The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-24
FInDIne A new LIFE
Nv EcBERr WARNING

minute. Doctor Alternately spoke nan
q dozen words that pronounced 'n'
seeming doom of Walter ihoine
Within an hour the young man in ques,
ton had analysed the situation anu
was philosophically resigned TO w.
Within the week Thorne saw q nc"
name on the glittering plate glass wiz
dows, paid up all his debts, sent 10 ms
uncle in another city the capital NC
had supplied to start him in BUSINESS
and gave up his elegant club.
Walter was sorry. but resigned. he
counted up his resources, al iiqu'u'
and amounting to some twenty tnou
sand dollars.
He had donated half Of that to
school for INDECENT juveniles. rive
thousand dollars he had sent TO
Door. remote relative. He calculated
that $1,000 would be abundant TO oie
on, and the other four went IN mus
eliminate charity.
Walter finally settled on the Ozark
mountain region as . hnai destlha'
ton. He approached 1t by SLOW
stages. The last 100 miles he made
on foot. He felt weary at times. The
lack of hope and ambition gave him
motiveless sensation. One thing ne
noticed, however: He was eating with
an appetite now, a rarity for ten years
past.
One evening he was belated by
storm between towns. He remained
within the shelter of a mountain cave
till the rain had passed on. 1t was AT
er midnight when he reached rail-
road junction. It was to view q novel
and unaccustomed spectacle
Local freight trains were standing
on different tracks, headed in various
: directions. Lanterns we're flashing ev-
erywhere. and the scene was one OF
extraordinary activity. All kinds OF
vehicles were standing beside the cars,
unloading their contents. long. low
boxes, nailed tightly and handled with
care.
What is in those boxes?" Walter
ventured to ask.
Strawberries" was the explanation.
within eighteen hours they will be on
the home tables of every big city In
the middle Vest"
Then Walter knew that he was at
the main shipping point of the great
est berry producing section in the
country.
One old woman with only two cases
carried them to the cars with the aid
OF her oged husband. Two boys had
carried their boxes in little wagon
to which was attached two dogs. Wal
ter experienced renewed interest as
he saw a common hand cart appear.
A girl navigated 1t, q strap running
harnesslike from the propelling
handles across her shapely shoulders.
In the weird, Pickering light about
her she was rare picture Of earnest.
healthful industry. There was a
CHEEKY token Of duty and vitality in
her beautiful face that unclaimed Wal.
ter. He asked man who she was.
That's Meta Oliver" was the fe
ply; the sweetest lassie on Beaver
creek. Her father and mother are
both Ill, and she has buckled down to
keeping the flour barrel full, like the
Jewel she is"
Walter stopped at hote! that night
He could not get the face and name
Of the girl he. had seen out Of his
mind. The next day he made some
further inquiries about the Oliver fam.
lily. He found that they were too poor
to afford horse and wagon. He pit
led the girl. who night after night
did the service Of a beast Of burden,
dragging the rackety handcart over
the uneven country roads. He made
a whimsical resolve. Two mornings
later, seated in a stout, light wagon
with sturdy horse attached. he drove
into the yard Of the little 20-acre farm
where Meta Oliver lived.
She was among the vines, wearing
a neat. cover-all apron. Her radiant
eyes somewhat abashed him as he
asked for her father. He found the
latter and his wife seated comfortably
on the porch Of the little cottage, con.
valescing from an attack Of chills and
fever.
I've heard Of you, Mr.. Thorne,"
spoke Walter. Il am IN invalid in
quest Of health. like this spot
Could you board me for few weeks"
And then Walter went on to tell
that he had little money, but that
he would give the rig he had bought
for . months board.
For 80 golden days Walter rborne
found a new interest in life. He he.
came a real worker-and a lover Dav
oy day the gentle. lovable Meta grew
more and more precious to him Her
parents were up and about now and
the one desire Of the father was to sc.
cure an additional so acres of land
1t would mean a fortune in time be
claimed. and then Walter was sorry
ne had given away his fortune
one day Walter went to town. ue
proceeded to the ONCE Of the leading
physician. He left 1t with an eaeer
hopeful face.
You are a perfectly healthy man "
the doctor had said. Whatever throat
ened you two months ago. your now
IRE mas neutralized. only-keep awav
nom the wear and tear and turmo,, a,
ONCE life" '''' VI
Tnat evening Walter asked Meta
20 marry him, and she consented. He
mao written to his uncle, telling him
OF his resolve to stay close to ns,nra
ana upon the wedding eve there
came . glowing response from n. -,
. .se. m tne shape of a generous si,t