The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-28


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
ricr between you and me that cannot
be removed"
NO barrier was required.
Il left you because had been
pledged to another before | met yau
have returned free from that Pledge
and all might have been well lad thos'
men not interfered.''
With this he turned his horse head
and rode away without loCk.n. L:s X
Going to his ranch. he bethau.ht i'm
self what To do. Should he sell oct
and 20 home: No. he had been
placed in an unenyiablc position. ana
he must live il down among those who
had condemned him.
He turned his attention To- his ranch
devoting himself to il exclusively.
Neighboring ranchmen. hearing Of the
outrage that had been put upon him.
went TO his ranch house and welcome.
him back. When he met any Of tic
hertlers who had intcrfcrcl between
him and Madgc IIardesty the lerlcr
apologized for the mistake that had
been made, and in some eases they
sought him dut for the purpose. No
one but himself knew that he had rr-
turned from the east Ia ask Mad % e.
be his wife Nevertheless the prevail
ing sentiment among those about him
was that he had been badly treated
And they, being people Of extremes
were as prone 10 favor him as they
had been before to condemn him I'm
heard.
The next winter was hard one.
An early blizzard occasioned the loss
of a great many animals. 1t came sud
denly and caught the stock grazing at
distance from shelter, and. unprotect-
ed they were frozen by hundreds. At
the first sign of danger Tucker sum-
moned his hcrders 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 Il 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 point where he heard
voices Riding on, he presently came
upon II man driving a flock Of sheep to
shelter.
"WhereS your mistress?" asked
/ Tucker
over there" replied the man. point
ing, and Tucker. following the tracks,
soon came upon the other herder with
another flock of sheep. Tucker re
heated the question as to Madge's
wherca bouts and was told that she
had gone off after some stray ewes
and lambs. Fixing his eyes upon the
tracks, Tucker started anew.
Meanwhile the mercury had been
rapidly sinking aud now stood far be
low zero. while the wind was blow
ing gale Troubled as to Madge'
safety Tucker hurried on. He could
not see fifty yards ahead OF him for
the snow, hut the tracks were an in
fallible guide.
Suddenly he came upon Madge's
horse standing shiyering in the biz
zard. fuckers heart sank within him
He believed Madge was near and fear
ed the worst. Not far distant he came
upon a heap of something covered
with snow. Throwing himself from
his horse, he brushed the white cover
ing from the pile and came upon
Madgc and half dozen lambs all ly
ing in n heap Most of the lambs Were
frozen stiff Madee was asleep besid,
them.
TIA aer erasped her aud, shaking her
raised her. She opened her eyes. lii
had taken the preeaution to bring
flask with him and poured liquor int
her mouth Then. forcing her TO wall
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 TO
the ranch house. But lie had not gon
far before she showed signs of drowsi
! ness. and. climbing up behind her, II
+ rode i'm that fashion. both supporting
her and guiding the horse.
g The snow was by this time deep, am
Q the tracks had been ohliterated. Tuck
:. err had no guide except the contour o
/ the country Fortunately he struck
c creek. and this gave him his direction
t The whirling flakes We're confusing
) but he pushed ON, and at last, seein
a through the snow barn that he kneN
d was near the ranch house. he cried fo
: hahn In nuot hpr mompnt n rpScu