Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-07-07

hedge. Beyond was a small cottage
set in the midst OF flowers. Away to
the west there stretched a thriving
vineyard, and beyond 70 the south
there was another cottage. newer and
freshly painted, and all around this
cottage as far as the eye could see
were orange groves. Lucy could smell
the odor of the waxen blossoms, and
she could see the gold of the ripened
fruit as she made her way up the
path to Ansefs house.
Her first doubt of Ansel Peever
came when she saw a woman on the
porch eying her curiously. Around
the woman's skirts there chung a lit
tie child. Lucy'S heart almost stopped
beating. Aunt Rebecca was right
after aIl-AnseI was married, and this
was his wife and child. No wonder
he had never come for her! What
would they think? What would Little
River think?
All these things passed through her
mind before she reached the porch.
There she stopped and looked at the
woman with appealing eyes.
"I am looking for Ansel Peever's
lOuSe, Sle Sdlu-
This is it, but my husband is away
Just at present. 1 expect him back in
about an hour. Won't you come in
and rest awhiIeT The woman smiled
pleasantly. but she was evidently Gu
rious about Lucy's unexpected ap-
pearance.
IN rest a little while" hesitated
Lucy, but l must go back presently.
There's a carriage waiting for me
around the bend"
Lucy sat down in a rocking chair
aud looked so white and wan that Mrs.
Peever fetched a glass Of ice cold milk
and made her drink it. After awhile
Lucy was able to sit up and smile back
at the little laughing girl who chung
to her knee.
Peever. Perhaps 1 will come again
some time said Lucy at l2s5 as she
prepared to leave.
you are from the east, 1 am sure,''
said the woman bluntly. "If you are
one of Ansers folks from Little River
he'll be mighty disappointed if you
don't stay or leave your name any
way"
You may tell him that Lucy Mellen
called to see him." said Lucy as she
bent down to kiss the little girl. Then,
with a murmured word OF thanks to
Mrs. Peever, she hurried down the
walk.
Then Mrs. Peever found voice. Lucy
Mellen, Lucy Mellen! Come back
here" she called imperatively.
Il
she asked.
wait a minute" called the other.
and she came running down the path
and laid a hand on Lucy'S shrinking
shoulder. 81 thought you wanted to
see my husband" she painted, but it's
young Ansel you're looking for, l
guess. Won't he be surprised TO see
you. thought She laughed merrily.
Young Ansel!" repeated Lucy daz-
eddy.
My husbands nephew. They're
both named Ansel Peever. I'm Mr..
Peever's second wife and sort of step
aunt to your AnseL That's his house
next door all ready for yOu-just fin
ished-and Ansel inside there rigging
himself up to so east after you this
very minute. ii run over anu lelCu
him You wait here, Lucy"
Mrs. Peever ran fieetly across the
lawn, while Lucy sank weakly down
on a garden seat. Happy tears filed
her tired eyes. and the little girl. who
was not Ansel's after all, came and
hea3ed roses in her lap.
Then Ansel himself stood before her,
thinner, browner, older, but the same
Ansel save that the youthful pride aud
arrogance had been hammered out OF
him by the foundry of experience.
"Lucy-Lucy" said Ansel brokenIy.
81 was getting ready to come after
you. l haven't made fortune and l
never will have one. but I've got
cottage and an orange grove. and now
I've got you. / didn't realize in leav-
ing you. dear, that 1 was leaving my
fortune behind me. l was ashamed TO
go back to Little River until | had
done something big. Then 1 heard
from somebody that you'd lost every
thing through some rascality. ana 20
l made up my mind to go aftst yCI.
Can You forgive me. Lucy. dear" go
Of course Lucy forgave him. .,ad
they were married the very next Gay
in the new cottage. and they Went to
Little River on their honeymoon.