The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-31

NhoN chO ndo luc
She knew not why. but all Of a sudden |
her heart had melted. To think that
she had severed all interest with the |
man she loved overwhelmed her. Two |
men waiting for car took up a DO |
sition not half a dozen feet distant |
from her. Althea recognized one of |
them. She did not know him person |
ally. but she recalled that once on that
street Roscoe had pointed him out as
a young and rising physician who was
a very close and cherished friend.
You have no apprehension concern
ing Blinn?" his companion asked, and
Althea's heart fluttered with keen
interest.
Not at ALL" replied the young doc
tor decisively. He sent for me In
time. His only worry has been his iso-
lation, and, fancy, his absence from
a young lady he particularly adores.
But he is free today. and"
Then they hurried to the car, leaving
Althea shaken, in doubt. tormented
with a thousand nameless fears. She
ran out to the letter box. She felt
like tearing it from it's staple holdings.
She strove to read the hours of mail
collections, but time and CRIME had
effaced the surface of the information
card.
81 must wait" she breathed. mo
matter how long. until the postman
| comes to collect the mall
Althea was so engrossed that she
stood rooted TO the spot. Within her
stirred a mighty conviction that she
had misjudged Mr.. Blinn.
Il must get that letter back-oh, l
must!" she painted fervently.
Hi there, LADY,"
"Out of the way-see what's com.
ing!"
Althea heard the shouts. She turned
at a roaring, crashing sound. She al
most tainted as she saw dashing to-
wards her a great loaded truck. The
/ horses were rushing forward with ire
mendous speed. Paralyzed with sud
den terror. Althea could not move. She
felt faint, Her eyes closed. She
swayed.
| Someone clasped her. She was lifted
back with swiftness. There was a
frightful contact. The wheels of the
truck had struck the supporting stand
ard holding the mail box. This was
shattered into thousand pieces.
She paid no attention to the voice
OF the deliverer. She never looked at
him, she never recognized him. She
saw only the contents of the shat
tered box flying wide-three or four
letters, her own among them
She identified her own. 1t was COW
cred with the mud of the street, but
she secured it and thrust it into her
dress with a half-audible cry Of hys-
trical relief.
Miss Kendall-Althea!" spoke a
voice that thrilled her. Turning she
recognized the man who had saved her
Roscoe Blnn!
Althea was mute. The reaction OF
the excitement again overpowered her
Don't be alarmed" spoke the dear
near voice. "All the danger is over
How lucky that | CHANGED by in time
to see your PERIL"
you saved me! It was you'll" fal
tered Althea, helpless in the strong
arms Of the hero, whom the crowd be
gan to cheer.
Then she found herself in an auto
mobile, summoned by this thoughtful
chevalier. and he solicitously seeking
to calm her frantic excitement.
! Il just got out suppose | mus
:. call it," he volunteered 81 very in
judiciously entered a contagion-a f
fected house in the slums in taking
y help to some poor sufferers. and thu
a doctor quarantined me until my danger
Q was past. You need not shrink from
= mel" he laughed jokingly-"the conta
4 gion period is positively past"
Shrink from you'll" fluttered happ!
: Althea, and he read that in her eye
y that overcame all his prudence.
He clasped her in his arms,
a And held her there