The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-10

onward. 1t was one played that night
of the loving-cup episode. He thought
Of Nella. He took from his pocket hls
memorandum book. From between its
pages he tenderly lifted the rose, now
faded, to his lips.
All for her sake was he glad that,
striking out on an independent line,
he had penetrated to the very heart
of the enemys country. was returning
with secret and exclusive information
which, blazoned forth to an interested
reading world, would signalize intrepid
efforts and place him high among the
great war correspondents OF the year
With almost a cheer Ross Worden
dragged himself into the signal tower.
The operator stared askance. A man
lounging and smoking nearby stared.
sprang up in establishment and cried
out:
"You-Worden."
Worden recognized the man, Pierce
Disbrow, a journalist of poor repute,
a man he did not like. He greeted him
in a friendly way, but instantly cen
tered his attention upon the operator.
He drew a dozen closely-written sheets
from his pocket.
"Union News service, my man, he
announced. You must get this copy
to the cable instanter."
All right, nodded the man, while
Disbrow glared with envy at what he
surmised from the exultant face Of
Worden must comprise some big
scoop"
Look OUT" abruptly shouted Dis
brow, and botcd for the open air. The
others were not so fortunate. An UNI
expected bomb had come direct from
the enemy's camp across the river. 1t
shattered the frail station as though
it were an egg shell. When the
devastation was complete DisbroW
crept in among the debris. He found
the operator dead and Worden insen-
sible and apparently fatally injured
He crept forth again in possession OF
the scoop" data of Ross Worden.
Three months later, poor, wretched,
limping. mere shadow OF his former
self, Ross Worden returned to the city
which he had left with such high
hopes. When he reported to his news
bureau it was to be treated coldly, in
differently, as man who had failed
to make good. 1t was then that he
learned that the news he had gathered
at such peril had been used by Dis
brow who had received high credit
for the same.
The discovery crushed him. He
was still i'll from his wound received
in the explosion. He sought poor, OBJ
scure lodgings; he was Frustrated
with fever. To pay his way his land
lord piece by piece pawned his few
possessions even the loving cup.
Then a spell of fever and delirium
and he awoke in a beautiful room, and
beautiful woman was ministering to
his wants-Nella Armour!
1t was no dream, and this was the
Armour home, and soon Dale Armour
was at his side and telling him how
they had found him-poor, ill, desert
ed by his friends.
1T was Nella who did it," he said
do you notice yonder your loving
cup? She saw il in window on sale
redeemed it and that led to our trac
ing you, and now-dear old friend
look!"
Dale Armour held before the eyes
of Worden newspaper exposure o.
the perfdy of Pierce Disbrow in steal
ing the credit of the great wal
SCOOP" This rohabilitated Wor
den, and with restored health the high
est ranks of journalism were open t
him.
Convaescent week later, Nell;
Z Armour pressed to his lips a cup con
. tanning medicine. She kissed the rim
l tenderly as she did SO, for there wal
r a perfect understanding between
y them now. His eyes filled with tear
3 of Joy.
1 "1he loving cup!" he murmured-
i ''tho loving cup, full to Overlooking!