The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-26

Towser!" "
They became close chums, those
TWO, during the next few days. The
constant companionship Of the animal
pieased and cheered Neal. Az to
Iowser. a grateful sample Of true
noelity he seemed to be supremely
content. One night, however. when
tney arrived at the barn. they found
the doors barred and padlocked. ana
u was not so dark but that Neal could
read scrawied across the new bar.
fier the chalked words: "Trespassers
wiz be prosecuted according to the
law"
1t had begun to rain and man and
oos had tramped . long distance that
afternoon. Neal looked for Temporary
shelter. He found it at the side Of the
mouse IN = vine-embowered arbor. A
long bench invited him to rest and
then unconsciously to slumber.
It must have been three or four
hours later when Neal awoke. Tow
ser was pulling at his coat. Neal sat
up and then sprang to his feet, as
from the inside of the house an echo
ing scream of terror or pain rang out.
Something wrong" uttered Neal
all his keen senses shrewdly alert in
an instant. and Towser knows It,"
The dog. with an eager impatient
glance back at his master. had start
ed Tor the house. Neal followed. The
front door was open. Down the hall
the dog stole to where . door stood
partly ajar. Beyond 1t Neal peered for
the moment. Mortified and spellhound.
Across 4 table in his night dress lay
the hermitlike occupant Of the house
old Jacob Wise. He was tied across
1t. There was IRE In the stove, and
stuck between its red hot bars was Z
poker. A rough.looking man was
standing over the aged Wise.
Now then. I've got you safe and
sound" he was saying. You've got q
fortune hidden away In some odd cor
ner Of this old house and want IT.
understand"
Jacob Wise made no response. The
robber drew the poker from the stove
Tell where that money is he spoke
"Or Ill give you . touch Of this"
The intruder waved the red hot
poker menacingly. He moved It across
the bare soles of his victims feet.
'Il tell! It burns! I'll tell!'
shrieked the tortured old man.
Just then Neal pushed open tn,
door. The intruder turned quickly
Neal sprang at him. They grappled
Then the robber pressed a revolver
against the side of his opponent.
The last thing that Neal Barrett
saw as he sank unconscious to thu
floor was the dog. his teeth ut tn,
throat of the wretch who had downet
his master.
The waking moment came day:
later, although Neal did not realize
that fact when he first reused up
In amazement he stared. Old Jacol
Wise sat at his bedside in q comfort
able room. Through an open door
way. moving about engaged in domes
tic duties, Neal saw Florence Par
sons!
"Ah! better!" chuckled the old misel
Good boy! I've been awfully anxious
Know herr" and he nodded his heas
towards the tidy. graceful figure Il
the next apartment
YES" whispered Neal weakly, bu
his face aglow with tenderness an,
delight.
shes true blue" declared the oil,
man fervently.
How true blue" Neal Barrett knew
after q little explanation. The faith
full Towser had driven the ROBBIE
away. terribly lacerated. Jacob Wise
grateful to man and dog who haa
saved to him . part Of his boarded for
tune. had given Neal the best cart
possible.
Some memoranda found on Nea
had advised Wise Of the existence o
Florence. He had written her. Sh.
had come to nurse the unfortunate
man she still loved.
TN call her in now" advised Wise
she knows I'm going to start you on
on . new life. with plenty Of capital
You're . brave man. and that dol
shall have . real silver collar. Al u
the young lady-dont miss you,
chance to ret . good WIFE,"
Which Neal did not. and TowssF
loyal valiant Towser! was not shu'
out from gusstship when the happ,
wedding took place.