Smyrna times., 1915-11-03
WHITE BLOSSOM
by NEVA wINIFRED TIspELL.


Madge was half way across the pas
ture when the herd, repOsing in the
shade OF the sheds, were aroused by
their leader, who had caught sight of
the dainty but color-haring red sweat.
er that Madge wore. In an instant the
drove was in a stampede. Madge dis.
cerned her danger. She was lieht.
looted, but with an apprehensfye
glance behind her she saw that long
before she reached the fence the mad.
dened animals would have overtaken
her
"Help!" she screamed in urgent ter.
ror, as she made out a figure lining
the fence near the gate.
IL was Doctor Drury Agile, alarmed
at the deadly peril of the defenseless
girl, he had vaulted the fence in an
instant. He was at her side, picking
up a stray long handled shovel that
lay in his path as he ran.
For the gate-dO not delay a mo-
ment!" he gasped breathlessly.
She obeyed him, he was glad of
that. Now he nerved for the newt.
able conflict. She was fast gaining
saiety--the rest did not matter to him.
Whack! Clang! A great roaring.
sullen. but full of meaning. and the
leader OF the herd halted. That shovel
blade raked their horns, swept their
dripping nOstrils, dazed them. brought
the hot blood streaming into their
eyes. binding them.
They pressed upon him, however
Twice he was floored and nearly i'm.
paled. Then again he was upon his
feet and then his one weapon-brokel
II was all up with him, he fancied.
Dut then he was lifted up bv n
bronzed powerful arm and two min.
utes later found himself over the gate.
safe, his rescuer. a halEbreed. who
sat in his saddle grim. unmoved, with
glad gentle light in his savage eyes
YOU Neetah! painted Drury, recog.
nizing the man.
1t is we'll" said the other with sim.
pie dignity. Il pay a little OF what
owe. See-White Blossom, she is
sick"
Madge was seated, pale and sway.
ing, on hummOck. Drury hurried "a
her side.' He supported her gently
with the words:
1T Is all over"
Il feared-for you!" she iuttered
and then, as he helped her along the
road. both became more composed and
natural.
lie had not seen her since, but the
memory OF her sweet grateful smile
fingered. He heard that she divided
her time between the town and some
relations thirty miles away. He hoped
70 meet her again. II was the theme
OF his thoughts day and night.
Neetah was his great friend. When
the young doctor had first settled al
Moosehead, the half-breed mad come
TO town TO report his wife dangerously
Ill at their cabin, twenty miles awav.
None OF the other physicians would
go. Drury obeyed a human impulse |
and won the uDdying fealty Of Neetah
After that Neetah, whenever he came
TO town, would bring honey, skins.
wild fruits, always a gift from his
grateful wife.
One night the doctor was aroused |
by sharp summons at his Office door
He opened IL to confront Neetah. ter
ribly excited.
You love White Blossom" bluntly
burst forth the Indian. Il save her
for you"
What does this mean?" murmured
the astOunded Drury.
Then Neetah became vOluble. He
mad discovered young Leighton and a
group OF his outlaw familiars discuss
ing a raid ON the ranchhouse where
Madge was alone. Leighton was bent
on bearing her away, an unwilling
bride. Neetah detoured. He had
come upon Madge alone on the steps
OF the house. He had made no expia
nation. He had caught her up and
despite her struggles had brought her
here.
You will be her chief-to fight
away Leighton" spoke Neetah. ana
Madge blushed. and Drury blessed the
timely incident that made him her
EA0A9IlDIs
Mounted on horses, with Neetah
armed to the teeth, a trusty guard.
they rode not to the ranchhouse. hut
70 Moosehead. There Drury placed
the imperiled girl in the hands of her
friends.
How he cherished those hours of
tne twentymile jaunt, each moment
giving them a closer acquaintance!
Before It had ended. Madge knew that
the blunt declaration of Neetah as 10
the estimation in which she had been
held by the young physician was true.
NO more ranch risk" pronounced
ler father decisively, the next day.
You will be safer at home. my dear.
Look In on the folks while liam away.
Doctor Drury, win your although do
not think that daring Leighton win
.rouble Us again"
II Leighton meditated Il, he waited