The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-25

her that her disclaimer was entirely
moment suspect her Of so unfeminine
proceeding. The moment the herders
saw the blunder they had committed
they skunk away, leaving Madge stand
ing on the veranda. Tucker sitting on
his horse below.
"Those fellows have spoiled every
thing" he said.
Their motives were good" was the
reply.
Nevertheless they have put bar
rier between you and me that cannot
be removed
mo barrier was required"
II LETT you because l had been
pledged to another before l met you.
have returned free from that pledge.
and all might have been well had these
men not interfered."
With this he turned his horses head
and rode away without looking back.
Going to his ranch, he bethought him
self what to do. Should he sell out
and go home? No; he had been
placed In an unenviable position, and
he must live it down among those who
had condemned him.
He turned his attention to his ranch.
devoting himself to it exclusively.
Neighboring ranchmen. hearing of the
outrage that had been put upon him,
went to his ranch house and welcomed
him back. When he met any Of the
herders who had interfered between
him and Madge Hardesty the herder
apologized for the mistake that had
sought him out for the purpose. No
one but himself knew that he had re-
turned from the east to ask Madge to
be his wife. Nevertheless the prevail
ing sentiment among those about him
was that he had been badly treated.
And they, being a people Of extremes.
were as prone to favor him as they
had been before to condemn him un-
heard.
The next winter was hard one
An early blizzard occasloned the loss
Of great many animals. 1t came sud
distance from shelter, and, unprotect-
ed, they were frozen by hundreds. At
the first sign of danger Tucker sum-
moned his herders for the purpose Of
getting his animals under shelter. But
Madge was in his mind. He knew that
she had few assistants and would be
liable to a severe loss. Sending his
men out to drive in his stock. he rode
toward Madge's ranch.
Reaching her house. he learned that
she had ridden forth with but two
herders. all there were in her employ.
to save her property. Following the
tracks In the snow over the bleak,
rolling ground-he could see nothing
distant through the dense flakes-he at
last reached a point where he heard
voices Riding on he presently came
upon n man driving flock of sheep to
shelter
"Where's your mistress?" asked
Tucker
"Over there" replied the man, point
Ing, and Tucker, following the tracks,
another flock Of sheep. Tucker re-
peated the question as to Madge's
whereabouts and was told that she
had gone of after some stray ewes
and lambs. Fixing his eyes upon the
tracks, Tucker started anew.
Meanwhile the mercury had been
rapidly sinking and now stood far be-
low zero, while the wind was blow
ing gale. Troubled as to Madges
safety, Tucker hurried on. He could
not see fifty yards ahead Of him for
the snow. but the tracks were an in
fallible guide
Suddenly he came upon Madges
horse standing shivering in the biz
zard. fuckers heart sank within him.
He believed Madge was near and fear
upon heap of something covered
with snow. Throwing himself from
his horse, he brushed the white cover
ing from the pile and came upon
Madge and half a dozen lambs all ly-
Ing In heap. Most OF the lambs were
tioZch luuSc W us dSltep DtSlue
them.
Tucker Grasped her and shaking her,
raised her She opened her eyes. He
had taken the precaution to bring
flask with him and poured liquor into
her mouth Then. forcing her to walk
the few steps to his horse. he placed
her in the saddle, wrapped his over
coat about her for additional protec-
ton against the wind and started for
the ranch house. But he had not gone
far before she showed signs of drowsi-
ness, and. climbing up behind her, he
rode In that fashion, both supporting
her and guiding the horse.
The snow was by this time deep. and
the tracks had been obliterated Tuck
er had no guide except the contour of
the country. Fortunately he struck a
creek. and this gave him his direction
The whirling flakes were confusing,
but he pushed on. and at last, seeing
through the snow barn that he knew
was near the ranch house, he cried for |
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