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

the impression that they were not too
we'll OF as regards this worlds goods.
Since I was not too well OF. either,
this would not have troubled me, but
for that legacy Of $4,000 7 was sup
posed to have come in for. "Was that
the secret cause Of this sudden friend
liness2" I asked myself. But when 7
looked at Miily. and saw the frank
glance of her truthful, honest-iooking
eyes, ! felt ashamed Of myself; nor,
when / regarded the major, and noted
the open, manly look the fine old sol
der gave back to me, could I bring my
self to think Of him as q scheming old
tortune-hunter.
Such good friends did we three be-
come that fingered on in the place for
8 week. during which time I grew daily
more uncomfortable at the part / was
playing. At last / sought out Milly
one day, alone, and confessed the truth
to her.
u am not surprised" she said; u
thought you were not much like the
Charley I used to know. But am
sorry for you-soTTy to think your
cousin should have got that $4,000,
while you were not even SO much as
mentioned"
"Ahi" ! said, with a sigh, shat lie
Charley's auckland mine. It Is al-
ways the same-always has been, and
always viii be, I suppose"
1 was thinking what dared not say
that, If that $4,000 had but been
mine, I could have asked her to be mine,
too; whereas, now, with my poor pros
pects-weil. Of course, it was folly even
to dream Of such thing,
I watched her narrowly after that,
but could see no difference in her treat
ment Of me.
I had written to Charley, telling him
of his good fortune, and that l was 60
ing to stay on down here for a few days;
but beyond brief note expressing won
der at whatever attraction could see
there at that time Of the year, he had
said nothing and written no further;
not word Of thanks or Of reference to
his 5000 legacy.
Another week slipped by, and still
stayed on. At the end OF that time
was in such state Of mind that, one
day, finding myself alone with AIilly, l
blurted out my hopeless love Tor her,
and said should go away al once, for 1
felt that I could not possibly stay on
there any longer, Mily, always quiet
and self-possessed, remained silent
awhile, and then said, looking down:
II think you had better speak to
papa"
what" I rapturously exclaimed;
"do you really bid me hope, Miily2 Do
you really think there is u possibility
of your father" IstOpped and shook
my head. "Alas, moi" I said, "such a
thing could not happen to me. EtwouId
be Charley's luck, that-not mine"
"Well," said Milly composediy, they
say you never know your luck till you
try but if you are too faint-hearted to
try, why, Of course"
"Ill go off and find the major and
have it out at once, burst out.
And 1 saw him accordingly, and told
him the whole story, humbIing apollo
giving for daring TO ask for his daugh'
teg's hand, when, as I was bound to tell
him, was not Charley, but Jack WI
burn, and had no R5.OCJ legacy, and
no prospects in particular. and mo
luck!"
'H'm," said the major. "how is it
Master Charley comes in for al the
luck in this way|
81 don't know, sir" I answered, dole
fully. HE goes about more and makes
himself more liked, think, while -"
hesitated.
while you stick at home and work.
Is that it?" he asked.
WELL I returned, 81 Try my best.
You see, I have nothing else to rely on
or hope for-like Charley. It's his luck
and minel"
However" said the major, 81 have
been told you get your pictures hung,
and sell them, which is more than he
does. Is that luck, too?"
To this I made no reply. 1 could not
see its relevancy.
snow, look here, Jack Wiburn," the
major went on. 81 knew you were not
Charley Wiburn."Q looked up in sur
prise,) "Milly told me; and 1 have made
certain inquiries Of my own. and I have
something to tell you. The late Alex
ander Stephen Wiburn was q very old
and intimate friend Of mine, and had
long ago Get his heart upon Miliy' mar
Tying Charley" (hers I jumped up exc
Citsdly, but he waved his hand to me, as
g sign TO be quiet. "But.he was de-
tsrmined that, IL it came about at ell,
it should be spontaneous, and not
through any eompulsion or unworthy
motive. But in that viii You heard
read the other day there was something
you did not hear-it was mixed up in
another matter; but it comes to this:
That Il Milly married his nephew he
and she were TO have certain sum
between them to begin housekeeping.
/ have consulted Mr.. Parchly upon this
matter, and he agrees with me that, as
Charley's name is not expressly men.
toned, and IS he would not take the
trouble to come down himself, even to
tie funeral Of his poor old uncle, who