Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-12
that stout pessim,st, Hannibal.

that stout pessimist, Hannibal.
"Howdy. Frank" she called, coming
down to the gate with a napkin cover
ed plate In her hand. I've been bak-
ing today, and 1 made berry pie for
you"
That's a dandy. Mary" he smiled.
patting her plump hand effectionately.
II don't know what I'd do for pie ic
you didn't remember me-"
You can count on pie once or
twice a week till you get married.
laughed Mary as he drove off.
Now you're putting a premium on
my keeping single" he called back.
As he drove up the slight incline
that led to his own house. which was
next to Flamm's place. he was think
ing about this subject. which was ever
q popular topic with his sister. It
was true that he would be forty-two
this month. and as yet he was not
married, and there seemed no prospect
of his ever entering the matrimonial
state. In Little River he had the rep
utation of being unlucky, but the III
fortune which had seemed to attend
his affairs the past ten years might
souled generosity and uuseldshness
rather than a mere trick of fate.
Once he had been engaged TO marry
a girl. and she had died on the eve Of
their wedding. That was when he
was very young. A few years later he
again wooed a Little River girl. only,
to lose her to his faithless friend. Dave
Raybold, whose note he had also in
dorsed. Afterward it developed that
the treacherous David had spent the
borrowed money on an extensive wed-
ing trip, which Frank Peters unluckily
had to pay for.
Inside his bachelor abode Frank pro-
ceeded TO prepare his dinner with skill
worthy OF a trained domestic. His
kitchen was as neat and cosy as a
ships galley, and the table at which
he sat down would have excited the
admiration Of any housewife. 1t was
not until he had concluded his meal
and washed the dishes that he sat
down to open the pile OF mail matter
which he had found at the postOttice.
/ First he sorted out the letters which,
| might be OF interest. There were only
]
the other being from his older brother
in Nebraska. The circulars and cata-
logues he left for idle moments.
A perusal of the Chicago letter left
him open mouthed and staring. In
brief 1t stated that Messrs. Furrow 81
Sharp desired the pleasure OF meet
ing Mr.. Peters at their office in the!
Mammoth building ut an early date in
reference to his interest in the estate
of the late David Raybold of Chicago.
Franks gone to Chicago" announce
ed Mary Flamm to her husband the
next morning. HE wouldn't say why
he was going" She looked worried.
Hum snorted Hannibal Flamm
cOntemptuously. ITS an easy guess
he's going to buy gold brick"
When Frank Peters entered the Of
flee of Furrow & Sharp that morning
he felt little shock at meeting Nellie
Raybold there. She was pale and
worn. but some magic within her had
managed TO retain certain girlish
look that kept the years at bay. Frank
decided that II was the black gown
and veil that made her look different,
and as his hand inclosed hers in a
warm, firm grasp a pink flush invaded
her paleneSs and made her like the
Nellie OF old who had bushed at his
approach.
Mr.. Furrow. a pompous little man
with throaty voice, solemnly read
over the last will and testament OF Da-
vid Raybod. It seemed that David
had come into n legacy a short time
before his death, and such was his
remorse at the manner he had treated
his old friend. that he had in his iucon-
sequent way. left everything to Frank
Peters except the widows portion Of
one-third of his estate, which was small
enough.
When Frank Peters heard this his
anger knew no bounds. He fatty re-
fused TO accept the Inheritance and
only after a long consultation with Mr.
FurrOw would he consent TO hold the
money long enough 70 make the trans
fer TO the widow whom he stoutIy de-
clared should have It. The settlement
Of this business occupied many days
and neceSsitatcd good many inter
views with Nellie
At last he returned 70 Little River
; younger looking happier and more
alert than lie had been for ten years
Don't call me lucky Peters when
you want to make n Joke" he admon-
ished his friends with twinkling eyes
Nowadays, when you call me that,
| you call me right -understand?"
They didn't understand fully until
eighteen months afterward he return
ed To his newly furnished home and
brought Nellie R4vbOld with him
That's why I'm Lucky Peters," he
smiled proudly. NO man ran look at
, 1er and say I'm unlucky"
You're both lucky" half cried Mary
o Flamm ms she kissed the bride.
Put Hannibal Flamm. who had not
seen successful in his efforts TO Oust
: Captain LemminG from the postoffice.
~rung Franks hand and said. Hum"
! very significantly.
Aug. IL in American