpleton!-
thought IL was her aching foot. and hi
supported her tenderly as she limpet
over the slippery trail. When utter weari
ness seized her and she felt she coulC
endure the pain no longer he lifted hel
and carried her in his strong arms. A
tumble Of thought and emotions whirlet
in Flo's dizzy little head. She CLOSED
her eyes and surrendered to a sooth'
ing sensation Of languOr.
She had been doing when J ohm placed
her on her feet. Ahead OF them doomed
her fathers house. dark and dismal and
forbidding, and in the distance she could
see Ford struggling through the slow
In her fitful slumber she had had visions
of the picture on the mantelpiece, o. a
manly young fellow who handled ferc-
woodsmen like school boys. and of tht
sombre future awaiting a simple little
backwoods girl.
.'Good-by," said John. holding out hi.
hand and smiling down at her. She
slipped her hand into his. "Good-by,
she murmured.
But 1t shan't be good-by forever
shall it. little giri?' He pressed heI
trembling hand. and suddenly Flo
thought OF the photograph on the mantel.
piece, and she remembered something
She had tossed IL on the floor, and II
was strange that John had not noticed
its absence wnen he returned.
Il don't know" she faltered. THE
Photograph
John stared in bewilderment. THE
Photograph"
Yes, Cora's-the one with the verse
on the back" Flo blurted out
That silly little butterfly" laughed
John. 81 had almost forgotten. She
married a duke or somebody like that
long time ago. Even dukes can be useful
once in a while. you see. Now. little
girl. will you-?'
Ford had retraced his steps TO see what
had happened TO them. His face wrinkled
into a broad grin as he took in the sitI-
alton. But Flo didn't care.
Copyright. 1874. by Henry Barrett ChLmheTlin.)
This picture will he shown first time In
city at Empress Thea. 4lS 9th st.-Adv-