The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-09
The Luck Of ''LuIl. -
TFrom N. Il Van and Exnress.1

one end man of about thirty-five was
sitting with a young and pretty girl
His eye roamed over the brilliant scene,
and a half smile played about his
mouth
Lucky, lucky grip he murmured.
His companion looked up at him in
quiringly. There was a slight spot Of
color on her cheek.
Austin Drysdale indicated the huge
room with a slight movement of his
hand
had, not for the asking, bur for just con-
senting to accept it. A title, immense
wealth. as husband an arniable man of
middle age and irreprOachaDle charac-
ter. Wonderful"
The flush deepened on the girls face,
and she turned her head away
What nonsense you talk Austin;
she remarked
He laughed.
Being your cousin, I'm privieged-
Besides, I've always made a point OF pc
ing frank with you. So let US discuss the
Earl. Here" he ratified on, we nave
most useful member of the aristocracy-
sober Industrious and given to thlnklnB
seriously. He has drifted on to middle
age without having fallen n loVe-tae
despair of all titled mothers with mar
riaGeable daughters At length ne seeS
you, Miss Beryl Heathcote, delightful
young creature, and straightWay deter
mines to make up for lost time. And To-
night it Will be settled, my dear N
absolutely certain he VIII propose To-
night-I'n never wrong in these matters
and tomorrow you will be referred Lo
1 in every boudoir as the most designing
! young person in all London In otner
words, you viii have succeeded Where
! they failed"
/ The girl was looking at the edge Of her
4 fan thoughtfully.
Il don't think I have tried she said
.sTi fsll-- YOU are more lucky than you
/ deserve to be. The Earl viii be a model
/ husband, and, continuing to be frank IS
a marvellous prize in the matrlnoniai
Are you going to talk nonsense all
the evening, Austin2'' she remarked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
TT was mere cousinly exuberance OF
4 spirits at your good fortune he
/ paused. do you know he added,
I glancing at her uuizzically, II rather
! thought You We're a little interested IN
Did youq"S she said calmly. Her
hands were lingering the tassel Of her
ives" he continued. But when he
went off to the war. and you didn't seem
/ to mind we decided we were wrong
/ He paused for a moment, but the sHi
said nothing. ANY way" he went on,
its just as we'll we were, since ne
done for now. poor old chap!'
She looked up quickly.
sDone for?'' she said
I
sniped in the leg. and he has got bad
/ limp for the rest Of his life NO more
soldering. Haven't you seen him.
mo, nor she said in a low tone
ne came back two days ago. and
Wardlaw insisted on dragging him here
dHere2'' she exclaimed
He nodded.
7 saw him a little time ago playing
cards in the smoking room You see,
! he cant dance now. He's cut on from
most things, and still young man II $
pretty rough to see him hobbling about
/ painfully with a big stick POOR o4d
! LuInI His luck was bad
The girl was staring straight ahead OF
her. She seemed to have heartily heard
his last words.
Drysdale glanced at her, then gave a
I little laugh as he noticed a. man making
his way toward them.
"A h. here comes the paragon OF all
the virtues and the possessor of seventy
thousand year-an interesting, II
somewhat unusual, comblnatlOn-you
partner for the next dancet" ne said
And. incidentally, for life also!' he
added with a smile
He got UP from his seat 1eisurely, as
Earl Davesham came up to them He
was a grave-looking man of about ~,
his hair just tinged with gray.
our dance, is it not2" he asked, with
a quiet smile
She rose and took his arm. The music
had started, and they began to waltz
good many eyes were focused on the Sc
date-looking man and his Deautltul
partner. They went around the room
twice The Earl made a few common
/ place remarks, TO which she replied
somewhat Hstlessly. There was q far
away look into her eyes.
shall we sit out the rest2" he asked
at length
something in his tone reused her She
/ glanced at him and saw that his eyes
were fastened on her face. She felt =
eli hi Chi RIM
not notice that she went a shade pale
Its my favorite waltz" she said in 4
! low, quick tone. DO you mind II we
dance it through" she added, forcing
sssy- all meansl" he said courteously
And away they went again.
But our next dancer" he said gravely
a moment later. You viii sit out that
with me? I have something to say to
you-something Of the greatest import
ance to me-"
VERY well. then she said. trembling
~. Our next dance"
Presently, when the waltz was over,
he had to leave her. Austin Drysdale
sauntered across to her, and at her re-
quest took her to a seat in one Of the
corridors
Il want to be quiet for a moment or
sot' she exclaimed. so please don't
talk much, Austin. Mr.. Drummond is
my next partner
He looked at her inquiringly.
Why didn't the paragon take you in
to the conservatory? he asked banter
ingly-
She gave a little sigh.
ooh. the conservatory is due with orr
next dancei" she replied. and relapsed
into silence.
a door a few yards away from them
opened a few inches. and the sound of
mems voices broke upon their ears.
Il just came along from Cranston's
dinner party, and we had quite dra-
matte little seene." cried one Young
Rivington, who has been invalided home
was there. and a lot Of other chaps. I-e
drank champagne rather heavily. and.
not being strong yet, it went to his head,