The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-27
No to : frst-cla.s bed. Good for JON.

1OWUOGy
They became close chums, those
two. during the next few days The
constant companionship Of the animal
pleased and cheered Neal. Al to
Towser. . grateful sample Of true
fidelity he seemed to be supremely
content One night, however. when
they arrived at the barn. they found
the doors barred and padlocked. and
II was not 20 dark but that Neal could
read scrswled across the new bar
rier the chalked words: "Trespassers
WIN b prosecuted according to the
law"
Il had begun to rain and man and
dog had tramped . long distance that
afternoon. Neal looked for Temporary
shelter. He found It 1t the side Of the
house 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 whom Neal swoke. Tow
ser was pulling at his coat Neal sat
up and then sprang to his feet a.
from the inside Of the house an echo.
ing scream Of terror or pain rang out.
Something wrong" uttered Neal
IN instant. land Towser knows it."
The dog. with an eager impatient
glance back at his master. had start.
ed for the house. Neal followed. The
front door was open. Down the hall
the dog stole to where q door stood
partly ajar Beyond it Neal peered fol-
the moment, Mortified and spellbound
Across table in his night dress lay
the hermitlike occupant Of the house
old Jacob Wise. He was tied across
It. There was fire in the stove, and
stuck between its red hot bars was q
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 9
fortune hidden away in some odd cor
ner of this old house and I want it
understand"
Jacob Wise made no response. Thu
robber drew the poker from the stove
Tell where that money is" he spoke
"or I'll give you touch Of this"
| The intruder waved the red no
poker menacingly. He moved 1t across
the bare soles Of his victims feet.
/ "I'll 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 revolve
against the side Of his opponent
! The last thing that Neal Barrett
saw as he sank unconscious to tn
floor was the dog. his teeth at tn
throat Of the wretch who had downc,
| his master.
The waking moment came day
later, although Neal did not realiz
that fact when he first reused UP
In amazement he stared. Old Jaco1
Wise sat at his bedside In comfort
able room. Through an open door
way. moving about engaged in domei
tic duties, Neal saw Florence PA
sons!
"Ah! better!" chuckled the old mise
Good boy! I've been awfully anxious
Know herr" and he nodded his hea'
towards the tidy. graceful figure 1
the next apartment.
"Yes." whispered Neal weakly. bu
his face aglow with tenderness an
delight.
"she's true blue" declared the oil
man fervently.
How true blue" Neal Barrett knev
after a little explanation. The faith
full Towser had driven the robbie
away. terribly lacerated. Jacob Wis,
grateful to man and dog who ha
saved to him part Of his boarded fol
tune. had given Neal the best Car
possible
Some memoranda found on Nes
had advised Wise of the existence q
Florence. He had written her Sh
had come to nurse the unfortunat
man she still loved.
I'll call her in now" advised Wis,
"She knows I'm going to start you on
on a new life. with plenty of capita
You're q brave man, and that do
shall have q real silver collar. Az I
the young lady-dont miss you
chance to get good WIFE,"
Which Neal did not, and Towse
loyal. valiant Towser! was not shy
out from guestship whom the happ
wedding took place.