Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-08-11

ly, haven't II" admitted Lacy. "But
then you know, I'm perfectly safe. >
Perfectly safe! Why, what dc
you mean?"
Can you keep a secret, Sue?"
"Of course l can. / Just love
secrets!"
Lacy smiled at her enthusiasm.
Mind, when l say secret, that means
that Frank isn't to know
Sues face clouded for instant.
Cant | tell Frank. Oh, well, all
right. won't mention it to any
body"
That's papas little girl. Now,
do you see this cane?" He took the
stick in his hand as he spoke.
Yes, what about it?"
DO you notice that it has a ster-
ling silver horseshoe on the top?"
well, this cane is my mascot. ="
Lacy leaned back in his chair to OBJ
serve the effect of his announcement
better.
Your mascot?" she repeated
You means that it brings you luck" :"
Precisely. l got it last November
a year ago, the day made the specu-
lation that was the beginning of this
brilliant career of mine. 1t belonged
to my partner, and as it seemed to
be bringing him luck, had my eye
upon it. l made a bet with him
about Reading, and as result won
the cane. That very day l made
twenty-five thousand"
Wasn't that peculiar?" said Sue,
giving the cane a glance of involun-
tary awe. at doesn't look as if it
could be responsible for the remark
able things you have done"
ut is, though" replied Lacy. "You
know they say that truth is stranger
than fiction"
$50 it is" said Sue. Let me see
your mascot" Lacy passed it to her,
and after a few moments spent in
examining it, she suddenly eXclaim-.
ed, 80, papa, the horseshoe is
loose!"
A look of concern crossed her
fathers face. Let me see. That's
right" he said after a moment. 1t
seemed as if all his light spirits had
suddenly left him, and pushing aside
his plate he looked for the waiter.
Don't get the blues about it,
Sue said quickly. You can get it
fixed tomorrow. and it will be just
as good as new"
1T won't be the same thing" re-
pied Lacy heavily. Il always knew
that if anything ever happened to
it, luck would be against me-
But nothing has happened to it
yet"
At that moment the waiter jump
ed to Lacy's side. Bring me my
check" said Lacy. Then he said to
his daughter, 81 can't afford to take
any chance now, for / have heavy in
terests in the United Railways In
vestment company of San Francisco
Bought it on a margin, you know, ="
he added in explanation.
81 know. But nothing has hap
pened to the cane yet, and nothing
will if you have it fixed the first thing
in the morning"
Something is going to happen,
said Lacy in gloomy Obstinacy, "and
you can't make me think anything
else."
A few minutes late Lacy and his
daughter were descending the steps
of the hotel. Sue suddenly slipped,
and with a little cry caught at her
arm, causing him to drop the
cane.
Ibid you hurt yourself, dear?"
asked Lacy anxiously.
mo, just turned my ankle, that's
ALL" she replied, laughing nervously
I'm all right, really. You dropped
your cane, papa"
Lacy stopped to pick it up. AS he
did so, he noticed that the horseshoe
was gone. The face he raised to his
laughter had suddenly grown white.
What it is?" she cried in alarm.
Mutely Lacy showed her. "Oh, Wen
ind it," she said. "It must be here"
There isn't any use in hunting
rhe cane is broken and that is
Nonsense! WeI find the horse
hoe, and you can have it mended !
omorrow."
"It won't be the same thing at
H." was the gloomy response. "The /
ane's broken and therefore the luck
5 broken. I'll be ruined tomorrow.
Nonsense, papa. oh, here it isl