The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-29

It was dusk when we started. As
Worst babe the lady good-by, she
took his hand and expressed her graft
tude tearfully but with warmth. AS
he waved his hand towards me with
the words: This is your guide and
my friend, He Is brave and gentle
man." she drew up haughtily and gave
me simply cold, formal bow. 1t
rather nettled me, but said simply: |
81 will lead the pack horse. You had
better follow at, say, twenty feet"
She viewed me with challenging
stare, as though wondering at the ar
rangement
Yes. 1t is best" spoke the burgo-
master. and the approving look In
his eye told that he appreciated my
desire to run all the risk-for risk 1t
was.
There was q clear half-moon, and
the road was broad and even the first
part of the journey. noticed my
companion SILVER as we diverged into
more obscure bride paths.
Twice she urged up her horse and
kept close to mine. saw that the
weird loneliness Of our environment
affrighted.
You must fall back" 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 I 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'
, tials passed us on. At the last place
, the commandant read the safe con
;. duct: Zone Walworth Doty and wife
, Madam. salute YOU"
! She directed a flashing glance al
!. me, as II arraigning me for an affront
l met her glance steadily. That beau
r tiful face enchanted me, but trie'
4 to act the guide under strict disci
t. plins. !.
a It must have been three O'Clock II
!. the morning when we reached tn
q most difficult part Of the route. Her
v the road ran along the edge Of clif
n had been advised by Worst that tn
enemy were likely to be prowltn
q. about. thought Of that-and OF tn
). load the pack horse carried. II
"a creased the space between myself an
my convoy. Her angry. yet anxiou
d. face resented this. had to spea
=. sharply to have her maintain the ID
n. lance. She received 1t with q POI
Ia. and a toss of her head. Student
"a. turning q curve in the rock-lined roa
II. there came q quick word:
Halt"
- made out an armed ofilcer. He WI
OF the enemy. Beyond him, 80 fe
- in q ravine, was q temporary cam
- He kept q revolver and leveled at
8 as he grabbed out to seize the brio
Of the pack horse.
The animal swerved, threw up
head, curvetted past him and bro
into quite a trot. The oficer turn
and leveled his weapon, intent on hs
ing the fight with shot.
stop! Stop!" shouted.
Too late! The well-aimed bull
struck one of the packages on
back of the horse. bored into 1t
there was a frightful defamation.
saw the officer, struck by HI
fragment Of rock fall prone and 1
less. I saw the pack horse, blown
atoms, go over the ledge into
midst of the camp below. l hear'
shrek and ran back to my charge
"You are hurt?" cried solicitou
mo! No! But you" and
the warm blood trickling from my 4
head, where a flying piece of rock
struck me. Then l hurried on
horse and my own past the motionl
officer, away from the camp.
what was it," she shuddered,
J q we deviated to q broader road.
Dynamite"
She started and paled. Then
wal insisted on binding up my wound
last lace scarf. She kept close be-
&c me.
i'm "Ana II was TO shield me that
must took all the risk!" she murmured.
PACK Within the hour we were SAT-
Do friendly hands. All her disdain
'ney. coIdnesa was zone now. She see
/ for a. ,ock IN ma for help. placed
CON in kindly hands.
etter Within two days I located hel
Their and mother. She insisted or
10 . taking her to them. Then that
ange- come their guest.
And thus 1t was that out OF q
clue vor won a bride-no longer,
,orst oyer INV dear Lady Disdain!
treat convr,eht 1915. by w. G. chapml
zone