The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-14

was binding. progress almost impossi-
BILE. The blazing structure was a
guide, however. He was fairly worn
out as he reached the scene of the con-
flagration. He was startled, thrilled,
as just beyond the Naming heap he
noted a fair young girl, with ashen
face and terrified eyes shrinking with
in the doorway of little shed, appar-
emily the only human denizen of the
isolated spot.
What does it mean-you, and
alone?" he irresistibly exclaimed.
At first the young girl shrank from
him with natural timidity. Then his
open honest face seemed to reassure
her. She was overcome with excite
ment, and terror, and tears. In frag-
mentary scraps her story was told.
She was Elise Bradley, and this was
the home of her brother. She had
come to visit him for few days. He
had gone to Bartonville, where she
was a teacher Of music. He had not
returned on account of the storm. The
place had taken fire. She was home
less. Oh. she would never see her
own home again! The storm, the
cold
Dear young lady" broke in Amos
valiant from the true chivalry of his
earnest nature: her beauty, her for
lorn situation appealing to all that
was brave and manly within him
take cheer!"
In after years Amos could never
think of the ensuing three days with
out a shudder. The loose cold shed
was spared by the fire. He found
within it an old stove and soon hat
its chilliness in a measure minimized
Then with his charge half comfort
able he fought his way to the spo
where the wrecked wagon was. From
it he secured package Of food ant
some robes. These he carried to thu
old shed. A second trip he made
bringing back two loose sides Of thu
vehicle and some other pieces Of 1t.
shattered timbers.
The snow let up in the morning. b!
that time Amos had constructed
rough but long and wide exigency sled
His first thought had been to conve.
the refuge to his own home, but sh
demurred
81 must get to the town. she In
sisted urgently, Ito my brother and
and to others"
It was a terrible journey. In al
the slow difficult jaunt they did nc
pass a single human habitation. Wit
tears in her eyes the grateful Ellis
regarded the strong, noble man, VIII
made a beast of burden of himsel
dragging the crude sled that she Nigh
reach friends and comfort.
!, Well did Amos look to 1t that hi
fair charge was we'll bundled up
. the warm, thick robes. When the
halted at night he found for her
safe shelter. The food lasted on
They reached BartonvDle
BY that time he had learned to loy
her, and she-her heart nearly broi
as she told him at the last that sf
had promised her brother to marry
friend Of his, one John Grimston.
man she cared nothing for.
She chung to Amos as he placed h
safe among friends. Only his eye
not his lips, told her what her revel
z ton was making him suffer.
: Then the very day following
strange caprice Of fate-John Grit
ston, gambler and bravo, was sh
dead in q street fight. and Elise WI
free.
But not for long. She could new
forget the brave stranger who h,
borne her safely through stress Al
storm to friends and comfort.
To a new and safer home Amos w
bur took Elise a year later--a hon
blessed with fervor and depth Of I
undying mutual love.