Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-08-08
HORSESHOE LUCK.

"Am ! too old to think of a second
marriageP" said Mrs. Blythe, looking
wistfully into the glittering sheet of
mirror that extended to the other side
of the room into an indefinite perspec-
tive Of onyx tables, stands of ferns.
japanese screens and India hangings.
acknowledgement why should one
be compelled to give up all the sweet
ness of life at siX-and-thirtyP Tn sure
] don't look day over thirty; and
Algy Vane must be that at leastm
Mrs. Blythe was avery pretty woman
not the bud. but the full-blown rose
"a plump, dimpled, peachy-cheeked
matron. who knew exactly how to
make the most of all her middle-aged
advantages.
She had married Major Mortlake
Blythe at seventeen. and he had left
her widow ut seven-and-twenty.
II shall never be such fool as to
marry again!" said Mrs. Blythe.
For the majo had by no means been
perfection. He had left her just
enough. by dint of strict economy. to
live upon, especially as her only child
had been taken TO bring M" by quiet
Quaker couple, the majors relatives.
And until now Mrs. Blythe had adhered
resolutelv to her decision.
But Algernon Vane was royalty
handsome fellow,and the pretty widow
was but human. and she had scrubbed
''RoSamond Vane," Mrs. Algernon
Vane," over and over again in her
botting book, and she had treasured
up flower he had worn in his button
hole, and she had correspondent with
him during the winter he had spent in
Bermuda, writing sprightly and anus
ing letters, with semi-tone of serious
ness underlying all their sparkling
gossip.
"He likes me little now" said the
widow. land I'm determined he shall
like me n good deal more. Tn tired
of this solitary life; I'm tired of count
ing every penny half dozen times be-
fore | spend it, Algv is Independents
man. With him do believe l could
be quite, quite happy. lie 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 shud-
dered ut the idea.
At this moment the door flew open,
and in burst Il tall, dusty, disheveled
young girl, some half head taller than
Mrs. Blythe herself, with the white
capped maid following helplessly be-
hind.
please, ma'am," said the maid, "she
wouldn't wait for me to take her card
up"
mamma, Tn Lyda!" cried the
oreathless apparition. Little Liddy,
mamma-don't You remember? Tell
that hateful girl to 60 away! A card
indeed! Am to send up cards to my
own motherp"
Mrs. Blythe stood appalled,, in the
soft yellow light streaming through the
China-silk curtains. This fair-haired,
sunburned young giantess. with the
peony cheeks and the big blue eyes. the
ill-ftting gloves and faded cambria
gown-could it be possible that this
was the ''little Liddy' of ten years agoP
Oh. If Mr.. Vane should see her!
The girl looked around like one who
views the entertainments of fairy
palace.
"Oh, mamma, how pretty you arer'
said she, land what a lovely rooml
Are you glad to see me, mamma, dar-
ling?'
"My dearest child" gasped the
widow, what has brought YOU here?"
Lydia clasped her hands; her counten-
ance fell.
Mamma" said she, 'I'm the most
miserable creature in the world-and |
want hundred dollarsm
Lydia! A hundred dollarsw
"And you must let me have itr'
vehemently went on Lydia. 1--WE
killed Uncle Joshua's prize colt! That
is, l didn't exactly do it myself; but |
was riding Pretty Jane around the
meadow, just for practice, aud | forgot
and left the bars down. and the colt
got out on the railroad track. and the
train came along, and-oh! l never
can look Uncle Joshua in the face again
unless have that hundred dollars to
pay him!
IL shall be able to earn plenty for
myself before long, mamma" she adj
ded, breathlessly. for | can ride bet
ter than the woman in pink tarlatan
and spangles who jumped through the
hoops at the circus. When the old
gypsy told my fortune last year, at the
county fair, she said horseshoe would
bring me luck some day; and / knew,
of course. what she meant. So I've
been practicing riding ever since, when.
ever | conld get away from Aunt Beck
and Uncle Joshua, and"
MRS. Dappleton Ames is in the draw.
ing-room, ma'am." said the white
capped maid, appearing with an oxy-
died silver card-receiver in her hand.
And Mrs. Blythe checked her daugh.
ter's condolences at once.
Lydia" cried she, I'm surprised al
you! A great girl like you scuftlinl
and romping around the country! &c
back to Shady Plains by the very mex
train, and try to behave more like 1
lady. Why, you must be fourteen al
leastw
Seventeen, mamma" confessed the
culprit. but aren't you going to Civ,
me the hundred dollarsP"
II .tcf1