Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-03-18
HER PROMISE.

IL LIN lkOuuI0L s
Old Abner Marsden moved uneasily in
his big armchair. "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
gurgied up from the earth. "Well, if
she amt talkin agin with that pauper,
Ang Rowland" growled the old man.
'Luce! say, Luce, | want you" he
called.
'I'll be there in minute, father
called back comedy 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 smile: II
must go, Ang, Father wants me-"
cit 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 if 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 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
oe increased. Lucia took after her
mother, who had been "a powerful good
woman, so people said.
"Luce," said the old man as she ap-
pearcd at the door, II want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing lout, 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 the old man sho, ais cane vigor-
ously
81 do not see why you should dislike
him so" said Lucia. "He has had a
hard time getting along, but 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. ''Ol1 Rowland
was intended for the poorhouse, and no
good comes of fightin Providence. He
died without a 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
such 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 old
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 good appearance.
When he saw her dressed in some new
article of apparel he would mutter to
himself, 'It's all right, it will all come
back; | know good investment, for |
have made good many-yes, a good
many"
A fcw evenings after the event above
mentioned, Lucia was walking in the
garden when she heard some one tap
lightly at the gate, and in the moonlight
saw Angus Rowland. ''He wants to see
me, " she thought as she hurried through
the lilacs to the garden path. Father
will miss me If am gone long" said
Lucia, on approaching, "but we can
visit for a minute"
"Luce. said Angus, III have come to
say goodbye. Your father says for me
TO keep away from you 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 rxcitedly, striking the
fence heavy blow with his fist.
al don't care about you being so rich =
said Lucia I'm like YOU just as well II
you are poor, but don't stay away 30
long, aud she looked besccehlngly into
his face "You may have bad luck. you
know, aud not earn very much money
after all, but lll think Just as much %
you, Are YOU going farf' she asked.
looking down az the ground.
To California. aid Angus. "and !
know iust what shall DO when grt
There, too Father often tnlt me oi "a
ftllef Ia california whcre all sorts of
hut wlh grow almnaf without ealiIfa.
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