Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-05-09
HORSESHOE LUCK.

"Am I too old to think Of a second
marriager' said Mrs. Blythe, looking
wistfully into the glittering sheet of mir
ror that extended at the other side of the
room into an indefinite perspective Of
onyx tables, stands of ferns, Japanese
screens and India hangings. "Six-and-
%tliirty-and why should one he compelled
to give up all the sweetness of life ut six
and-thirty? I'm sure | don't look a day
over thirty; and Algy Vano must BE- that
at least!'
Mrs. Blythe was a very pretty woman
not the bud, but the full blown rose
a plump. dimpled, peachy checked ma
iron. who knew exactly how to make the
most Of all her middle aged advantages.
She had married Maj. Mortlake Blythe
at II, and lie had left her n widow ut
seven-and.twenty.
~ shall never be such n fool as to
marry againl' said Mrs. Blythe.
For the major had by no mean been
perfection. He had left her just enough,
~ dint Of strict economy, to live upon.
especially as her only child had been
aLer to "bring up" by a quiet Quaker
couple. tho majors relatives. Aud until
now Mrs. Blythe had adhered resolutely
% her decision.
But Algernon Vnne was a royalty
handsome fellow, ana the pretty widow
WAS but human, and she had scrubbed
''Rosamond Vane." Mrs. Algernou
Vane," over and over again in her blot
ting book. and she had treasured up a
flower he had worn in his ~bGttonholc,
and she had corresponded with him dur
ing the winter lac had spent in Bermuda,
writing sprightly and amusing letters,
with n semi-tone OF seriousness under
lying all their sparkling gossip.
"He likes mo n little now" said the
widow, ''and I'm determined lie shall
like me n good deal more. I'm tired of
this solitary life; I'm tired of counting
every penny half u dozen times before
spend it. Algy is independently rich,
and he is my beau ideal Of 4 man. With
him / do believe I could he quite, quite
happy. He don't know about Lydia, but
Of course that would be no objection.
Uncle Joshua and Aunt Rebecca will
keep her. Dear me, dear me! she must
be growing TO be a big girl now and
Mrs. Blythe shuddered at the idea.
At this ms tho door few open,
and In burst a tall. dusty, disheyeled
Young girl. some half "A head taller than
Mrs. Blythe herself, with the white
capped maid following helplessly behind.
please, ma'am," said the maid, ''she
wouldn't wait for me to take her card
up"
Mamma. I'm Lydia!" cried the breath
less apparition. Little Liddy, mamma
don't you remember? Tell that hate
full girl to go away. A card, indeed.
Am l to send up cards 10 NY own mo.
ther:'
Mrs. Blythe stood appalled,, in the soft
yellow light streaming through the Chi
M silk curtains. This fair haired, sun.
burned young giantess. with the peony
cheeks and the big blue eyes, the i'll fit
ting gloves and faded cambria gown
could 1t be possible that this was tho
''little Liddy' of ten years agot Oh, il
Mr.. Vane should see her!
The girl looked around like n who
views, the entertainments Of n fairy pal
ace.
"Oh, mamma. how pretty you are
said she, land what a lovely roOmi Ar,
you glad 10 see me, mamma, darling?'
MY dearest child" gasped the widow
"what has brought you here?'
Lydia clasped her hands; her counte-
nance fell.
Mamma" said She, "Tm the MOI
miserable creature in the world-and
want IA hundred dollars!'
"Lydinl A hundred dollars!"
"And you must let me have it!y We
bemently went on Lydia. i've killed
Uncle Joshua's prize colt! That Is,
didn't exactly do it myselfi but l wa
riding Pretty Jane around the meadow
just for practice, and 1 forgot and lefI
tho bars down. and the colt got u OF
the railroad track, and the train CANT
along, and-oh | never can look Uncl'
JOSHUA in the face again, unless have
that hundred dollars to pay him!
Il shall he Rblo 70 earn plenty for my
self before long. mamma" she added
breathlessiy, "for en- ride better thar
the woman in pink tarIGttn and spanglel
who jumped through the hoops at tbs
circus When the old gypsy told nay
fortune last year, al the county fair, sh'
said a horseshoe would bring mo lucl
some day; and Iknew, of course, wha
she meant. So I've been praoticing rid
ing ever since, whenever l could &c
away from Aunt Beck and Uncle Joshua
and
Mrs. pappletnn Ames is In the draw
Ing room, una am, said the white cap
ped maid, appearing with an oxidize'
GlVer card receiver in Der hand.
And Mrs. Blythe checked her daugh
ter's condolences az n G
Lydia, cried she, elm surprised a
youl A rrea' sirl like you scufiing an'
romrirr Or 4 tire cOuntryl Go bacl
foE hs lhe VERY next train