The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-03

ASSb - 40 SS01 bRCAS SAS SeAoV
master. and the approving look in
his eye told that he appreciated my
desire to run all the risk-for risk 1t
was.
There was a clear half-moon, and
the road was broad and even the first
part Of the journey. / noticed my
companion SILVER as we diverged into
more obscure bride paths.
Twice she urged up her horse and
kept close to mine. l saw that the
weird loneliness Of our environment
affrighted.
you must fall back" l spoke def
nitely, but pleasantly.
"But-but l fear-I am afraid" she
demurred.
1T must be as l say" insisted.
1T is necessary to your safety. You
will appreciate what say when the
journey is completed"
She did not understand, and bridled.
She fell back, but with an offended
look upon her face.
Twice up to midnight we came upon
friendly encampments. My creden-
tials passed us on. At the last place
the commandant read the safe con-
duct: One Walworth Doty and wife.
Madam, salute you"
She directed a flashing glance at
me, as II arraigning me for an affront
l met her glance steadily. That beau
tiful face enchanted me. but tried
to act the guide under strict disci-
pline.
1t must have been three O'Clock in
the morning when we reached the
most difficult part of the route. Here
the road ran along the edge of cliff.
| had been advised by Worst that the
enemy were likely to be prowling
about. l thought of that-and Of the
load the pack horse carried. In
creased the space between myself and
my convoy. Her angry, yet anxious
face resented this. | had to speak
sharply to have her maintain the dis
lance. She received it with a pout
and a toss of her head. Suddenly,
turning a curve in the rock-lined road,
there came quick word:
Halt"
| made out an armed officer. He was
of the enemy. Beyond him, 80 feet
in a ravine, was temporary camp
He kept a revolver and leveled at me
as he grabbed out to seize the bride
of the pack horse.
The animal swerved, threw up its
head. curvetted past him and broke
into quite trot. The officer turned
and leveled his weapon, intent on halt
ing the fight with shot.
stop! Stop!" shouted.
Too late! The we!l-aimed bullet
struck one of the packages on the
back of the horse. bored into it and
there was a frightful defamation.
saw the officer, struck by huge
fragment of rock, fail prone and life
less. I saw the pack horse, blown tc
midst of the camp below. heard 9
shrek and ran back to my charge.
You are hurt?" l cried solicitously
mo! No! But you" and fell
the warm blood trickling from my fore
head, where flying piece Of rock hat
struck me. Then l hurried on ne
horse and my own past the motionles'
officer, away from the camp.
What was it," she shuddered, a,
we deviated to broader road.
Dynamite"
She started and paled. Then sh
insisted on binding up my wound witt
a lace scarf. She kept close besid
me.
And It was to shield me that yo'
took all the risk" she murmured.
Within the hour we were safe Il
friendly hands. All her disdain an
GOODNESS was gone now. She SCENE
to look to me for help. l placed he
in kindly hands.
Within two days I located her ia
Their and mother She insisted on m
taking her to them. Then that bs
/ come their guest.
And thus 1t was that out Of grea
war l won a bride-no longer, how
ever, my dear Lady Disdain!
Copyright, 1915, by w. G. Chapman.)