The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-05

on the home lot. I'd bore and shovel
TIL I got results IL went clear
through to Chinal Oh, dearl When
see the dear old folks Just pining
away for the old home life in the East.
go almost wild at my helplessness .
There was q little garden sass
patch behind the cabin and Leonie
attended to this. She was hoeing
some sweet corn rows next morning
when stranger passed by. He halt
ed at sight of her.
Young lady" he said. lifting his
cap politely. Il am to meet some men
at the Wenatchee mine this morning
Can you tell me where to find it?H
In an instant Leonie surmised that
this must be the prospective victim of
the fellows who had sailed the mine.
The stranger was a young man. well
dressed, handsome of face and the re-
spectful manner in which he accosted
her pleased Leonie
Il think could tell you something
to your advantage. If you are look
ing for an investment in the property
you name." said Leonie. after brief
moment of reflection.
"Indeed?" smiled the young man.
1T would be gratefully received. for
I am what they call tenderfoot."
Leonie recited her experience of the
day preceding. The young man be-
came grave and thoughtful
Il thank you for your warning" he
said earnestly. "and don't think
those men will sell me the Wenatchee
mine. am open for any promising
gold prospect. though" he said.
The salters never learned who had
steered their victim away from their
evil clutches, but Leonie saw more
of Shelby Roberts. the young man
looking for investments for his uncle
in the East. Somehow sweet wild
rose In the Wilderness, Leonie had ap-
pealed to him. She greeted him as an
agreeable acquaintance as the days
went on. He learned her history and
was interested.
One morning Leonie was leaving the
house when bronzed, bearded great
bear Of fellow arose from the door
step. where he had been seated.
beg pardon. Miss" he said in his
rough way. but was Just resting.
was an old pal of Ben Dorsey and
was terribly shocked last evening
when heard he was dead. thought
I'd drop by the old place here on my
way over the range and take a look
at the prospect Dorsey expected such
great returns from"
you mean the digging back of the
house?" inquired Leonie.
"Just that. There's richness lying
under the soil and not far down,
either. / told Dorsey that the first
time he showed me the groupings"
Then the old miner went on his way.
It was quite natural that Leonie
should mention the circumstances to
Mr.. Roberts. 1t was doubly natural
that by this time Mr.. Roberts should
be greatly interested in anything that
concerned Leonie. He asked permits
sion to put some men to work to try
out the proposition. There were amaz-
ing results from the experiments and
assays.
Leonie went almost wild with de-
light one day when Mr.. Roberts ad-
vised her that he was authorized by
his uncle to offer $4,000 for the ten
acres.
1T can't be true!" cried Leonie. the
tears OF Joy running down her bonnie
cheeks. "oh! what will the old folks
say7"
It was the happiest day Of her life
that which saw her homesick adopted
parents back in their native town, set
tied in beautiful home, with suffi-
cient reserve means to live on in COM
fort, even luxury, for the rest of their
lives.
Then Leonie came into her own. She
had roughed 1t out West like the
CHEEKY, courageous girl that she was.
She fell into the ways of fashion and
society just as adaptably under the
new conditions.
Shelby Roberts, after the lapse of a
month, on his way to his uncle,
stepped OF at the pretty village.
In wonder he stared at the trans
formed Leonie. II she had interested
him in her frontier homespun garb
and rude surroundings, she fascinated
him now, the lady complete, as she
ever had been.
He missed his train for home for
four days in succession. Then he
went TO Leonie boldly.
Miss Burch." he said in his frank.
earnest way. I've got good news for
my uncle about that mine you dis
covered. I'd like to add the crowning
Joy to that fortunate circumstance? r.
You mean7' began Leonie inquisi.
lively.
by telling him that | am engaged
to the sweetest girl ever met"
And Leonie. always straightforward
and true, did not hang her head or az
feet superficial coyness. She placed
her hand in his the bronzed hand
that had worked so hard for those she
loved-and whispered softly:
You make me very happyi"