The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-23

With fear and suspense. The voices
were louder, and the men came nearer
she had put her hands over her
ears, but took them away now and
deliberately listened. The first tone
she recognized was Max's voice, and
despite herself . great relief and
sense OF safety crept over her At
least nothing dreadful could happen
with Max about.
I'll be policeman, spy or anything
else when 1t comes to her safety and
happiness. you dog! She doesn't have
to marry me: l don't want her to un-
less she wants me more than she
seems to. but at least I have put you
out Of commission! You're not even
. hrst.class scoundrel-just a cheap
sneak! Do you suppose 1t took me
long to get your, record looked up?
What about your being fred by Mat
tox & Co? What did it cost your
people to buy them OF from prose-
cutting your"
Something inside Drusie stopped.
She loved honesty. The men had
come 50 close that she might almost
have touched them. and she saw that
Max held the other man by his COL
lar, and that suddenly he broke away
and aimed a blow at his captor.
In a moment the two we're fighting
desperately, crashing into the bushes,
Henry Main cursing. She was afraid
they would tread upon her, and
slipped up and hid behind a tree
trunk. She wanted to call for help.
she wanted to stop them, but she
dared not move. They might hurt
each other-he might-hurt Max.
Then she knew where her heart was.
Why didn't Max speak?
The thrashing about stopped, and
peering about, she saw dimly that
one man lay on the earth and that
the other knelt upon him. To her
infinite relief 1t was Max who
| spoke.
Now. you get out Of here. and II
you want a decent home life go and
try to win back the wife you abused
until she divorced you, and be q
father to the boy you're not At to
have! But you let my girl alone!
She is mine. and when you're out
OF the way she'll come to her senses.
Now, you can tell me where she ia
pretty COMPOUNDED quick! know you
came here to meet her, and it would
be like you to let her be frightened
somewhere in the dark waiting for
you'll"
Let me up and I'll get out Of
here!" Max let him rise, and in an
instant he was running. crashing OF
through the brush. Drusie found her
voice-the dark was now terror to
her.
Max! Maxi" Her call was clear
and loud, and Max answered her. He
came toward her. and she went trem-
bling to meet him.
Are you-all right. Drusie7"
Suddenly she went to him, putting
both her hands on his arm.
Take me home" she said, break.
ing down and crying and sobbfng.
Take me home!" He put Arm arm
about her and lead her from the wood
and across the pasture. but he said
nothing about loving her. The un.
real. the dream of the man who had
gone left her mind, and she saw how
close she had been-not to q great
danger to herself, but to the calamity
Of losing Max-if indeed she had not
already lost him.
"Drusie." he said at length. II don't
| vniPn ,hD
When you have made up your mind
you can send for me and I will take
your decision. But what do want to
know 10 whether you have seen
enough tonight to make you sure you
don't want-that fellow. Do your"
She shivered. "You know I-hate
him." she breathed. you know-i
must have been crazy! You know
have never really wanted anybody
but you! You know I want you to
forgive mel"
Az they came to the barn old Beauty
put out her head again, and Max
laughed and turning to Drusie took
her in his arms.
Home IL best. isn't It? Even II
home folks are, common and plain.
But they love you. girl" Al they
came toward the house the girls
father put his gray head from the
window Of his room.
| Who's there?" he demanded bellig-
erently. Max answered:
"Only Max" he said quietly. Il
coaxed Drusie out a couple Of hours
ago. 1t took us a long time to make
up. Sorry I'm bringing her in 20 late.
She's all right"
| Drusie knew that her fathers grunt
was a grunt of deep Joy. She knew
he would sleep that night.