The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-01-16

tne uundppy DIluee.
Almira was thinking bitterly of what
her father had said when she an
nounced that her engagement to Noah
Wade had been broken. He had stared
mcredulously at her.
why, Miry, honey, l was only jok-
ing! Now. you go along and make it
up with Noah this minute. There'll
be bridges standing long after we
poor mortals are through trying to be
happy in this world"
But Almira could not make it up
with Noah Wade. He did. not give
her 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 a binding crash that
seemed to enwrap the whole village of
Harborhead in yellow light; then all
sound ceased for an instant, and out
NJ 10 rl-
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 Portside 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
came another sound, mingled with the
roar of thunder, the clash of bells and
the shouts of men. 1t was the high,
sweet clang of the Portside fire bell,
and 1t was followed by the rumble of
the little engine across the bridge. 1t
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, his 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 Harborhead
worked side by side, and differences
were forgotten in the single aim that
prompted ALL
Many times that night Almira's heart
failed within her as she watched NOAH
risk his life within the flaming build.
ings. Once he brought out little child
from the tenements over the stores
and the tenderness with which he bore
the child and placed 1t In its mothers
arms brought tears to the girls sad
eyes.
And then came the. moment when
their eyes met across the flames. The
sudden leap Of recognition In Noah's
glance was answered by Almira's ap
pealing eyes, and then the smoke huns
between them once more.
The weeks that followed after tn,
fire were not soon forgotten. Differ
ences were patched up and mended 81
that they would not again break. Port
side and Harborhead people mingle,
together as they had before tho 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
~ announced their willingness tina
the bridge should be painted white Il
view Of the prompt and neighborl
services Of the Portside flremen. Por'
side people agreed to abide by a choic
by vote.
When the vote was counted 1t wa
found that all Harborhead had vote
for a white painted bridge, while Port
side had courteously voted for rec
and the vote was tied.
Then the question was solved by
suggestion to paint the bridge greer
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. II you walk back you ma
meet her." she said.
Noah walked back slowly, watchin
for Almira's slender form and drea,
ing to see 1t beside that Of some otl
er admirer. At last she came, ste
ping quickly, with now and then
glance at the rising full moon.
Halfway across she met Noah. ar
they both stopped Noah guided b,
gently to the railing where they cou
look along the bright moonlit pat
that wrinkled the water.
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