The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-23

two children while they ate Lassfs
sat beside them in gracious forebear.
ance as they talked and laughed. Both
were surprised when the clock struck
one. Quickly they entered the cutter
and drove back to the schOOlhouse,
where silence again greeted them
I'VE needn't have hurried so after
ALL" protested he.
Some of the pupils may come yet, "
answered she.
He brought In more wood for her,
and with advice about keeping up the
fire well, went away.
The afternoon dragged. No one came.
She finished the odd jobs which oceu-
pied her during the morning. and time
hung heavily on her hands. The storm.
which had abated at noon. increased
in fury. The air seemed full of snow,
and smooth unbroken expanses Of
prairie stretched out around her for
miles and miles.
She had no assurance that Mr.. Per
kins would come for her at four
o'ciock-he never did. And Alden had
not said anything about coming back.
Her spirits which q little while ago
were gay and carefree, slumped to zero
point.
How shall get home? How can I
ever 60 alone through this Storm
She did not wish to desert her post
before four O'Clock, and during the
last hour stood at the window watch
Ing each way Of the road for a passing
team tina. might help her out of her
difficulty. But none came by. Above
the noise Of the storm, she could
sometimes catch bowls of coyotes.
Tears gathered In her eyes at the des-
olation Of It all.
Il can't stay here all night" her
quivering lips whispered. "Oh, why
didn't ask Mr.. Alden to take me
back to the Perkinses at noon, even
II / lost my position By 20 doingl
Surely they would have forgiven me
for missing half a day-when none Of
the children came"
She was nervously putting on her
wraps, when q knock sounded at the
door. She had heard no sound of ap-
preaching sleigh-bells, and for q mo-
ment stood In terror. What If It were
some tramp seeking shelter7 Then,
summOning her courage, she went to
the door and found Duncan Alden
standing there.
"Oh, I'm 80 glad-Pm so glad to see
someone" she cried, her face pale,
and her brown eyes under the tumbled
curtis pitifully glad.
"Why-you poor little girl" His
laugh was shaky. This must have
been a horrible day for you. I'm
afraid we folks who're used to 1t
haven't realized what a prairie bliz-
card must mean to you"
"Oh, | usually get along well enough
but today"
This is the limit. I telephoned to
Mr.. Perkins to see IL he was coming
for you, but he said he wouldn't think
OF taking his horses out In this bliz-
card. Some people are more consid-
crate Of their horses than anything
else, you know. And I'm afraid you'll
put me in the same class when / tell
you that / couldn't drive my horse
tonight. He cast shoe going home
this noon, and for some reason La ter
ribly lame. I've been working over
him-that's why I'm late. I kept hop
Ing he could make 1t; but he simply
can't go. However, I'm here with q
snow shovel"
But can we walk over to the Per.
hnses" she faltered.
mo. but ! phoned to Mrs. Tolan;
they're the people who live In the
cabin just beyond me, you know, and |
she wants you to stay there tonight.
It's three-quarters of a mile from
here, but with snow shovel and a
strong right arm, / think we can
make It."
So they started forth. The snow had
trifted over the path made by the
'leighs earlier in the day; and the
shovel was necessarily brought into
'ervtce the greater part of the way.
The late afternoon wind increased In
ury, and Amy was obliged to hold her
huff against her face to keep 1t from
reezing. Nevertheless, despite their
'xertions, they found time for merry
alb.
At last they saw shining out before
hem the welcoming light Of the To-
ans cabin. Before ascending the little
Ill on which 1t stood, they paused to
atch their breath.
I'm mighty glad the storm came to-
ay and gave me chance to know
on" declared the man. I've thought
on were a city product who wouldn't
are for pioneer life and people-that's
rhy I've avoided you. But you've
shown yourself mighty
lucky today" Something in his
cen eyes made her own drop shyly as
e added: "Five months Of your
tay's been wasted for me, but-rm
Ding to try and make up for lost
ime."
The wind howled, and around them
tretched the desolate, snow-covered
ruirie; but it might have been
for all the two young peo-
lie needed. for their eyes were bright