The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-28
TWO OF A TRADE

don't be downhearted-it Ia a secret
but Dick and Lesta Mills have come
TO an understanding at last There
is no talk OF marriage yet--but / dare
say you Will be warned In time
when the scoundrei has been at
your apron strings this year and
more! As your next OF kin, ought
to call him to account" Allonby said.
The sneer was QUITE banished, the
smile sunny. Il was jesting." he ran
on You know that. You are not
the sort OF girl man plays fast and
loose with, Did YOU know about
Lesta all the tlme?"
Everything. And / did my best TO
bring them together. They had quar-
relied over such little thing" Lura
answered. making as though to
pass on.
Allonby flung open the gate, say
ing, entreatingly. Dad wants TO see
you; are YOU big enough TO shame
me, by coming ln2''
Lura laughed low pleasant laugh
You think I'm high and naughty
still over your refusing me, she said
when she could speak Don't you
know I'm gratefui--eyery day Of my
life Think What 1t would be--two
OF a trade in one poor. small family.
Anonby looked nystifed. Lura
laughed again. We are surely play
ing at cross purposes she said.
~ on don't know--H nat / came to tell
you. have won the first prize in
the 'Eras story contest. Two
Thousand dollars, Really, / can't
believe it."
Allonby staggered as If he had been
struck Things were at desperate
pass with him. not for months had
he sold anything considerable. His
hope conferred upon this prize. he had
sent in half Il dozen tales. He was
blind, sick. shlvering cold; by su-
preme effort he steadied himself and
held out his hand. saying huskiiy,
so after all; my calculations ara
due
THAT depends, Laura said almost
wistfullv- then coaXingly: jack
are cousins? Please take this fooi-
ish prize money and spend IT for
Uncle John. DIR. Green told me a
little while ago there was chance
for him If he could go to some Won
derful eure-~and stay there three
months
AHouby's hands went over liz
working face He also had been told
IA large part of the sting of losing
lay IN the knowledge And now the
winner. the plain girl he had con-
demned and rejected made this un-
b.lieVably generous offer He could
not accept tt-~neither could he re-
fuse this father himself must de-
eide.
Brokenly he said so to Lura. She
was trembling a little. but held her
self very straight as she went beside
him into the bare unhomelike place
that was both workshop and living
room.
John Alofthy the elder sat propped
with many pillows in the one easy
chair. a frau wrath of a strong man.
piteously feeble. He smiled a queer
twisted smile as L.ura took his hands
in hers. With swimming eyes. she
bent and kissed his forehead, making
her plea to help him. He heard with
kindiing eyes, faint color rising in
his withered cheek.
"You--you--say there is chance"
he gasped at last. And then his head
fell bach-~he had tainted from joy.
Lura chatting his hands and tenn
pies almost giared at his son. ''Tf
YOU hesitate now you are murder
replied, very low. Years ago
murdered my chance for the rarest
happiness
''You mean you tried to. Lura
snapped at him. But she flushed Ike
the dawn.
When the sick man came to he
looked wonderingly from one to
other as If In answer to his pleading
ewes their hands met In close warm
clasp.