Iuka reporter., 1893-04-06

station, and purchased whatever they
needed in the way of supplies for the
lunch basket. 1t was simply marvellous
to innocent, unsuspecting Millie, how
far the money went, and how many neces.
sites, to say nothing of luxuries in the
way Of fruit, ETC., the dimes and quarters
handed to him for this purpose pur.
chased
Mile and her mother we're gong to
San Diego, aud thou yh Mr.. Wakeman
had started with his uncle for Los Ange-
les, upon hearing their plans he came to
sudden conclusion that San Diego's
equabl. climate would be the more de.
siraple for the cure of his uncles com.
plant. This decision would have been
carried into effect but for the fact that
Mr.. Wakeman, Sr., became SO very i'll
that his nephew was obliged to stop with
him at San Bernardino. Reluctantly he
babe Mille and her mother good-by,
promising to come on to San Diego just
| as soon as "Uncle Phil" was able to con-
tinue the journey.
1t was several weeks before Richard
| w uhCiuhu was BtAm W AOAOW nAASs
Marks and her daughter to San Diego,
when he called upon them at the pretty
seaside cottage where they had found
comfortable lodgings.
Mrs. Marks presently entered the room,
and he scarcely recognized the bright
little woman who came to welcome him
with such rosy aush on her oval face.
''It's just like meetin' dear old
FRIEND" she exclaimed, gladly, ''an'
Millie'll be so happy to see you"
Millie came into the room at that mo-
ment with the happiness of meeting him
shining in her truthful eyes. SAc had
never appeared so sweet aud altogether
lovable before, and Richard Wakeman
secretly acknowledged that this girl with
Objectionable relatives was the fairest
woman he had ever known.
He informed them that his uncle had
died at San Bernandino, and that he was
now utterly alone in the world.
'sWe shall be returning home soon,"
Millie said, with the shadow of regret in
has quite recovered"
s"But she will not remain we'll If she
returns to that dreadful place." Mr..
Wakeman affirmed. decidedly.
II know it, and this lovely house is
for sale at such very low price just
now," Millie began. "If father could
only sell the Missouri farm to good ad
vantage he could make payment on
this, and we could be $3.50 happy here.
But it isn't possible" she ad led, cheer
fully. ''NIissouri property can't be dis
posed of at any price now, aud we must
return in about three weeks"
Mr.. Wakeman said that he would be
very sorry to have them go, and after
asking permission to call often while
they remained, he drew his visit to an
abrupt conclusion.
That afternoon he Yves cloaeted for
some time with lawyear in the city,
who, as soon as the conference was
ended made hasty preparations for a
journey to certain dilapidated village
in Missouri.
About three weeks later, as Mrs.
Marks and her daughter Mile were rest
ing from the sorrowful task of packing
their trunk preparatory to taking leave
of the pretty cottage they had learned to
love so dearly, sitting on the rose en-.
powered porch they discovered familiar
form coming rapidly towards them, and
both women sprang to their feet in joy
GUS expectancy.
sFatherp' exclaimed Millie.
ooh, Abnerl" cried the little woman.
And the next instant his great, strong
arms wele about them both.
"Talk about luckl" he exclaimed as
soon as the kissing process was over.
"I've had sech streak O. luck ez you
never hearn tell on afore. A likely sort
O. chap came to our place the fust o. last
week an fell desprit in love with my
farm the minute he clapped eyes onto it.
An would you believe it, Marthy, he
offered me fifteen hundred dollars hard
cash, right down in my fist, fer the hull
| turnout
ooh, fatherl" cried lIillie, tremulous
with happiness, "this pretty cottage can
be bought for that, furniture and ALL"
"Ev'ry last one O. the relatives on
both sides called on him, an offered
their farms fer sale," continued Mr..
Marks, not needing Miles interruption,
"but he reckoned as how one Missouri
farm was enough fer him, an amt sor-
~ nuter," sly twinkle creeping into
his eyes. Eyes, Mlllie, giil, we'll buy
this house and stay in this country where
nav found her purity red cheeks agin. =
That all happened more than two years
ago, and though Millie has been Mrs.
Wakeman for a short, joyous twelve
months, she has never learned the truth
concerning the sale of her fathers unde.
sirable Missouri farm. Yankee Blade.
Largest Fruit Farm in the World.
| Howell County. Missouri will soor