The Portland daily press., 1893-01-07
HER PROMISE.

water" he muttered as he rose and
hobbled to the end Of the cottage porch.
he put aside the vines that screened the
view and looked down toward the lower
end of the garden, where cool spring
gurgled up from the earth. ."Wen. if
she amt talzin agin with that pauper,
Ang Howland,'' growled the old man.
ssLucel Say, Luce, I want you'll" he
called.
'I'll be there in minute, father"
called back comely girl of eighteen.
who stood near the spring chatting with
a plainly dressed youth of about the
same age She reached for the pail of
water which Angus Rowland still held
in his hand and said, with a smile: 81
must go, Ang. Father wants me-"
sit seems to me, Luce" said Angus
as he gave her the pail, shat your
father always wants you when he sees
me around. He hates me for some rea-
son, but if it's all right with you can
stand it,"
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
"Goodby, Ang," and turned toward the
house.
Old Marsden was an extremely litter
ate man, but in business ventures he had
always been successful, and now, though
a confirmed invalid, his head was full OF
schemes and devices, and he used to sit
for hours at time planning measures
by which his hoard of wealth might be
increased. Lucia took after her mother,
who had been "apowerful good woman"
SO people said.
'Luce," said the old man as she ap-
peared at the door, 81 want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing Loaf, Ang Rowland. The
idea of likely girl like you talking
friendly with such trash! won't have
it, and if he don't steer clear I'll give
him something to remember me by"
and tho old man shook his cane vigOr-
ously.
81 do not see why you should dislike
him SO" said Lucia. "He has had hard
time getting along, tut that isn't his
fault"
Ellis father was cut out to die in the
poorhouse," yelled the old man, "and
why didn't he die there?'
Because" Lucie answered, Gang
worked hard and took care of the old
folks"
Her father scowled. sold Rowland
was intended for the poorhouse, and no
good comes of fightin Providence. He
died without cent, and so will the
young Teller. But that amt the point;
there are plenty of fellers round here
that has money, but there amt many
sech gals as you be. reckon. Why,
Luce, you have the choice of the town,
and it's your solemn duty not to be
rash.' The misery features of the sd
man relaxed somewhat as he admired his
daughters comely face. He experienced
kind of fatherly affection for her, and
was even willing to spend money freely
that she might MAKE d good appearance.
Whenever he saw her dressed in some
new article of apparel he would mutter
to himself, cts ell light; it will all
come back; | know Is good Investment,
for have made good many-yes, a
good many"
4 few evenings after the event above
mentioned Lucia was walking in tbs
garden when she heard some QUE tap
lightly at the gate, and in the moonlight
saw Angus How land. "He wants to see
me- she thought as she hurried through
the hlacs to the garden path "lfather
will miss me if l am gone long, said
Lucia on approaching, 'but we can
visit for q minute"
'.Luce,'' said Angus, II have come to
say goo,.by. Your father says for me
to keep away from yoE because am
poor and he doesn't want you to marry
a pauper. Well, ! am going away for
five years, and when come back I'll
be rich--rich enough to suit your father"
he exclaimed excitedly. striking the
fence heavy blow with his fist.
'I dent care about yoti being so rich,"
said Lucia. .'I'll like you just as well
if you are poor, but dosl't stay away SO
long and she looked baseechingly into
his face. "You may have bad luck, you
know, and not earn very much money
after I'll, but I'll think iuss as much Of
you. Are you going farE' she asked,
lookir;, down at the ground.
etc, California" said Angus, "and !
know just what I shall do when l get
there :oo Father often told me OF a
valley in California where all sorts OF
fruit Will grow almost without cultiva-
ton. Father wandered down there
wher. he was out among the mines, and
being used to g. fruit country he knew
Just what wonderful place it was.
He'd have gone there himself if his SILK
ness hadn't come on, but he told me
about it time and again, and he gave me
this little map" and Rowland took an
old torn paper from his pocket, and care
fully opening it pointed out by the
bright moonlight which broke through
the trees the colorado Of his hopes aud
ambition. That valley is mine" said
he, land ! am going there and plals
trees
'.Lucer' called old Marsden from tbs
house, where be you:''
Here am, father Lucia replied.
Well, it seems TO me that you are &