The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-11
luck OF LUM.

-ARL DAvEsHAM was giving a
dance and the great ballroom OF
bis house was filled with a gilt
tering crowd. At one end man or
about thirty-fve was sitting with a
young and pretty girl. His eye roamed
over the brilliant scene, and half
smile played about his mouth.
LUCKY, lucky grill" he murrnured.
His companion looked up at him in
ouirjngly. There was slight spot OF
color on her cheek.
Austin Drysdale indicated the huge
room with a slight movement OF his
hand.
"All yours!" he said softly. ITO be
had. not for the asking, but for just
consenting to accept 1t. title, I'M
mense wealth, as husband nn amiable
man of middle age and irreproachaple
character. 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 privileged
Besides, I've always made point OF
being frank with you. So let us discuss
the Earl Here" he ratified one, I'VE
have most useful member of the aris-
tocracy-sober, Industrious and given
to thinking seriously. He has drifted
on to middle age without having fallen
in loye-the despair of all titled moth
crs with marriageable daughters. AT
length he sees you, Miss Beryl Heath
cote, a delightful young creature, ana
straightway determines to make up FOR
lost time. And tonight it will be set
tied, my dear, I'm absolutely certain
he will propose tonight-Tm never
wrong in these matters-and tomorrow
YOU will be referred to in every bou-
doir as the most designing young per-
son in all London. In other words,
YOU will have succeeded where they
failed"
The girl was looking at the edge OF
her fan thoughtfully.
"I don't think I have tried" she said.
Drysdale laughed.
"Then you are more lucky than you
deserve to be. The Earl will be
model husband, and, continuing to be
frank, is a marvellous prize in the ma
trimonial market. =.
Are you going to talk nonsense all
evening, Austin?" she remarked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"It was mere cousinly exuberance of
spirits at your good fortune" He
paused. do you KNOW" he added,
glancing at her quizzically, Il rather
thought you were little interested in
Lumsden last year."
did you?" she said, calmly. Her
hands We're lingering the tassle of her
fan.
"Yes," 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 girl said nothing. Anyway" he
went on, "it's just 81 well we were
since he's done for now, poor old
chap!"
She looked up quickly.
Done for?" she said.
"Didn't you hear?" he cried. "He
was sniped in the leg, and has has got
a bad limp for the rest Of his life. No
more soldering. Haven't you seen
him?"
mo, MOI" she said in a low tone.
"How could II"
He came back two days ago, and
Wardlaw insisted on dragging him here
tonight"
''Here?" she exclaimed.
He nodded.
81 saw him a little time ago playing
cards in the smoking room. You see,
he can't dance now. He's cut off from
most things, and still a young man.
It's pretty rough to see him hobbling
about painfully with a big stick. Poor
old Lum! His luck was bad"
The girl was staring straight ahead
of her. She seemed to have hardly
heard his last words.
Drysdale glanced at her, then gave a
little laugh as he noticed man making
his way toward them.
"Ah, here comes the paragon of all
the virtues and the possessor of .G70,-
900 a year an interesting if somewhat
unusual combination-your partner for
the next dance!" he said. "And, Incl
dentally, for life also!" he added with
a smile.
He got up from his seat leisurely, as
Earl Davesham came up to them. He
was a grave looking man of about
forty, his hair just tinged with gray.
"Our dance, is it not?" he asked, with
quiet smile.
She rose and took his arm. The music
had started, and they began to waltz.
A good many eyes were focused on the
sedate looking man and his beautiful
partner. They went around the room
twice. The Earl made few common
place remarks, to which she replied
somewhat listlessly. There was far
away look in her eyes.
"Shall we sit out the rest?" 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 a slight shiver run through her.
He did not notice that she went a
shade pale.
ITS my favorite waltz" she said in
low, quick tone. do you mind If we
dance it through?" she added, forcing
smile.
"By all means!" he said, courteously.
And away they went again.
But our next dance?" he said grave
ly moment later. "You will sit out
that with me? I have something to
say to you-something of the greatest
importance to me-"
A feeling of helplessness crept over
her.
"Very WELL then" she said trembling
ly. sour next dance"
Presently when the waltz was over.he
had to leave her. Austin Drysdale
sauntered across to her, and at her re-
A Little Girls Life Saved by Cham
berlain's Collie, Cholera and
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