The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-01

her father had said when she an
nounced that her engagement to Noah
Wade had been broken. He had stared
incredulously at her.
why, Miry. honey. was only jok-
ingl Now. you go along and make IT
up with Noah this minute. Theren
be bridges standing long after We
poor mortals are through trying to be
happy I'm this world"
But Almira could not make II up
with Noah Wade. He did not give
her a chance. He went away from
Portside and found work elsewhere.
and she had not seen him through the
long summer Now she was thinking
of him and OF her foolish excuse for
giving him up.
A loud rumble of thunder sent the
pedestrians on the bridge scurrying
home, but Almira fingered, watching
the lightning leap from cloud to cloud
In that ominous black mountain In the
northwest, listening to the crackle and
volley of thunder, barking to the sibi-
liant hiss of the high tide among the
bridge timbers.
Just as she turned her steps home
ward there came binding crash that
seemed to enwrap the whole village Of
Harborhead in yellow light; then all
sound ceased for an instant, and out
Of the murky darkness there sprang a
bright fame and another and another.
The lightning had struck In Harbor-
head
Almira hurried toward home as the
wild clamor of the church bells rang
out. If the Portslde people refused to
bring out their fire apparatus to the
rescue of Harborhead the closely pop
ulated little village was doomed. II
was known that Portsiders were very
bitter against the people over the
bridge.
Just as she reached the gate there
roar of thunder, the clash of bells and
the shouts Of men. 1t was the high
sweet clang of the Portside fire bell,
and it was followed by the rumble OF
the little engine across the bridge. II
1
dashed past Almira's gate, dragged by
a score of strong, willing hands. The
hook and ladder truck came in its
wake. and there, sitting high on the
/ seat, steering the truck, was Noah
Wade, bis face tense and set In the
! glare Of the fire.
The devastating storm died away
while the valiant men fought the
flames that licked greedily at the
frame store buildings and threatened
many nearby home with destruction
Portside men and men Of Harborheat
worked side by side, and differences
were forgotten in the single aim thai
prompted all.
Many times that night Almira's hear
failed within her as she watched Noal
risk his life within the flaming build
ings. Once he brought out little chile
from the tenements over the stores
and the tenderness with which he Dor,
the child and placed 1t in its mother,
arms brought tears to the girls sa,
eyes.
And then came the moment whel
their eyes met across the flames. TIL,
sudden leap Of recognition in Noah
glance was answered by Almira's ap
pealing eyes, and then the smoke hun,
between them once more.
The weeks that followed after tn
fire were not soon forgotten. Differ
ences were patched up and mended s
that they would not again break. Port
side and Harborhead people mingle
together as they had before the day
of the bridge trouble There wer
church festivals and entertainment
that were enjoyed by everybody, an
over all was the feeling Of satisfaction
that the bridge trouble was at an end.
The Harborhead people had grateful
ly announced their willingness tina
the bridge should be painted white /
| view Of the prompt and neighbour
services of the Portside firemen. Port
, side people agreed to abide by choic
! by vote.
When the vote was counted it wa
| found that all Harborhead had vote
| hOl "a w hitC Iulhtcu DIluSt, Willie VI
, side had courteously voted for re,
, and the vote was tied.
Then the question was solved by
suggestion to paint the bridge greel
and it was done, and so peace reigne
at last, and there was much passin
to and fro.
At last Noah came over to Harbo
, head and stopped at Almira's gat
Mrs. Turner greeted him pleasantly.
"Almira went over the bridge awhi
|, ago, Noah. If you walk back you ma
meet her." she said.
Noah walked back slowly, watchiI
for Almira's slender form and drea
ing to see 1t beside that Of some OF
er admirer. At last she came, ste
ping quickly, with now and then
glance at the rising full moon.
Halfway across she met Noah, al
they both stopped. Noah guided h
: gently to the railing where they cou
; look along the bright moonlit pa
that wrinkled the water.
+ 30 l,,,tv -