The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-07-21

veil. and the occasional silver threads
that time had woven were quite hid
den from view. If Luey's cheeks had
been pink she would have looked very
much like the Lucy of old.
The pink came fast enough when
she found herself hesitating at pref
ty rustic gate set in an evergreen
hedge. Beyond was small cottage
set in the midst of flowers Away to
the west there stretched thriving
vineyard. and beyond to the south
there was another cottage. newer and
freshly painted. and all around this
cottage as far as the eye could see
We're 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 Ansels, house.
Her first doubt of Ansel Peever
came when she saw woman on the
porch eying her curiously. Around
the woman's skirts there chung lit
tie child, Lucy's heart almost stopped
beating. Aunt Rebecca was right
after all--Ansel 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.
II am looking for Ansel Peever's
house." she said.
just at present. expect him back in
about an hour. Won't you come in
and rest awhile?" The woman smiled
pleasantly, but she was evidently Gu
rious about Lucy's unexpected APP
pearance.
"I'll rest little WHILE" hesitated
Lucy. but must so back presently.
There's a carriage waiting for me
around the bend"
Lucy sat down In rocking chair
and looked so white and wan that Mrs.
Peeyer fetched glass of ice cold milk
and made her drink It, After awhile
Lucy was able to sit up and smile back
ut the little laughing girl who chung
to her knee.
Peever, Perhaps will come again
some time" said Lucy at last as she
prepared to leave.
You are from the east. | am sure"
said the woman bluntly. 'If you are
one of Ansel's 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.
Lucy turned what do you want"
she asked
wait minute" called the other,
and she came running down the path
and mid n hand on Lucy's shrinking
shoulder. IL 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 though" She laughed merrily.
Young Ansel!" repeated Lucy daz-
eddy
My husbands nephew. They're
both named Ansel Peever Pm Mr..
Perver's second wife aud sort of step
aunt to your Anse That's his house
next door all ready for you-just fin
ished land Ansel inside there rigging
himself up 10 90 east after you this
very minute I'll run over and fetch
him You wait here. Lucy"
Mrs Pcever ran feetly across tho
lawn. while Lucy sank weakly down
on n garden seat Happy tears filled
her tired eyes. and the little girl, who
was not Ansel's after all. came and
heaped roses In her lap.
Then Ansel himself stood before her,
thinner br 'wilcr. older. but the same
Ansel save that the youthful pride and
arrogance had been hammered out OF
him hv The foundry OF experience.
"Lucy Lucy said Ansei brokenly
II was getting ready to come after
you | haven't made fortune and !
never will have one. but I've got Il
cottage and an orange grove and now
I've got yon didn't renllze In leav.
ing you. dear. That was leaving my
fortune behind me. was ashamed TO
go back 10 Little River until had
done something big. Then | heard
from somebody that you'd lost every
thing through some rascality. and SO
| made up my mind to go after you.
Can you forgive me. Lucy. dearY"
or course Lucy forgave him, and
they were married the verN next day
In the new cottage. and they went TO
Little River on their honeymoon. ~