The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-02
TIE ROANOKE TIMES, THURSDAY. april 8. 1896

tho open, manly look tho flne old soldier
gave back TO me could bring myself to
think OF him as soheming old fortune
hunter.
Such good friends did we three become
that fingered on in tho place for u week,
during which time l daily grew more un-
comfortable mt tho part was playing. At
last L sought out Milly ono day alono and
confessed tho truth to her.
II am not surprised" she said. at
thought you were not much like the
Charley used to know. But am sorry
for you-sorry to think that your cousin
should have got that $4,000, while YOU
We're not ovcn so much rs mentioned"
"AhW l said, with q sigh, "that Is
Charley's luck-and mine. 1t Is always
the same-always has been and always
will be, suppose"
was thinking what I dared not say
that If that $4,000 had but been mine I
would have asked her to be mine. too
well, of course, 1t was folly even to dream
of such thing.
watched her narrowly after that, but
could see no difference in her treatment of
me.
had written to Charley telling him of
his good fortune, and was going to stay
on down here for u few days, but beyond n
brief note expressing wonder at whatever
attraction 1 could sec there at TINT time
of the year no had said nothing and writ
ten no further, not a word of thanks or
of reference to his G5, 900 legacy.
Another week went by, and 1 still staid
on. AT the end of that timo was In such
state of mind that ono day, finding my
self alone with Milly, blurted out nv
hopeless lovo for hcr and said 1 should 90
away ut once, for felt that I could not
possibly stay on there any logger Milly.
always quiet and self possessed, remained
silent awhile and then said, looking down:
II think you had better speak to papa"
What! l rapturously exclaimed. do
you really bid me hope, Millyp Do you
really think there is possibility of your
father l stopped and shook my head.
ALAS, no" l said. "Such q thing could
not happen TO me. 1t would DO Charley's
luck, tbat-not mine"
WELL" said Milly composedly, "thcy
say you never know your luck till you try,
but if you arc too faint hearted to try, why,
of COURSE
IN go off and find the major and have
1t out at once" blurted out.
And 1 saw him accordingly and told
him the whole story, humbly apologizing
for daring to ask for his daughters hand,
when, rs was bound to tell him, was
not Charley, but Jack Wiburn, and had
no 20, 900 legacy and no prospects in par
ticular and mo luckr
m" said the major. Glow is it
Master Charley comes in for oil the luck
in this way?"
II don't know, SIR answered dole
fully. HE goes about more and makes
himself more liked, think, while u
hesitated.
while you stick at homo and work. Is
that its'' lie said.
We'll" 1 returned, ~ try my best.
You see, have nothing else to rely on
or hope for-like Charley It's his luck
and mine!'
However said the major, ~ have
been told you get your pictures hung and
sell them, which is more than he does. Is
that luck too:''
To this l made no reply. Icouldn't SEQ
its relevancy.
Now, look here, Mr.. Jack Wiburn,"
the major went on. Il know you were
not Charley Wiburn-" looked up In sur
prise. "Milly told me, and l have made
certain inquiries of my own, and 1 have
something to tell you. The late Alexan-
der Stephen Wiburn was very old and
intimate friend of mine and had long ago
set his heart upon Milly's marrying
Charley" Here 1 jumped up excitedly,
but he waved his hand to me as sign to
be quiet. But no was determined that If ii
came about at all 1t should be spontnnc-
Gus and not through any compusion or
unworthy motive. But in that will you
heard read the other day there WIS some
thing you did not hear 1t was mixed up
in another matter, but it comes to this
that ii Milly marry his nephew he and
she were to have certain sum between
them 70 commence housekeeping with.
have consulted Mr.. Parchly upon this
matter and he agrees with me that as
Charley's namc Is not expressly mention
ed and as he would not take the trouble
to come down himself, even to the funeral
of his poor uncle, who had been so kindly
disposed to him, if Milly likes you we'll
enough to have you, she will be Just as
much entitled to the sum set aside rs If
Master Charley had married her, and am
sure that shall not object TO the substitu-
ton. In the will the only condition is
that Milly shall marry his nephew, and
of course you are as much his nephew as
Charley is Therefore leave it with Mil
ly; if she says Yes, say tho same and
you will both have something to set up
housekeeping with
No need to tell tho JOY with which I
heard this unexpected news or the hearth
ness with which thanked the kind heart.
ed major.
'Ill go off and tell Milly at once"
said, but had not gone far when he call
ed me back
''You don't ask how much you will
have to start the housekeeping upon" no
said.
What matter, sir, since you think it
enough?" l answered.
HIM, but you may as we'll know. You
may not think it enough
How much Is it, then?" asked.
Fifty thousand pounds" said tho ma
Tor