The Washington bee., 1895-10-05
HORSESHOE LUCK,

fully into the glittcrtng sheet Of mirror
that extended to the other side of the
room into an fndt finite perspective of
onyx tables, stands of ferns, japanese
screens and India lfangings "Six and
thirty-and why should one be compelled
to give up all the sweetness of life at six
and thirty? I'm sure 1 don't look a day
over thirty; and Algy Vane must be that
at leastv
Mrs. Blythe was very pretty woman
not the bud, but the full-blown rose
a plump. dimpled, peachy-cheeked ma
tron, who knows exactly how to make
the most Of all her middle-aged advan-
tages.
She had married Major Mortlake
Blythe at seventeen, and he had left her
a widow at seven and twenty.
Il shall never be such a fool as to
marry again" said Mrs. Blythe.
For the Major had by no means been
perfection. He had left her just enough,
by dint Of strict economy, to live upon,
especially as her only child had been
taken to bring up" by a quiet Quaker
couple, the Majors relatives And until
now Mrs. Blythe had adhered resolutely
to her decision.
handsome fellow. and the pretty widow
was but human. and she had scribbled
"Rosamond Vane," Mrs. Algernon
Vane." over and over again in her blot
ting book, and she had treasured up
flower he had worn in his button-hole,
and she had corresponded with him dur
ing the winter he had spent in Bermuda,
writing sprightly and amusing letters,
with semi-tone of seriousness underly-
ing all their sparkling gossip.
He likes me little now," said the
widow, land I'm determined he shall
like me good deal more. I'm tired Of
this solitary life; I'm tired Of counting
every penny half dozen times before 1
spend it. Algy is Independently rich,
and he's my beau ideal of man. With
him do believe I could be quite, quite
happy. He doesn't know about Lydia;
but Of course that would be no objection.
Uncle Joshua and Aunt Rebecca will
keep her. Dear me, dear me! she must
be growing to be a big girl now" and
Mrs. Blythe shuddered at the idea.
At this moment the door flew open and
in burst a tall, dusty, disheveled young
girl, some half a head taller than Mrs.
Blythe herself, with the white-capped
maid following helplessly behind.
please, ma am" said the maid, "she
wouldn't wait for me to take her card
up"
Mamma. I'm Lydia" cried the
breathless apparition. Little Liddy.
mamma-don't you remember? Tell
that hateful girl to go away! A card,
indeed! Am I to send up cards to my
own mother?'
Mrs. Blythe stood appalled, in the soft
yellow light streaming through the China
silk curtains. This fair-haired, sunburn-
ed young gIantess, with peony cheeks
and the big blue eyes, the ill-fitting
gloves and faded cambria gown-could it
be possible that this was the little Lid
dy' Of ten years ago? Oh, If Mr.. vane
should see her!
The girl looked around like one who
views the enchantment-of fairy palace.
20 mamma, now pretty you are!" said
she. land what a lovely room! Are you
glad to see me, mamma, darling?"
my dearest child gasped the widow
what has brought you here?''
Lydia clasped her hands; her counte-
nance fell.
Mamma" said she, I'm the most
miserable creature in the world-and /
want hundred dollars!''
Lydia! A hundred dollars"
And you must let me have iti' vehe-
mently went on Lydia. i've killed Un-
Gle Joshua's prize colt! That is, didn't
exactly do 1t myself. but I was riding
Pretty Jane around the meadow, Just
for practice, and I forgot and left the
bars down, and the train came along,
and-oh! I never can look Uncle Joshua
in the face again unless have that hum
dred dollars to pay him. 1 shall be able
to earn plenty for myself before long,
mamma" she added, brea thlessly, for
can ride better than the woman in pink
tarlatan and spangles who jumped
through the hoops at the circus. When
the old gypsy told my fortune last year,
at the county fair. she said horseshoe
would bring me luck some day; and
knew, of course, what she meant. So
I've been practicing riding ever since.
whenever I could get away from Aunt
Beck and Uncle Joshua, and"
MRS. Dappleton Ames Is in the draw
ing room, ma am" said the VIII. e-carped
maid, appearing with an oxydized silver
cardreceiver in her hand.
And Mrs. Blythe checked her daugh-
ter's condolences at once
LYDIA" cried she, I'm surprised at
you! A great girl like yol scuff1ing and
around the country! Go back
to Shady Plains by the very next train,
and try to behave more like a lady. Why,
you must be fourteen at least!'
Seventeen, mamma" confessed the
culprit. But aren't you going to give
me the hundred dollars?"
81 hav, not got hundred cents!" i'm
patiently cried Mrs. Blythe. And if 1
had I wouldn't give it to you, you
ill-behaved, romping- Yes,
Matilda, tell Mrs Dappleton Ames that 1
shall be down directly. and bring some
tea and buns for-for Miss Blythe before
the next train goes"
But before Mrs. Dappleton Ames had
finished her call, and Mrs. Blythe came
back, the bird had flown. Lydia, deeply
and recentful had promptly re-
turned to Shady Plains.
THAT old gypsy must have been a
numbug, after ALL" thought the despair
ng girl. "Oh, what shall say to Uncle
Joshua? Why was mamma 50 cold and
cruel to me? Oh, dear, l am very un-
happy"
SHADY Plainsp shouted the conductor.
And as Lydia crept sorrowfully out Of
he train, something bright, like a fallen
1rop of dew, scintillated on the floor at
1er feet She stopped to pick it up. 1t
vas diamond scarfpin in the shape Of