The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-12-28

get acquainted with strangers. There
was q touch Of romanticism in hdt
woodland wanderings. however. that
fed his idealistic fancy. This was the
discovery of gypsy band. whose
nomadic life he found Of interest and
worthy Of study, and his chivalry and
compassion were exercised in behalf of
a wrinkled old Romany dame who had
been arrested for drunkenness. Wal.
lace paid her fine and sent her away
grateful.
That gratitude found expression.
Wallace had taken long stroll quite
a distance away from Lovedale. 1t
was dusk the following evening and he
was wearicd and footsore as he came
within sight of the little town again.
He was not aware Of 1t, but the viii
lage had been stirred to its depths
since his departure. A little child, q
miss Of four, had disappeared. Search
all around the district had failed to re.
veal trace Of her whereabouts. The
gypsy band that had been camping in
the vicinity was suspected and fol.
lowed, but the n. sing child was not
found in their keeping.
"Stop-I must speak to you!" sud.
denly halted Wallace, pursuing a wood.
land path.
The speaker was the old Romany
dame whose part he had so kindly
taken. Her face was bruised, there
was the faint Of liquor on her breath.
but her voice was steady and full OF
meaning.
I'm trouble again, mother?" inquired
Wallace kindly.
Eyes, that sot of a husband of mine
has beaten me as usual. Listen, yOr
was good to me. do not forget. Yor
shall have reward"
"FOr what?" inquired Wallace.
"a child was stolen from the towr
yesterday. They offer a hundred dol.
lars reward for finding her. You shall
have the reward. It was my husband
who stole her. He has been hiding In
an old hut in the woods. The child is
there. He is lying stupid with drink
Come"
She soon made Wallace understand
the situation. Inside of an hour he was
headed villagewards. q terrified weep
ing child in his arms. His kindly care
however, and a sight of the nearing
lights of the town gradually lessenec
her distraction.
"What is your name, little one?" hs
asked.
"Luella."
The name thrilled him. That wa.
the name of his old-time love. He
had never forgotten her.
"And you know where you live-yor
can show met"
ooh, yes!" declared the little one
brightly. mamma will be so glad! ]
am all she has. Papa is dead" an6
she prattled on until they neared lit
tie cottage. A group was gathered a,
Its gate. visitors to the desolated home
A scream rang out as Wallace an
preached. A woman broke from tn,
throng and clasped the child in hel
arms in frantic delight.
"Oh, my pretty! Oh, my lost one
found-found!" she cried. and hel
neighkors gathered about Wallace. II,
was trembling all over as he told hi,
story. for the mother of the child wa,
the Luella of his early years.
She did not recognize him until HI
was forced to her presence by the Joy
full crowd. Then one glad, grateful
clasp of her hand. and Wallace wa,
once more under the spell of her rar,
beauty.
"Lost, found-the child" he unused
as he went on his way with a warm in
vitation to come again. Lost, found
love?"
He hoped it, and saw Luella mex,
day and many day thereafter, ant
he knew it one moonlight evenin,
when he asked her to bless his lonely
life.
"Lovedale," he said. "Ah, pretty a.
1t is, it is misnomer. To me it ha,
become q veritable lOyelandi"