The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-11

being aspirants for her heart ana
hand. 1t was the old story Of how
happy could / he with either From
A. practical. sensible viewpoint, Luke
was moro eligible. He owned and
titled his well cultivated fields, was
Industrious. ambitious and progres-
sive. vere's level little head thor
| oughly approved Of Luke.
Joe. on the contrary was Of the
happy-eo- lucky nature that answered
TO the call of fishing pool or hunters
horn whern there was urgent farm
work to be done; but he had
soft brown eyes and a. warm heart
ed. irresistible smile that moved yers
in spite OF her resolution Heads
had been winning for week back.
and the annual dinner given this year
at the home OF Luke's mother would
determine the question. She had
promised Luke his answer on that
day. and she had almost decided Il
should be In the affirmative. She
hoped Joe would not make Il hard
! for her TO stick to her purpose
The storm ragged throughout the
night. and the next morning she
looked out on miniature snow M oun-
tains. She became apprehensive as
To her means Of exit, for their farm
was IN q valley surrounded by hills
She called up the netghbors by tele-
phone and learned that her road was
already impossible from drifts She
itelephoned her predicamert to Luke's
mother. who was most profuse IN ex-
pressions Of regret
Her inventory Of her larder re-
vealed the fact that there was nothing
cooked or baked in store. for her
mother expected to be home on the
morrow.
II shall have ~ eat a simple ham
and egg dinner" she told herself
About / / o'clock there came Wig
orous stamping Of feet at the hack
door. which she FASTENED joyfuliy 70
open. The welcome visitor was Luke's
hired man.
WAS 1ert two hours rttttr. Down
| here. He'd TO come afoot. Can't get
team through. Luke sent YOU
basket Of dinner and this ere note"
After he had departed. We're read
the note,
MY dear We're" 1T ran. 1T has
spoiled our dinner that you can't he
with us am sending you a few
things for your dinner. an hear your
folks are away. Sorry I can't get
over. hut this IS our busy day. shall
come for my answer as soon as ths
storm let's UP"
In the basket was a chicken dreAs-
ed and ready to bake, r1ince piA,
stewed cranherries.
cit was thoughtful Of him she
said with a little throbhing in her
veins II wish he had come him
self I suppose he couldn't miss his
iinrer party. though. Wonder II Joe
win get there. He must be showed
in worse than any one"
With a sigh she went to work TO
prepare her solitary meal.
II will get the best n,eal--a COM
pany dinner and set the tahle--for
Luca> too. place opposite mine,
and maybe he will he here in spirit"
She put the chicken In the oven
to warm. made hot biscuits. cooked
golden squash and proceeded to set
the table with the best linen and
dishes When dinner was ready she
heard another loud stamping. This
time on the front steps.
Luke has reconsidered and come"
she thought as she flew to the door.
There. painting, smiling. rnsy-
checked and snow covered stood Joe.
With a glad little cry OF welcome shs
ushered him in,
'sIt was hotter work than last years
harvesting" he laughed.
How did you happen to come,
Joe7 And aren't you going to your
aunt's dinner?"
II hear You we're showed in and
alone I wasn't going to let you eat
alone 7 took a shovel and tunneied
my way through"
II looked In the cupboard while
aro and found there was nothing go
planned a ham. and egg dinner.
Think Of the dinner your aunt will
have
Il don't care II you have only bread
and water If you will share II with
me. We're"
II was only joking. Joe. Luke
sent me down chicken dinner this
morning. 1t is all ready to sit down
to-"
Joe looked disconsolate.
What chump am! Mother haA
stacks of things and I might have
brought you a dinner as we'll as not.
Luke always outdoes me-
HE didn't this time, joe" said the
girl softly 1T was a thousand times
nicer Of you to come than It was to
send me a dinner. When l got hts
basket. Joe. doubted you and
thought you were not thinking of my !.
plight When ! set the table. put
place opposite mine and pretended
Ii was for Luke. But now
''Bnt now, We're, may occupy that
place."
Yes. Joe"
And. We're" he continued sum-
monng all his fortitude. may l all
ways have that place-with YOU"
Hearts won. He read her answer
in her eyes.