The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-27

some old brown hollands There wa
a tubful Of the stun left over. Thinks
!, win It do the work. It did. Went
on slick as grease. It may not last or
wear. but for one evening defy any
one to see a speck of white, or any
stranger to guess that the horse has
been hocussed, hey?"
Rupert did not know whether he
had better laugh or storm. He looked
over Feecy critically. Yes, in the
gathering dusk, the old animal would
pass muster. No one would particu-
larry notice F1eecy. He would be
only few moments in front of the
house where he was to cali for Miss
vane. Dusk would favor the situa-
ton. By the time they reached Grey
vile 1t would be dark, and he could
tether the horse in an obscure spot.
So Miss Vane's sensibilities would be
spared.
Rupert had never seen Miss Lora
Vane before. As he saw her for the
first time an hour later, he wished he
could keep her in view for the rest OF
his life. She was-ravishing. And
her hair-a golden glory Red? He
would bodily assault his brother-in-law
II he ever made the insinuation again !
II it shaded on the tabooed derided
hue, 1t was in a magnificent way that
made Rupert wish every girl in the
world was singularly glorified.
Everything went charmingly. There
was gay lantern-lit party on the
lawn, dancing, refreshments and ey:
erybody happy. AS Rupert helped
Miss vane into the buggy, he felt that
he had passed the most enjoyable eve
ming of his life. Lora was trimming
over with joyousness, she liked her es-
cort and she felt that this was true
and was radiantly content.
Her sister was to be driven after
them by her escort to the Grey home.
Rupert started down the. hill road first.
The sky had become obscured and it
began to rain.
Rupert got out the rain robe and
tucked in his pretty companion Sc
curely. There was drenching show
er. It beat down for a full half hour.
Then the moon came out and then
He noticed Miss Vane staring askance
at old Fleecy. He glared himself.
Fleecy was once more in propria per-
soma. The rain had washed OF the
tflin coating of dye. Old Fleecy had
turned white in single hourl
Rupert was on nettles. He met the
questioning, half quizzical eyes of his
fair companion once. He believed she
saw through the entire gauzy tissue
of mask and circumstance. He was
about to stammer out q lame express
sion when there was weird scream.
1t came from the shut-in cut they
had Just traversed.
my sister," cried Lora sharply.
ooh, listen!" A runaway"
There was no doubt of it from the
sounds. Rupert halted F1eecy and
bent his ear intently. He could trace
the sharp ringing hoofs of horse, the
jar and jangle of a swaying vehicle.
The cries of distress and terror came
nearer and nearer.
Miss Vane,' he spoke hurriedly,
please alight. If runaway horse
gets out of the cut on the open here,
he is liable to go over the side of the
gully to sure destruction"
He knew just what to do. He cal
culated how far he could depend on
Fleecy-wise, intelligent old farm vet
eran. Quickly turning about he drove
back into the cut, blocked the road
and old FIeecy braced for the crash.
1t came, but the sturdy shield never
wavered. Lora's sister clinging to her
seat, the runaway was checked Her
escort had been thrown from the We
hicle, but came running up unhurt.
AS they reached the Grey home
later Lora went up to old Fleecy. She
guessed all, even the thoughtful over
sensitiveness of Rupert. She put her
arms around the neck of the hero
horse.
you brave creature" she said.
"You saved my sisters life, you and
your master here"
Her long hair showed like FURNISHED
gold in the moonlight. Rupert felt
that 1t would be rapture to kiss that
in turn. And within a week he had
the right to do so.