The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-11-21


Years passed. squire Peek finally
the most Of his fortune had been
wasted in unwise specuIations. The
big house ON the hill was sold. and
mother and daughter moved into
small cottage Mt the other end of the
village. a year later Mrs.. Peek died
tof a broken heart. u was said), and
Lucinda was left alone in the worle.
She was now 20 years of age, and
though there was a look of settled
sadness on her countenance, she was
still the haDdsomest woman In the
place. and :, was rumored that she
had refused many fattering offers Of
marriage.
well. ten years rolled around. ari
those of us who had been young once
we're growing old. Lucinda among the
rest. The savings bank had failed
standstiIl. and Eden Center was in n
had way generally. Right in tie
midst of the stsgnation a stranger
sztIcnly appeared in town. He was
n middle-aged gentleman. with iron
gray hair and beard. and had the air
Of prosperous business man. He
engaged board ct the hotel. saying
he was from California. and was look
ing around for some quiet eastern
village in which to spend the summer.
told him ! thought he would find
den Center quie; enough. Just then.
ID he said. in n sort Of absent mind
way:
: Yes. IL does seem quieter than II
ed to-.
Why. when were you here be-
reT I asked. giving him a quick
bk. and vainiy trying to place him.
'-iie colored up and said he had
rcn thinking of something else
hen he spoke, and the matter was
fopp-d.
We'll. the first night he was there
sat around, listening to every
prd that was said by the villagers
bo dropped In. but taking no part
the conversation. After awhile the
Iwd began TO discuss the hank
uble. and one OF the party said:
&'Too bad about Lucinda Peek.
isn't IL? They say she lost every
cent she had by the savings bank
failure. and II Is only a question Of
time when she will have to give up
her cottage and go out to work for
a living
Before the sentence was fairly
ended. the stranger was standing Mt
the desk before me. with face white
n a sheet.
"'Por Gods sake, tell me quick!'
he gasped-'is Lucinda Peek aliye?'
Why, of cls-se she's alive said 7.
-'And her father and mother?' he
asked next.
They're both dead ] rrpii-d.
-'AHd she no longer lives in the big
house ON the hill-in her old homeg 2
he que STONED eagerly.
No said I; 'she j. now living In
snail cottage out near the
Excuse me for interrupiing.' he
broke IN. impatientIy. Mr. name !.
I:sndell. used to know Miss Peek
J mus see her at once. Have you
some one you can scad with me ic
shOU ne the way to her hoase?
u called In Joe. my man of al
work; a1d, by the way. Joe l. still ir
Jet him tell the rest Of the story
stepping TO She door opening into
the hOt-' storeroom, the landlor,
sung out:
Here. Hoe; come in and tell th,
ladies and gentlemen what happere,
the night you showed the stranger
from California the way to Mis-!
Peek's cottage
Well. began Joe. apoiogrtically
n he stepped into the room, Il reck
on ye1I all he disappointed, becaus.
there didn't anything happen wuti
mrntioniR' scarcely. In the frs
place. the gentleman didn't say /.
; word s.l 'ne way TO the cottage
, walssI: that's all; an I had to ruI
? with him. "a
; AN when we got to the gate. an
told him that was the place. h,
: went fyin' mp the walk an begaI
/ knockin' at the door as IL he wa
4 there on some mighty urgent bust
. ness i~k minute or 30, Miss Peel
|. opened TN door, an heard him say
D Lucinda. d{lt you know mey an
Z she held oa both hands an said
Why, it's " bry.' an the next min
n ute they weSl hangin' onto each 9th
q sr. laughin' w cryin' both at onei
D Ike pair OF ofties. an ] seen I ha,
4 no further bknsss there. so com
o away an leftFem; an that's all tber
= Nas to H."
% You have forgotten one importan
item in your story. Zoe, and that !
> the presrnt that Mr.. RandeT CAV
a yOu for showing him the way to tn
IS cottage" suggested the landlord
4 smiliEgly.
IL Oh yes" said Joe. ''ths gentlema
r. handed me a ten-doIIar gold piece TN
. next day. an when told him IL wa
!. too mush. lac said: NO, stree, yo
+. earned very cent of II, an more bs
a sides W conscience troubled m
.e considerably for taking ia. thougi
.r for n dap or so, but when I hear
,r that h. give the village dominic IS
10 for marryn' him an Lucinda, tha
..r,.. uf,hf .hnv.I him. ar. 49, a