The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-19

self dehnntly upon the floor and
doubled his fists.
Leave the kid alone. He's got
some spirit" shouted one Of the kind
lier of the crowd.
But another ran. upon him and struck
the boy a vicious blow on the face.
knocking him backward into Benson's
arms. Instantly the saloon was in an
uproar. The drunken cowboys were
evenly divided in their opinions of
Harry, and meant to enforce them.
Then 1t was that Benson, looking
into his face with the perspicacity Of
sobriety. realized that Harry Saunders
was girl. The "impersonation" had
been no impersonation at ALL He was
the impersonation.
Swiftly he moved toward the door
with Harry, and, before the cowboys
had realized that their quarry. and
their object Of protection respectively,
was gone he had untethered his horse
and mounted.
He leaned over. Jump" he shout.
ed; and as he did so the drunken mob
came pouring out, all now animated by
the same spirit OF anger.
Benson leaned low and hoisted the
girl into the saddle in front of him
just as the leaders ranged themselves
about him.
Put him down, Bent" they yelled.
Hes got to sing and dance and drink
now. and then. maybe. wen teach him
some more"
Benson spurred his horse, which
reeled wildly. upsetting the two who
clutched at the bride. Then he was
off. galloping down the long, dusty
road toward his ranch. miles in the
distance. One or two shots were fired;
but very soon. he had got clear OF the
town. and, looking back, saw that he
was not followed.
He refined in his painting steed to a
walk and spoke for the first time.
Who are you? How did you get
here" he demanded. First, your
name-unless you don't want to give
it."
The girl looked up at him, and the
awful fear upon her face disappeared
when she saw the kindness on his.
Ethel Saunders" she said timfi1y..
Harry was my brother. He was the
impersonator. He-he died"
How did you get here?"
Il had to come West. l was threat
ened with tuberculosis. l could dance
and sing little, but had never done
so in public, and II didn't dare trust
myself in the mining camps. So since
Harry had been known l thought I'd
take his place and pretend to be
boy. But I'm going home now. I
can't bear what happened today" She
burst out sobbing, and the discolored
mark on her cheek showed like q
finger of shame.
Il can take you to Lumley's. The
coach will be there this afternoon"
said Benson. "But the troupe"
They mustn't know. tell you I've
done with 1t all. I'm going home"
Where's your homer"
East"
People there?"
What is it to you? No. I have
nobody"
Then you'll do what to liver"
Tho same old camel" she cried
hopelessly. ''The same-but sick as
! am of 1t what else can do?"
Benson felt swift and vast pity for
the helplessness of this child, thrust
alone into the world, into the West,
helpless. A glance at her face showed
him that the rose OF innocence,
scorched though it had been by the
life there, still bloomed.
'Listenl" he said. II guess life has
treated both of us pretty badly. But
I've got little ranch yonder, and
will you try 1t with me? If you won't,
Ill take you to Lumley's. Here's the
crossroads
But since she made no answer, he
looked at her again and set his horse
toward the ranch.