The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-23
Our Daily Short Stories
HIS ONE ROMANCE.
BY HON. w. H. BUcD HINR1cHsEN.
Copyright. 1901. by Authors syndicate,

Are you not afraid to drive across
the prairies alone?" he remarked as
they continued their journey.
IN, no; look there" and she point
ed to light gun resting in a couple of
hooks arranged for its reception on the
dashboard of the wagon.
He had not noticed it. you can
shoot, them" he remarked.
Certainly"
He gave her his card. She told him
her fathers name and that he owned
farm at the edge of Greenwood,
where they lived
He informed her that in the course
OF business he had also acquired a
farm from a man named Holden. and
that 1t was also near Greenwood. His
visit was for the purpose of examin-
ing this farm
''Oh, the old Holden farm! That
joins fathers place" She looked inter
ested for the first time. 'It is a good
piece of land, but the improvements
are poor"
Il hope to better them"
You are not going to live there?"
NO, but / want to put the farm in
such shape that / can get a good ten
ant for it''
You had better come and stop with
us" she said as they approached the
struggling town. 1.-The hotel is not very
good and we have plenty of ROOM Fa-
ther will be glad to have you"
He looked surprised at this young
lady who gave the invitation so freely
"Oh, it's all right" she said, smiling,
this is not Chicago"
So he accepted and received a hearty
welcome from Mr.. and Mrs. Wallace
That afternoon Lucy Wallace drove
him over his farm of six hundred acres
or more, and with great tact and bust
ness ability which he could not but ad-
mire, she pointed out it's advantages
and defects, and on her recommended
tion he called on the principal contrac-
tor of the town. and made arrange
ments for the erection, of new house
and barn with other suitable buildings.
The contractor, Tom Clifford, quite
young man, seemed to defer greatly
to Lucy's judgment, and her plans
for a house were readily accepted by
Mr.. Wentworth
For ten days, Mr.. Wentworth re-
manned guest of the Wallaces, dur
ing which time Lucy was his chief adj
wiser. He found her we'll educated,
modest and lady-like, and in spite of
her independent ways, he soon saw that
she would grace any society.
You have made my visit very
pleasant one" he told her when he
took his leave.
"Then you will come again soon, I
hope?'
You may be sure of that" he re-
Piled
He returned to Chicago, but he was
not happy. He missed Lucy's company.
After a months mental struggle he
gave up the fight against inclination
and resolved to marry her. Il love the
I'LL h. 4 IL.
l go back to inspect the Improvements
/ shall propose before 1 leave there"
In the meantime the work on his
farm was going forward. Lucy rode
over every day. to see how the work
was getting along. Tom Clifford, the
contractor, was always there when she
called. Each received an occasional let
ter from Mr. Wentworth.
do you know, Tom" said she one
day, II believe I made an impression
on Mr.. Wentworth"
"Of course, you did,
But 1 mean
Tom looked troubled.
Eyes, l believe 1 ought to have told
him of our engagement"
But he must be nearly so years old,
at least"
THAT is true, Tom, but he thinks
himself a young man still"
Il am sorry for him, dear, If he has
fallen in love with you"
so am l, and l had better let him
know in some way at once"
The buildings would be ready in
month and Mr.. wentworth wrote that
he would be there at that time to re-
ceive them.
Lucy replied to his letter and asked
him to come a week earlier so as to be
present at her wedding. Tom Clifford,
YOUR contractor, is the unfortunate
man." she wrote. "Of course you sus-
pected our engagement. Now do come
to the wedding-we all want you so
much.
When Mr.. Wentworth read this letter
he felt like the earth had fallen from
beneath him. This was new side to
the question. 1t had not occurred to
him that Lucy might be engaged. He
had believed it only necessary to pro-
pose and be accepted. He left his Of
fee for that day and went to his
bachelor home. He read the letter
many times. He was Inundated and
angry, but finally better feeling
ruled him. He wrote a pleasant reply
with proper congratulations, promising
to be present at the wedding. fE
The day he was expected to arrive
at Greenwood Lucy received through
the express Office a large envelope con-
tanning some papers. The first of these
was a letter from Mr.. Wentworth, Aft
err several lines devoted to wishes for
her happiness. it said: II am sorry
cannot be present at your marriage. L
start for Europe tomorrow on import
ant business and may be gone year.
Inciosed. / send you a bridal gilt.
= Please accept it without demur."
The Enclosure was deed to Lucy
Wallace for the Greenwood farm.