Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-03-21
THE LUCKY-B BONE.
uY 8. A. WEISS.

pluch1nS INC neadS oil the tall field daisies,
and apparently paying small attention to
the chat of his companion, Miss Harriet
BEDFORD albeit she was the acknowledged
belle of Broad Oaks.
He knew that in the gossip of the
neighborhood he and Harriet had long
since been allotted to each other as u
equitable MATCH" and it was only few
months past that he had come TO seriously
consider the situation, and tried hard to
persuade himself into warmer feeling
for the handsome, clever, and confident
girl, whose liking for himself was sufli-
GENTLY manifest to be tlattcring to his
vanity, had he been possessed of any. -
The attempt, however, was suddenly
cut short by the discovery that he had,
without an effort and almost unknown to
himself, fallen i'll love with Oracle King,
The saucy, coqucttish and altogether
charming maiden who had come to spend
the summer with his Aunt Ellen, on the
farm adjoining his own.
Then Robert hud felt conviction that
his fate was already fixed for him, and
from that time had done his best to in
gratiate himself i'll Gracic's favor.
But he was quiet and rather shy
young man, with but little confidence in
his own ability OF bearing off the prize
for which others besides himself were
striving.
And she was such flirt! How could
be trust her when he saw how she "car-
ried on" with Dick Lowrcy, whom lie
knew that she did not much like2 or how
hope to succeed where rich Squire Viii
liss handsome and dashing son had met
with small favor?
Still he was constantly in Gracic's So
ciety; and there were times when somt-
thing i'll her look and tone, or in the
blush with which she greeted him, would
stir i'll his heart Il wild hope and almost
conviction that she really cared for him.
Of course she knew that he loved her;
for, though he had never had the courage
to tell her so i'll SO many words, he could
see it ut times in n certain consciousness
which he could not but recognize.
And yet she gave him no encourage
mcnt, aud was often capricious and sar-
castle, and even cold toward him, so
that now Robert felt rs though he could
give half oi his estate to know whether
she did really care for him.
1t WIS to Gracie's gay voice and light
laughter, and not to Harrict's, that he
was now listening, rs they came floating
across the gardcn-hcdge, and presently
be came in sight of her, as, with upliftcd
arm and airy pose, she strovc to catch II
gorgeous butterfly, while Dick Lowrey,
with his straw hat, was making awkward
attempts to assist her.
In her transparent pink dress and fiut-
tering ribbons, and with her tlcecy gold
Ell curls waving beneath the brim of her
light garden-hat, she reminded Robert
Ellis OF the little porcelain Watcau figures
which he had seen in the city store win
aows-ony that her face had in it so
much more of character and expression.
"Oh: don't hurt him. she cried, as
Dick made Il sudden swoop with the
nat az only want to look mt him awhile,
md :hcn let him go. There. 1 have
him at last!''
Harriet King laughed, and said in a
lone which Robert did not quite like
GLOW characteristic that is of Gracic
TO catch him and let him go. And she
looks just like n butterfly herself. won.
der ii she really has Il hearth
Gracic's next words seemed an answer
20 this question
Poor little thing! how his wings
trcmbe. Don't be afraid, my little
beauty. l would not hurt a HAIR Of your
nead-I mean IL feather of your downy
wing--for the world. There, fly away
and enjoy your little life while you
may!"
And with a light, soft motion of her
hand, she waited the insect into the
air.
do you treat ;nen rs you do butter
dies!' Inquired Robert, rs he stood be-
= side her.
''Howl" with az expression of limo
Cent inquiry.
''Why, make captives of them, amnsc
yourself with them for awhile, and then
send them off US yoa did that poor in
sect"
This one came tluLtering around me.
II men and butterflies hold themselves
iloof, l don't trouble myself to catch
them"
What did she mean2 for her check
flushed slightly, and she gave queer
iittle toss OF hear head.
Harriet glanced sharply Mt her, and IL
flush arose to her check also. II was
clear that, for some reason, these two
girls mad no affection for each other.
.Dicl; led Harriet aside to look ut
Uncle Ambrosc's beehive.
Oracle stood on the garden walk,
slowly plucking the petals from a grow
ing rose.
care you going TO the picnic next
Thursday!" she asked, looking up at
Robert with half-shy. appealing look,
as if i'll apology for her late sharp speech
al have not thought about it. Shall
sou go?".
~ don't know. They say it will be
pleasant"
Should he ask her TO 80 with him?
But why should he, VIXEN she would no
doubt prefer Dick Lowrey's more agrcea-
bic and entertaining society,"
He did not wish to force her into an