Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-04-30
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE KANSAS APRIL 80 B9-TwELt PAGES
CHARLEY wIBURN's LUCK.

but, somehow. | scarcely seem to be
long to the family ut all. We had n,
end Of relations, and he was Il &c
favorite with all, even some he hat
never seen, for they would die and leav,
him legacies. He was constantly get
ting some little "windfall" oil THU
bind, till at length Charley Wiburn'
luck" became general catchwot
among us-a synonym for all that wa.
lucky and fortunate.
One morning OF breakfast,-wc were
artists and shared the same rooms ant
studio-he received black-edged let
ter. which, upon opening and reading
he cast down with d discontinued look.
"Ano'her funeral to go to" he grum
bed. 'and here are my pictures unfln
ished and next week is sending-in day!'
"Who is it now" asked. another
legacy, suppose, eh?"
"very likely" he returned, inditfer-
cntly-he was 80 used to these things
be scarcely took any notice of them now
ITS Uncle Alexander Stephen. Did you
know hlm~
shook my head. "Ilave heard oil
him; never saw him." said.
II hardly knew him myself" Charley
explained-"at least, not since was q
boy. It's 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 spell-coufr't you
go down for me?"
what, In your name?" exclaimed.
Yes. why not? It's years since |
was among any Of the set. This letter
is from q Mr.. Parchly, the solicitor to
the will, suppose he doesn't know me.
You are Jack Wlburn-it's only differ.
cnce Of Christian name, and It's all
In the family, you know"
To cut the matter short, had to
consent-as generally did where
Charley was concerned.
| took the lawyers letter, az a sort
Of credential, and set out, grulnbling Il
good deal ut what | considered Chdrley's
cheek In thus making use of me. II
] had finished up my work before he
had it was only because | had worked
at 1t 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 OIL on a lugrbrious
mission like this; and Charley would,
no doubt, have good legacy, too, out
OF II.
II don't suppose it's much" he said
to me. "Perhaps q hundred or two
hardly worth going down for. you
know!"
So | had to go-with no legacy in
view at all, small or Target
However, as have said, set out for
the place-it was Devonshire-snd in
due course ! arrived at the little town,
and put up OF hotel for the night.
The funeral was fixed for the following
day, and on inquiry learned that the
house | had TO 20 to WINS only a short
distance away.
The next day, therefore, saw 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" l did not rnply, so
he concluded that l was Charley Wi
burn, without having said anything
one way or the other.
But, when, after the funeral, the will
came to be read, I found Charley was
down for $4,000. That made me think
II harder lines than ever that 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
felt cold and miserable. At the end
Of the reading Of the will was maxi
ing my way out to get back TO the hotel,
when some one said: "Mr. Wilburn.
l believer" | looked around and saw
stiff, military-looking old bog re-
garding me with o smile through his
spectacles. "Charley," said he, don't
you remember me?" | thought to my
self: "Oh, now I'm in for it. Here's
a nice mess-all through trying to serve
Charley. Just my bad luck" This
feeling did not grow less when he said;
"Milly wants to speak to you. She
has been looking at you, and says she
can hardly recognize you for her old
playfellow." Ono WONDER" thought
ut would be strange If she did.")
She came up and shook hands, and
the moment looked at her simply fell
helpless over head and ears in love
then and there. She seemed to be the
lovelest, 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 would say nothing
about NY not being "Charley," let the
consequences be what they might,
Don't you remember your little
playmate, Milly?" said she, with
blush and an enhancing look Of her
beautiful eyes. swell, it's not so sur
prising, for | should never have known
you, either. II Mr.. Parchly had not
pointed you out to me-"
Before exactly realized what was