The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-16

my" Wharton Linz. 1uria
Here was the situation: Al Lo"iio
pass the better class OF the ranon
community had centered. Two niiies
down the river the settlement ean.o
pavnters had been slow to meet inc
ADVANCE guard of civilization. "nen
Young Wharton Lind had come 10 an
erv words with Budd. the wharton
family. discerning trouble. had mo'eu
over to Lowrie.
II was the sister Of Wharton Lima
Who received the warning challenge
She opened 1t and read IT. ana nel
nroud handsome face flashed and ner
ewes took a somber determined iooA
to their depths.
wharton had been away at college
nm to a year previous. He was ora'e
a. a lion. but he had not acquired inc
sturdy strength that comes WIN OUT
door ranch life. On the contrary
Helena had gained the bronze the
hardened muscles, the health-glowins
face of a true northwestern prairie
girl. She was the admiration OF ner
own sex and the cherished model OF
her numerous gentleman friends
There went back to Budd terse
single line: wharton Lind Is ready
for you"
Budd swa ggered around his friends
down at Paynters all the morning OF
the day set for the combat He went
over to Lowrie about dusk. took a
drink or two and rode up to the Limo
home on his melted broncho boldly
and full Of confidence.
II was a moonless night and the
house was wrapped in darkness, ex-
cept where a broad stream Of radi-
ance reflected across the grass from
a lamp in the untenanted sitting room.
He made out figure leaning against
one of the posts clad in buckskin garb
and wearing the shadowing sombrero
Of the district.
I'm Budd Paynter," announced the
visitor brusquely. Ready for bust
ness?"
In reply his waiting adversary nod
ded and led the way to clear level
spot fifty feet away Then began the
battle.
| Budd sailed in" over-confdent In
his opinion OF his superiority over a
tenderfoot. Then he set on guard.
There had come half dozen quick
blows that dazed him. As his op-
ponent grappled. he felt himself lift.
ed featherlike and flung ten feet
away. landing with shock.
you've won." he acknowledged,
and then with true frontier chivalry
adXanced with outstretchcd hand.
Bld1 changed the anticipated grip
to a clasp. His recent opponent had
suddenly staggered and had he not
reached out would have fallen to the
ground. Budd half lifted, half dragged
his inanimate burden towards the
house.
"Hey, there" he hailed as he came
within the radius Of the light. young
Lind has overdone himself, though he
whipped me, mind you, and fair and
square. Thunder"
For the first moment Budd Paynter
saw the face Of his opponent. The
hat had fallen of, the light streamed
directly across Helena.
Across one cheek was an abrasion
Her lower lip was slightly cut and
bleeding.
II hit you" gasped Budd-"a
woman! I did that Say, could CRY
over 1t! Lady. shall never forgive
myself"
Aye. he could indeed have wep,
over his rough handiwork, he could
have kissed those trembling lips. As
Helena reused up in her usual strong
womanly way, she directed one brief
singing rebuke.
1t was to upbraid him for his idle
useless ways. Because her brother
was Ill, because he would have met
the challenge even at that disadyan
tage. she had assumed his part she
told Budd. and he hung his head in
shame, Then he went from her pres
ence. for the first time in his life
with lowered head and awakened
conscience.
Then strange things began to han
PEN At Paynters the old chums q,
Budd began to marvel at a sudden
somber change that had come owe,
him.
A month later, two days before the
announced wedding Of Wharton Lind
there appeared at the Lind home the
subject OF considerable thought and
interest to Helena-the new Budd
Paynter.
| I've come from the boys down
home, Miss Lind" announced Rudd
shyly. but very polite, though emhar
raised. They've authorized me 70 A.
the usual thing when a friend l,ke
MISS Willis steps off," and he nm
duced neat case containing a hand
some bracelet.
Why. this is truly charming do
ciared Helena, and she invited the
caller in. Then when he went ar.,
sne accompanied him to the road
There Budd halted. fumb,ins IT,
NAT seriously. He stole a glance :,
her proud handsome face
Miss Lind" he blurted out "T'm
better man than I was when Ar,
met you" hr''
You deserve credit" said Hs,.,.
and she flushed a trifle.
You can make me still better" \.
continued. and only you. Miss IT,
IL could call here once in a while.
His face gloyed u,,,h