The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-08

cles as they had been able to save
from the burning house. The entire
front of the building was ablaze. Boyd
ran to the well, excitedly seized a
bucket of water, made a wild dash,
ran into Mr.. Merrill and went fiat to
the ground. his impetuosity having
rather a ludicrous Temptation.
What can we do?" inquired Ned
rapidly to the trembling girl he loved.
The rear part of the house is not yet
ablaze. Is there anything we can
saver"
Il fear not" tremored Nellie. mo.
do not take the risk. Father and
brother-nother!"
Nellie spoke this last word In al
most a shrek. She had turned to look
at a heap of bedding near by. Two
minutes before her little sister Ruth.
carried asleep from the house, had
been placed there.
What is it," inquired Ned. solic-
itously.
my sister, Ruth! She is gone!"
And Nellie seemed on the point Of
swooning away.
She woke up just now" faltered
Mrs. Merrill. Il heard her ask for
her doll"
"Oh. mother! can she have gone
back into the house," cried Nellie.
Ned Alton caught the half fainting
form of Nellie in his arms. The con-
tact of that beloved form electrified
him to mighty endeavor.
Take her." he spoke to the mother.
i will find the child"
lie caught the echo of the bells of
the village fire wagon fastening down
the road. lie observed Boyd just aris-
ing to his feet. drenched and discom-
fitted. Then Ned made dash for
side entrance to the house.
The flames had not yet reached that
part of the building, but the smoke
was thick and suffocating. Ned was
unfamiliar with the upper portion OF
the structure. but he breasted his way
to landing. Then he noticed beyond
an open doorway lighted lamp, and
started in that direction
~ "Uo - oASSPihto Aooihs GNU uVoPitS
the dense clouds Of smoke pouring
into the apartment Ned could discern
outlines. A lighted lamp stood on 8
| stand. Ned thrilled at an impressive
picture its rays disclosed.
Pulling over the disturbed covers
Of trundle bed near to q larger one.
was little night-gowned figure. Ruth
was crying. her eyes half blinded by
the smarting smoke.
why, Ruth" spoke Ned; what
are you doing here!"
I'm looking for Betty. my pretty
dolly" sobbed the little one. and I
can't find her. Maybe she's burned
up! And 1t loses me to be In Ill this
smoke-oh, my! oh. my"
You sit right there for An instant.
Ruth" directed Ned. = lifting her to- .
chair. III find dolly for you." ~
In . minute or two he discovered
the coveted doll ON the floor under
the trundle bed. He restored Betty
to Ruth. A glowing radiance In the
hallway warned Ned that hs had No
time to lose II he would not be over
taken by the flames. and the stairway
route Of escape cut OF. A CLINT o.
jewelry lying on . bureau. however
had caught his eye. Ned ran towards
1t.
There was . pin he had seen Nellie
wear. and there lay her watch and
chain. He slipped these articles hast
lily into his pocket. Some laces, pre-
cious to his heart because they be
Ionged to Nellie, followed.
Upon the stand where the lamI
stood. Nellie had apparently been writ
ing q letter when the fire started. Sh,
had abandoned q little keepsake mem
orandum book. a ring and q gol'
mounted penholder. Ned thrust thes
asso into a pocket Of his coat. Thel
he ran towards Ruth and snatched he
I up In his arms. A hot blast swept hi
face as he reached the corridor. bu
he shielded the child as best he could
Some way. although half suffocatet
he managed to get down the stair
and into tho open air.
"Oh. we thank you! We than
you!" sobbed Nellie. as the little on
was brought to her.
Her hand clutched at that Of tn
rescuer with fervor. Her warm glanc
thrilled Ned. He hurriedly handle
to her some Of the articles from hi
pockets-all Of them, he though
Neighbors cared for the family mo-
and the fire wagon finally saved abo,
half Of the building.
A telegram was received by Boy
next morning. calling him back to th
city. Ned did not 90 with him. H
promised to go on the evening trail
but he must see Nellie at least ono
again. An hour later, to his surpris
he found in a pocket of his coat
ring and the memorandum book b
had saved from the FIRE.
1t would serve as a good excuse II
calling on Nellie to return these. Tf
book fell open in his clasp. Ned coul
not help but read the only page wri
ten on. II was headed: Peep
whom 1 like" A long list Of nam,
followed. That Of Randolph Boyd ",
among them. His own. too, but
scratched out,
| Then he had never held her 60,