The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-14
BROUGHT TO ANCHOR
BY VICTOR REocLIFFE. !

CHcuS tent With a cneery whistle.
It's like beginning life all ovel
again." ne soliloquized, only I've go
last months salary in my pocket Ho
for the road and adventure. Wish
was a wandering minstrel. Aha
there's genuine one.
Open-hearted Cy paused to look vi
into tree and drink in the wild, swee
melody of e red-breasted robin. perch
ed on high limb. He had not beer
always circus juggler. Once he had
been a prime violinist and had led ar
orchestra. Then he had drifted into
the juggling art. The irresponsible life
of the circus just suited him.
So, for nearly a week Cy roved
where he listed. The balmy air, the
smiling flowers. the singing birds, lit
tie wayside meetings with this and
that odd character enchanted him
One dark. lowering morning Cy left q
little village on ten mile tramp.
1t had rained the night before, and
at the tavern where he had bought
his breakfast he was warned to post.
| pune HIS Journey
"Oh, I like the rain. 1t will make
me grow" he jubilated.
Cy changed his mind, five miles &C
complished. He had never encoun-
tered such deluge His clothing was
soaked through. At ford he had
gone over his head in the water
through slip, and had barely rescued
his precious juggling and musical out
| fit.
| The road he was now pursuing was
| flooded clear over its center There
were dangerous ruts and quagmires
The downpour was incessant, and a
cold wind had come up that chilled
| him to the marrow.
I've got to get to shelter some
where" unused Cy. and finally. upon
slight elevation at a distance, he
made out house
AS he neared it, he discovered that
a surging brook far over its banks iso-
lated the place on three sides. In
front Of 1t was depression, now a
perfect pond
There's barn behind the house."
he reflected. I'll ask them to let me
camp there until this storm let's up
little"
There was deep ditch to cross,
spanned by board. The frail plank
snapped in two as Cy balanced on it's
center. When he managed to get out
OF the water that had submerged him.
he noticed on the porch of the house
neat-looking female staring in con.
Germ at his unpleasant predicament
She beckoned to him urgently. As
ne neared her, the humorous aspect of
the situation made his CHEEKY face
break into smile. Then, as he looked
upon a sweet-faced woman OF about
twenty-five, still in the bloom of her
beauty. he lifted his dripping cap and
made his best stage bow.
miss, I hope I do not trouble you,
but II you would let me have shelter
in the barn yonder for spell"
ooh. dear. no! Come right in
through the hall to the kitchen, where
there ia a good warm fire." invited the
lady, Never mind the wet. can mop
that up.
"Why, it's like heaven and you are
its angel" declared Cy sincerely, as
he was greeted by the warm, comfort
able air of the kitchen.
1--WE have a gardener here in sum.
mer and think you will find some of
his clothes in the room overhead" ex.
planned the lady. you can dry your
own while you wear them"
Cy's face wore a constant smile of
happiness and contentment as the
hours OF the gloomy day wore on. His
kind hostess provided a cheering meal. |
Then six little children came into the |
kitchen to inspect the stranger. Then
Cy found out that his hostess was a
Miss Mercy Walters. This was her
little home. Each one of the children
was cripple. She explained that she
had given her life to care for such |
homeless and friendless waits.
Soon Cy had the little group fas-
He made them cape as he
late fire. as he sent a cascade of daz-
zling metal balls into the air, as he |
swallowed a sword and finally en-.
raptured them with music from his /
beloved violin.
For three days he, with the others,
was marooned. The gardeners room
had been given him. He did all the
chores about barn and garden Often
and often he made Miss Walters smile |
at his quaint. frank heartiness.
'Td like to be fixture. he said to
himself. And Miss Mercy,-no, I'd
better get away before l find 1t too
hard to leave here
He followed out this resolution
week later. The little ones chung to
him and wept at his departure Miss
Walters was strangely futtered
''If you would stay, could afford to
pay you something" she ventured.
"For a labor of love-of love all
around?" he cried. and she flushed
deeply. Miss Mercy, l would feel
life blessing to live it always helping
you make these dear little ones hap
py."
Don't 60 she said suddenly and
Drokenly. and her trembling hand rest
I'd on his arm
IF dared to think that you would
be glad to have me return" he said,
before | put momentous question
% you, would do so. But only after
was sure the old drinking fever
have told you about would never trou
Die me again"