Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-28
THE LUCK OF "LUM."
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

|
~ his house was filled with gilt
tering crowd. At one end man of
about 81 was sitting with a young and
pretty girl His eye roamed over the
brilliant scene, and half smile played
about his mouth.
Lucky. lucky girl" he murmured.
His companion looked up to him in
quiringly There was a slight spot Of
color on her cheek.
Austin Drysdale indicated the huge
room with slight movement of his
hand
"All yours" he said softly. ITO be
had, not for the ask King. but just for
consentng to accept it. A title, i'm
mense wealth. as husband an amiable
man of middle age and irreproachable
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 Il point OF
being frank with you. So let us dis
cuss the earl. Here" he ratified on.
I'VE have most useful member of
INSTRUMENTATION. Industrious. and
given to thinking seriously. He has
drifted on to middle age without hav-
ing fallen in love-the despair of titled
mothers with marriayeable daughters.
At length he sees you, Miss Beryl
Heathcote, Il delightful young creature,
and straightway determines to make
up for lost time. And tonight it will
be settled. my dear. I'm absolutely
certain he will propose to-night-I'm
never wrong in these matters-and to-
morrow you will be referred to in ev-
cry bOudoir as the most designing
young person in all London. In other
words, you have succeeded where they
failed"
The girl was looking at the edge of
her fan thoughtfully."
Il don't think have tried" she said
Drysdale laughed.
'Then you are more lucky than you
deserve to be. The earl will be mod.
ell husband, and" continuing to be
frank lis marvellous prize in the
matrimonial market"
Are you going to talk nonsense all
the evening. Austin?" she remarked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
ut was mere cOusinly exuberance of
spirits ut 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 your" she said calmly. Her
hands were lingering the tassel OF her
fan.
Yes" he continued. But when he
went off to the war. and you didn't
seen to mind. we decided that we were
wrong" He paused for a moment. but
the girl said nothing. Anyway" he
went on, Its just as we'll 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 SHIPPED in the leg. and he got a bad
limp for the rest of his life. No more
soldering. Haven't you seen hlm?"
NO. no." 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
Il 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. ana still Il young man. It's
pretty rough to see him hobbling pain
fully with 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 max
ing his way toward them.
"Ah. here comes the paragon Of all
the virtues and the possessOr of sew
enty thousand pounds a year-an inter
esting. if somewhat unusual combina-
tion-yOur partner for the next dance.'
he said. And. incidentally, for life
also," he added with smile
He got up from his seat leisurely, as
Earl Davesham came up to them. He
was gravelOOking man of about 40.
his hair just tinged with gray.
Our dance. is it not:" he asked. with
a quiet smile.
She rose and took his arm. The mu,
sic had started, and they began to
waltz. \ good many eyes We're TO-
cussed on the soda tc-looking man and
his beautiful partner. They went
around the room twice. The earl made
a few commonplace remarks. to which
she replied somewhat listlessly. There
was Il PARKWAY 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