The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-04-24
WIBURN'S LUCK.

favorite with ali, even soms he had
/ never seen, for they would die aud leave
him legaeies. he was constantly get
ting some little "wlndfaII" Of this
lind, till at length Charley Wiburns
luck" became a general catchword
among us-a synonym for all that was
lucky and fortunate.
One morning ct breakfast-wc were
artists and shared the same rooms and
studio-he received q black-edged let
ter, which, upon opening and reading,
he cast down with a Disseminated look.
Another funeral to 60 to-" he grum-
bled, land here are my pictures unfn-
ished and next week is sending-In dayi'
'Who is it now?" asked. Another
legacy, I suppose, eh?'
Every likely" ne returned, lndifer-
entiy-be was SC used to these things
be scarcely took any notice Of them now.
TITS Uncle Alexander Stephen. Did you
know him2"
I shook my head. "Have heard of
him; never saw him." I said.
II hardly knew him myself" Charley
explained-"at least, not since was
boy. It's a rare bother, this, coming
just now. Such long journey into the
country. say, Jack, you have done
your pictures and sent them in and have
nothing to do for a spelI-couldn't you
go down for me2"
What, in your name?'' / exclaimed.
eyes, why not? It's years since
was among any Of the set. THIS letter
is from Mr.. Parchly, the solicitor to
the viii, I suppose; he dOesn't know me.
You are Jack Wiburn-it's only differ
ence Of Christian name, and it's all
in the family, you know"
To cut the matter short, I had to
consent-as generally did where
Charley was concerned.
I took tbs lawyers letter, az q sort
Of credential, and set out, grumbling
good deal at what I considered Chariey'a
cheek" in thus making use of me. If
] had finished up my work before he
had it was only because I had worked
at it more constantly, and now, instead
Of reaping the advantage in the shape
Of few days rest, he made it an ex-
cuse for sending me of on a lugrbrious
mission like this; and Charley would,
no doubt, have good legacy, too, out
Of 1t.
81 don't suppose it's much" he said
to me. Perhaps a hundred or two
hardly worth going down for, you
mOw!"
So I had to go-With no legacy in
view at all, small OF Target
However, as I have said, I set out for
the place-it was DevOnshire-and in
due course arrived at the little town,
and put up at a hotel for the night.
The funeral was fixed for the following
day, and on inquiry learned that the
house I had to go to was only a short
distance away.
The next day, therefore, SOW me
among the assembled guests. found
out Mr.. Parchly and silently showed
him his own letter. "Ah," said he,
"you are Mr.. Wiburn. Very good.
Glad to see you" I did not reply, so
he concluded that I was Charley Wi
burn, without having said anything
one way OF the other.
But, when, after the funeral, the will
came to be read, I found Charley was
down for 5000. That made me think
1t harder lines than ever that I should
have had to come down in his place.
The weather was atrociOusly cold; the
March winds strong and clustering,
with showers Of sleet and snow, and I
felt cold and miserable. At the end
Of the reading Of the will 7 was max
ing my way out to get back to the hotel,
when some one said: "Mr. Wilburn,
I believer" looked around and saw
stiff, military-loOling old boy re-
garding me with g smile through his
sPectacles. Charley said he, don't
you remember me?" I thought TO my
self; ooh, now I'm in for IT. Here's
a nice meES-all through trying toserye
Charley. Just my bad luck" This
feeling did not grow less when he said:
"Ailly wants to speak to you. She
has been looking at you, and says she
can hardly recognize you for her old
playfellOw," (''No wonder" I thought.
1t would be strange If she did.")
She came up and shook hands, and
the moment I looked at her I simply fell
helpless over head and ears In love
then and there. She seemed to DO the
loveliest, most adorable creature I
had ever seen. A sudden resolve came
into my mind. Rather than run the
risk Of losing the chance now had Of
speaking to her I would say nothing
about MY not being Charley" let the
consequences be what they might.
"Don't you remember your Httlo
playmate. Milly?" said she, with s
blush and an enhancing look Of her
bssutifui eyes. "Well, it's not 50 sur
prising, tOF I should never hsye known
you, either, Il lfr. Parchly had not
pointed you out to ne"
Before exactly realized what vas
doing I Was whisked OF 70 Maj. Rain
fields houses / found the name %
1giily's father to bs-to dine, calling st
she hotel Tor my evsning Ftogs" on the
way.
found the majors houss 5 neat
dfI;ef-i0oIring little nlsce IN She ont