Nevada County picayune., 1891-09-10
HORSESHOE LUCK.

Am too old to think of second marriage:" said Mrs. Blythe, look ing wistfully into the glittering sheet of mirror 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- thirty-and why should one be compelled to give up all the sweetness of life at siX-and- thirty? I'm sure l don't look day over thirty; and Algy Vane must be that at least."
 Mrs. Blythe was very pretty wo- man-not the bud, but the full blown rose-a plump, dimpled, peachy checked matron, who knew exactly how to make the most of all her middle-aged advantages.
 She had married Mai. Mortlake Blythe at F, and he had left her q widow at seyen-aud-twenty.
 Il shall never be such a fool as to marry again." said Mrs. Blythe.
 For the major 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 up by quiet Quaker couple, the major : relatives. And until now Mrs. Blythe had adhered resolutely to her decision.
 But Algeron Nane was a royalty handsome fellow, and the pretty widow was but human, and she had scribblcd Rosamond Nanc, " Mrs. Algeron Nane,' over and over again in her plotting book, and she had treasured up a flower he had worn in his buttonhole, and she had cores bonded with him during the winter he had spent in Bermuda, writing sprightly and amusing letters, with a scmi-tOne of seriousness underly- ing all their sparkling gossip.
 He likes me a little now" said the widow, "and Pm determined he shall like me a good deal more Pm tired of this solitary life; I'm tired of counting every penny half dog en times before spending it. Algy is independently rich, and he is my beau ideal of a man, With him l do believe could be quite, quite hap pv. He don't know much about Lydia, but of course that would be no objection. Uncle Joshua and Aunt Rcbeeca will keep her. Dear me, dear me, she must be growing to be big girl now" and Mrs. Blythe shuddered at the idea.
 At this moment the door flew open, and in burst a tall, dusty, dishevelod young girl, some half head taller than Mrs, Blythe herself, with the white capped maid following help lcssly behind.
 "Plcasc, ma am, said the maid she wouldn't wait for me take her card up."
 Mamma, I'm Lydia'' cried the breathless apparition. "Little Lid dy, mamma-don't you remember Tell that hateful girl to go away \ card, iudeedl Am to send up a card to my own mother;"
 Mrs, Blythe stood appalled,, in the soft yellow light streaming through the China silk curtains. This fail haired, sun-burned young glantessr with the pcOny cheeks and the ole blue eyes, the iIl-ltting gloves and faded cambric gown-could it be possible that this was the "little Lid, dy" of ten years ago? Oh, if MT Vanc should see her
 The girl looked around like one views the entertainments of fairy 1 palace.
 "Oh, mamma, how pretty you areu' said she, "and what a lovely room! Are you glad to see me mamma, darhng:"
 My dearest child," gasped the widow, "what has brought you here "
 Lydia clasped her hands her conn tenance fell,
 Mamma" said she, "lm tho mosi miserable creature in the worl' and I want a hundred dollars " "Lydia! A hundred dollars v And you must let me have itp