The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-06


saver"
Il fear not" tremored Nellie. mo.
do not take the risk. Father and
brother-mother!"
Nellie spoke this last word in al
most shrek. She had turned to look
at 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 Ne!co in his arms. The con-
tact of that beloved form electrified
him to mighty endeavor.
Take her" he spoke to the mother
4 will find the child
He caught the echo of the bells of
the village fire wagon fastening down
the road. He observed Boyd just aris-
ing to his feet. drenched and discom-
fitted. Then Ned made a dash for a
side entrance 10 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.
1t was sleeping room. and despite
the dense clouds OF smoke pouring
into the apartment Ned could discern
outlines. A lighted lamp stood on q
stand Ned thrilled at an impressive
picture its rays disclosed.
Pulling over the disturbed covers
of trundle bed near to a 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
can't find her. Maybe she's burned
up! And it loses me to be in all this
smoke-oh, my! oh, my"
You sit right there for an instant,
Ruth" directed Ned, lifting her to a
chair. I'll find dolly for you"
In a 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 he had no
time to lose if he would not be over
taken by the flames, and the stairway
route of escape cut Off A CLINT Of
jewelry lying on bureau, however,
had caught his eye. Ned ran towards
1t.
There was a 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-
longea to Nellie, followed.
Upon the stand where the lamp
stood, Nellie had apparently been writ
ing letter when the fire started. She
had abandoned little keepsake men,
orandum book, ring and a gold
mounted penholder. Ned thrust these
also into pocket of his coat. Then
he ran towards Ruth and snatched her
up in his arms. A hot blast swept his
face as he reached the corridor, but
he shielded the child as best he could.
Some way, although half suffocated,
he managed to get down the stairs
and into the open air.
oh, we thank you! We thank
you" sobbed Nellie, as the little one
was brought to her.
Her hand clutched at that OF the
rescuer with fervor. Her warm glance
thrilled Ned. He hurriedly handed
to her some of the articles from his
pockets-all of them. he thought.
Neighbors cared for the family now
and the fire wagon finally saved about
half of the building.
A telegram was received by Boyd
next morning, calling him back to the
city. Ned did not go with him. He
promised to go on the evening train,
but he must see Nellie at least once
again. An hour later, to his surprise,
he found in pocket Of his coat a
ring and the memorandum book he
had saved from the fire.
1t would serve as a good excuse for
calling on Nellie to return these. Tho
book fell open in his clasp Ned could
not help but read the only page writ
ten on. II was headed: People
whom | like" A long list of names
followed. That of Randolph Boyd was
among them Ills own, too, but
scratched out
Then he had never held her com.
plete favor? He VAS grim, but re.
signed, as he restored the book TO Mel
lie. 1t was on the porch of the house
where she was staying
Il am sorry you are going away,
Mr.. Alton" she said.
Il regret it, too" replied Ned, seri-
ously for my brief stay here has
DNth iAtoat iAiNstA9AAhs iAOlI' Ou VII
remember meas friend"
Nellie started. She fumbled the
book in her hand. Then. aroused, she
glanced at the written list.
Mr.. Alton, she spoke, strange
culver in her voice, ''you-you saw
this?"
Il could not help it,"
"Oh, do not misunderstood" she
pleaded, Il that is. your name-oh,
cannot you underst and?"
Understand what? His heart gave
one Wild throb Her dropping eyes
told the story. His name had been