Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-04-21
HER PROMISE.

in his big armchair. "Seems to me
Luce is a mighty long time getting that
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 a cool spring
gurgled up from the earth. "Well If
she amt talkin agin with that pauper,
Ang Rowland, +" growled the old man.
"Lucel Say, Luce, / want you" he
called.
"In be there in a minute, father
called back a comely girl Of eighteen.
who stood near the spring chatting with
n 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 q smile: ~
must go, Ang. Father wants me-"
ut 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 l can
stand it."
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
"Goodby, Ang," and turned toward the
house.
Old Marsden was IN 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 a time planning measures
by which his hoard of wealth might be
increased. Lucia took after her mother,
who had been "apowerful good woman"
30 people said.
Luce" said the old nan es 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 q likely girl like you talking
friendly with such trashl l won't have
it, and IL he don't steer clear I'll give
him something to remember me by"
and the OLD man shook his cane vigor-
ously.
81 do not SEQ why you should dislike
him 50" said Lucia. "He has had a hard
time getting along, but that isn't his
fault"
"His 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 "Old Rowland
was intended for the poorhoIse, and no
good comes Of fghtin 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
sech gals as you be, l 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
a kind Of fatherly affection for her, and
was even willing to spend money freely
that she might make a good appearance.
Whenever 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 a good investment,
for 1 have made a good many-yes, a
good many"
A few evenings after the event above
mentioned Lucia was walking in the
garden when she heard come 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 IL l am gone long" said
Lucia on approaching, "but we can
visit for a minute"
"Luce," said Angus, 81 have come 70
say goodby. Your father says for me
10 keep away from you because l am
poor and he doesn't want you to marry
q pauper. Well, 1 am going away for
FIVE years, and when l come back I'll
be rich-rich enough to suit your father"
he exclaimed excitedly, striking the
fence a heayy blow with his fist.
81 don't care about you being so rich"
said Lucia. 'Tn like you just as we'll
If you are poor, but don't stay away so
long" and she looked beseechingly into
his face. "You may have bad luck, you
know, and not earn very much money
after all, but I'll think just as much Of
you. Are you going farf' she asked,
looking down at the ground.
ITO California" said Angus, "and l
know just what / shall do when / get
there too. Father often told me of a
valley in California where all sorts Of
fruit viii grow almost without c~ultiva-
ton. Father wandered down there
when he was out among the mines, and
being used 70 a fruit country he knew
just what q wonderful place It was.
He'd have gone there himself If his sick
ness hadn't come on, but he told me
about il 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 ont by the
bright moonlight which broke through
the trees the colorado Of his hopes and
ambition. "That valley is mine" said
he, land / am going there and plant
trees"
"LucOl" called old Marsden from the
house, "where be your
'Here l am, father" Lucia replied.
"Well 1t seems 10 me hat you are a
mighty long time gone" cried the old
man, 'but come TO the house, for young
Hinton Is here and wants to SEQ YOU"
Lucia saw the troubled look that came
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