The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-06

Yes, 1t is BEST" apOke che 6GFYe
master. and the approving lock In
his eye told that he appreciated my
desire to run all the risk--for risk It
was.
There was q clear half-moon. and
the road was broad and even the 6rst
part of the journey. l noticed my
companion SILVER as We diyerged into
more obscure bride paths.
Twice she urged up her horse and
kept close to mine. I saw that the
weird loneliness Of our environment
afrighted.
You must fall back" l spoke def
nitely, but pleasantly.
"But-but l fear|I am afraid" she
demurred.
1T must be as l say" insisted.
1T is necessary to your safety. You
will appreciate what l say when the
journey is completed"
She did not understand, and bridled.
She fell back. but with an offended
look upon her face.
Twice up to midnight we came upon
friendly encampments. My creden-
tails passed us on. At the last place
the commandant read the safe con-
duct: "One Walworth Doty and wife.
Madam, salute you"
She directed a flashing glance at
me, as IL arraigning me for an affront.
l met her glance steadily. That beau
tiful face enchanted me, but l tried
to act the guide under strict disci-
pline.
1t must have been three O'Clock in
the morning when we reached the
most difficult part of the route. Here
the road ran along the edge of cliff.
l had been advised by Worst that the
enemy were likely to be prowlins
about. l thought Of that-and of the
load the pack horse carried. l In
creased the space between myself and
my convoy. Her angry. yet anxious
face resented this. had to speak
sharply to have her maintain the dis
lance. She received 1t with pout
and a toss of her head. Suddenly
turning a curve in the rock-lined road
there came a quick word:
Halt"
made out an armed officer. He wal
of the enemy. Beyond him, so fee
in a ravine, was temporary camp
He kept a revolver and leveled at mt
as he grabbed out to seize the bride
Of the pack horse.
The animal swerved, threw up 1T
head, curvetted past him and brok'
into quite trot The officer turned
and leveled his weapon, intent on halt
> ing the fight with a shot.
stop! Stop!" shouted.
Too late! The well-aimed bulle
struck one of the packages on thu
back of the horse, bored into it ant
there was frightful defamation.
saw the officer, struck by hug
fragment of rock. fall prone and life
less. l saw the pack horse. blown t.
atoms, go over the ledge into tn
midst of the camp below. I heard
shrek and ran back to my charge.
You are hurt?" cried solicitously
mo! No! But you" and l fel
the warm blood trickling from my tort
head. where a flying piece Of rock ma
struck me. Then l hurried on ne
horse and my own past the motionles
officer, away from the camp.
What was it," she shuddered, q
we deviated to a broader road.
Dynamite"
She started and paled. Then sh
insisted on binding up my wound wit
lace scarf. She kept close besid
me.
"And It was to shield me that yc
took all the risk!" she murmured.
Within the hour we were safe
friendly hands. All her disdain ar
GOODNESS was gone now. She SCENE
to look to me for help. placed HI
in kindly hands.
Within two days I located her
Their and mother She insisted on n
. taking her to them. Then that l b
come their guest.
And thus it was that out Of gre
i. war I won a bride-no longer, ho'
1t ever my dear Lady Disdain!
c. Copyright. 1915. by w. G. Chapman.l