The Glenwood post., 1917-01-20

was touch Of rOmanticism in his
woodland wanderings, however, that
fed his idealistic fancy. This was the
discovery of a gypsy band, whose
nomadic life he found of interest and
worthy of study, and his chivalry and
compassion were exercised in behalf of
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
distance away from Lovedale. 1t
was dusk the following evening and he
was wearied and footsore as he came
within sight of the little town again.
He was not aware Of it, but the vii
lage had been stirred to its depths
since his departure. A little child.
miss of four, had disappeared. Search
all around the district had failed to re-
veal a trace of her whereabouts. The
gypsy band that had been camping in
the vicinity was suspected and fol-
lowed, but the missing child was not
found in their keeping.
"Stop-I must speak to you'll" sud
denly halted Wallace, pursuing wood
land path.
The speaker was the old Romany
dame whose part he had so kindly
taken. Her face was bruised, there
was the taint of liquor on her breath.
but her voice was steady and full of
meaning.
"In trouble again, mother?" inquired
Wallace kindly.
Eyes, that sot of husband of mine
has beaten me as usual. Listen, you
was good to me. do not forget. You
shall have a reward"
"For what?" inquired Wallace.
"a child was stolen from the town
yesterday. They offer hundred dol
lars reward for finding her. You shall
have the reward. 1t 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"
the situation. Inside Of an hour he was
headed villagewards, terrified weep
ing child in his arms. His kindly care,
however, and a sight of the nearing
lights of the town gradually lessened
her distraction.
"What is your name, little one?" he
asked.
"Luella."
The name thrilled him. That was
the name of his old-time love. He
had never forgotten her.
"And you know where you live-you
can show me?"
"Oh. yes!" declared the little one
brightly. Mamma will be so glad! ]
am all she has. Papa is dead" and
she prattled on until they neared a lit
tie cottage. A group was gathered at
its gate, visitors to the desolated home
A scream rang out as Wallace ap-
preached. A woman broke from the
throng and clasped the child in her
arms in frantic delight.
"Oh, my pretty! Oh, my lost oSe,
found-found! !" she cried, and her
neighbors gathered about Wallace. He
was trembling all over as he told his
story, for the mother of the child was
the Luella of his early years.
She did not recognize him until he
was forced to her presence by the Joy
full crowd. Then one glad, grateful
clasp of her hand, and Wallace was
once more under the spell of her rare
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 next
day and many day thereafter, and
he knew it one moonlight evening
when he asked her to bless his lonely
life.
"Lovedale," he said. "Ah, pretty as
1t Is. 1t is misnomer. To me it has
become veritable loveland"