Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1890-02-27

We was spending the day at the VITA.
ers'a. and she got the lucky bone at
dsnnur, and who should walk right under
II but your Uncle Jeems, that she'd never
&c. eyes on befors Then abe whispered
to NE that her lot was fixed, and she'd
have TO marry hIm; and she did"
II dare say she'd have married him all
the same II therc'd been no lucky bone
10 the case" laughed Aunt Ellen. "But
you eau try your fortune In the same way,
Robert, and see what It has Tor you"
Flossle eagerly held out her prize, and
he tonk one end In bis strong apgcrs,
while she held on to tho other with 10th
hands.
A stru ggle ensued, seeming on her part
- II for lie aud death, but the bone
snapped 10 Roberts fingers.
II am sorry, Flos.ie"--he commenced;
but she interrupted him.
swell, Pm glad cause I'm not old
enough yet 70 get married, and you are.
Now you'll put 1t right over the psrlor
door, and you'll be sure to marry the
fret one that steps under It,"
He laughed 81 the prophesy, and care
lessly slipped the homely charm into bis
vest pocket " Harriet aud Dick Lowsry
came up the step.. Then he forgot about
1t until an hour later.
The party wss breaking up then.
Dick Lowrsy, who was to drive Harriet
home, had gone out to SEQ about his
buggy, and Harriet was UP stairs with
Lucy, having = few moments confidential
chat before parting.
Robert Elis and Oracle were alono In
the parlor. He drew out his watch, and
with 1t came the lucky-bons.
''Ah. have forgotten my promise to
1<xsa Ia. , 49, Il. IL.
the charm above the door.
al wonder how that foolish notion
came to be 90 popularf' said Oracle, with
. little, half-scornful smile
"Probably from tho resemblance in
shape to horseshoe, which tho upersti.
tious place over the house dour for luck, +"
he replied.
And just then light footsteps were
heard coming down the stairs aud Az
preaching the parlor door.
The eyes Of both turned tbi.her, aud
Robert did not ses how his companion'u
cheek changed color, aud she seemed to
BE- unconsciously holding her breath.
Lucy passed the door, and Harriet fol-
lowed, paused and seemed about to enter
when Aunt E'len's voice was heard call
Ing to her, and she passed on.
'SrhereI you have just misssd your
fateW said Oracle, laughing.
Perhaps 1t Il only postponed" he an
swersd, lightly. But you will excuse
me White step out and deliver q mes-
ave the squire long ride In the morn
Ing"
The buggy was coming round to the
gate, and Robert stood on the porch and
waited for II.
Involuntariiy his eyes turned to the
paFlor window, through which, himself
invisible, be could see Oracle seated u
he had left her.
How pretty she was, with her eyes
bright and her cheeks flushed with q
changing color.
He saw her rise and stand looking for
An instant, hesitating, and looking hall
fearfully around.
Of what was she Afraid
But while he watched she glided
swiftly across the room to the door al
most on tip-toe, looked up, and deliber
atsly placed hsrself-exsctiy under the
lucky bone.
At first Robert could hardly believe bill
own eyes. But then, with shock Of
joy, came the sudden impulse to take
advantage of this fortunate moment-tc
surprise her before she could escape
him.
With a step as light and noiseless q
her own he stood before her. face to face
"Graciel" he said, In . low voice. tina
trembled In it, earnestnsss, 'do 70,
know where you are standingi Do you
know that 1t 10 you whom fate has Son
to me? Tell me, dear, that may CLAIM
yout'
What could she say or dol He had
seized both her hands and held them
firmly, while his eyes sought hers, and
with crimson blushes and sudden gusl
OF tears she yielded to her fate.
II was scarcely . moment In which
they stood thus; but that brief time
sufiiced to secure the heart happiness OF
each.
Harriet and Dick, a. they entered IT,
hall, could both see enough to convince
them that their own hopes were at an
end; ane perhaps this was the beginning
of . sympathetic tie between them, for
their marriage took place about tho time
of Roberts wedding.
| II always said, remarked Cousin Re
beccA, az she knitted o toilet tidy for q
wedding present. 81 always did hold
and maintain that there's virtue 10 lucky
bones. A body can't tell exactly how it
comes about; but this 10 the third match
that I've known to BIZ brought on by .
lucky bone. The wonder Ii that the
f.,Ib Anntt mora fraNuc1tg