The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-26


strength I'd stick to the old digcin
on the home lot. I'd bore and shove.
till | got results If / went cleal
through to China! Oh, dear! When
| see the dear old folks just pinine
away for the old home life in the East,
go almost wild at my helplessness. .
! There was little garden sass'
patch behind the cabin and Leonie
attended to this. She was hoeine
some sweet corn rows next morning
when a 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?"
In an instant Leonie surmised that
this must be the prospective victim of
the fellows who had sailed the mine.
The stranger was young man, we'll
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, II you are look.
ing for an investment in the property
you name" said Leonie, after a brief
moment of reflection.
1ndeed?" smiled the young man.
1T would be gratefully received, for
l 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, land l don't think
those men will sell me the wenatchee
mine. / am open for any promising
gold prospect, though" he said.
The salters meyer 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 a 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 l was just resting.
! was an old pal of Ben Dorsey and
was terribly shocked last evening
when I heard he was dead. I 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 living
under the soil and not far down.
either. ! told Dorsey that the first
time he showed me the croppings.s
Then the old miner went on his way.
1t 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 adj |
vised her that he was authorized by |
his uncle to offer $4,000 for the ten
acres.
1T can't be truel" cried Leonie. the |
tears of JOY running down her bonnie |
cheeks. "oh! what will the old folks /
say?"
1t was the happiest day Of her life
hat which saw her homesick adopted
parents back in their native town. set
led in a beautiful home. with suff-
,ient reserve means to live on in COM /
'ort, even luxury. for the rest of their
ives.
Then Leonie came into her own. She
lad roughed it out West like the
'heery. courageous girl that she was.
She fell into the ways of fashion and
'ociety just as adaptably under the
lew conditions.
Shelby Roberts, after the lapse of a
month, on his way to his uncle,
topped on at the pretty village.
In wonder he stared at the trans
ormed Leonie. II she hsa interested
i'm in her frontier homespun garb
nd rude surroundings, she fascinated
i'm now, the lady complete, as she
yer had been.
He missed his train for home for
our days in succession. Then he
vent to Leonie boldly.
Miss Bureh,' he said in his frank.
arrest way, I've got good news for
ny uncle about that nine you dis
overed. I'd like to add the trowning
oy to that fortunate eircumni ancaqe
You mean?r began Eeoni6 iuquIsl:
lively.
By telling him thai n engaged
the sweetest girl ever met.
And Leonie. alwezs straight fqrwarsi