Crawford avalanche., 1893-03-09
HER PROMISE.


Old Abner Marsden moved uneasily in
his big arm chair. 'Seems to me Luce
is mighty long time getting that
water" he muttered, as he rose and hob
bled 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 a cool spring
gurcled up from the earth. "Well. If
she amt talkin' agin with that pauper,
Ang Rowland" growled the old man.
''Luce! say, Luce, l want you" he
called.
"I'll Se there in q minute, father"
called back a comely girl of eighteen,
who stood near the spring chatting with
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 smile: II
must 90. Ang, Father wants me-"
'It seems to me, Luce" said Angus,
as he gave her the pail, THAT your
father always wants you when he sees
me around. He hates me for some rea-
son, but il it's all right with you, / can
stand it."
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
"Good-by, 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 meas
ures by which his hoard Of wealth might
be increased. Lucia took after her
mother, who had been "a powerful good
woman" so people said.
Luce" said the old man as she APP
peared at the door, II want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing lout, Ang Rowland. The
idea of a 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, I"
and the old man shook his cane vigor-
ously.
II do not see why you should dislike
him 500 said Lucia. ale has had a
hard time getting along, but that isn't
his fault"
sHis father was cut out to die in the
poorhouse," yelled the old man, ''and
why didn't he die there!"
|
worked hard and took care OF the old
folks"
Her father scowled. "Ol1 Rowland
was intended for the poorhouse, and nc
good comes of fightin' Providence. Ht
died without cent, and so will the
Young feller But that amt the point
there are plenty of fellers round here
, that has money, but there amt many
such gals as you be, reckon. Why
Luce. YOU have the choice of the town
and it's your solemn duty not to b,
rash.n The miserly features of the ole
5 man relaxed somewhat as he admired hi
a daughters comely face. He experiences
: a kind of fatherly affection for her, anC
was even willing to spend money freel
that she might make good appearance
When he saw her dressed in some nev
!, article of apparel he would mutter t
h himself, 'sIt's all right, it will all com
IS back; know a good investment, for
have made good many-ycs, goo'
many"
= A few evenings after the event abov
2 mentioned, Lucia was walking In tn
= garden when she heard some one to
! lightly at the gate, and in the moonligt
saw Angus Rowland. "He wants to 81
me. - she thought, as she hurried throug
): the lilacs to the garden path. "Fath,
N will miss me if am gone long," sal
ot Lucia. on approaching, "but we ca
ID visit for a minute"
"I.uce.n said Angus, 'I have come
saw good bye. Your father says for
to Keep away from you because u
poor, and he doesn't want you to mar
a pauper. Well, / am going away I,
five wears, and when come back I'll
'h rich-rich enough to suit your father
he exclaimed excitcdly, striking &
~ fence heavy blow with his fist.
81 don't Care about you being so rich
- said Lucia. 'Tll like you just as well
YOU are poor; but don't stay away
long" and she looked beseechlngly In
3 his face. "You may have bad luck, y
81 know. and not earn very much mon
az after all. but I'll think just as much
- YOU. Are you going far?" she aske
9 looking down at the ground.
~ "To California" said Angus, ''and
~ know lust what shall do when i {
4 there. too. Father often told me OF
valley in California where all sorts
= fruit will grow almost without culti'
l6 ton. Father wandered down the
IaM when he was out among the mines, q
5 being used to fruit country he KIN
IS lust what wonderful place it W
rs He'd have gone there himself If his si
% ness hadn't come on, but he told
% about it time and time again, and
ss,1 gave me this little map" and Howli
80 took an old torn paper from his .pocl
nh and carefully opening it, pointed out
"A the bright moonlight, which br
ssSsA through the trees, the Eldorado OF
hopes and ambition. THAT valley
80 mine.n said he, ''and am going II
"a and plant trees"
47's "Lucel" called old Marsden from
70 house, 'whcrc are your
SOY "Here / am, father" Lucia replied
s%1 "Well, Il seems to me that you
ia long time gone" cried the old n
.S "but come TO the house, for young
80 ton is here and wants to see you.
~ Lucia saw the troubled look that
. .So into Howlands face and hastily ,
say INJURED: s'Father wants me to marry !
3, az but won't: I'll marryyou. BE sure
~ -. ~fs>. n..I .Ion1f ofnu az lOnO "