The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-03-11

drew him toward her and kissed him
on the lips. Then, still holding him,
she added with an inquiring glance
at her sister:
And one for dear Nellie, too?"
The fair maiden blushed deeply, but
did not g~ainsay the edict. Again Ross
Evans lifted his hat ~courteously. A
bright episode in his life faded away
as the machine disappeared, leaving
him standing there, his heart warmed
and thrilling. He watched the auto
mobile till il turned the next corner,
responded to a little hand waving
towards him and uttered something OF
a sigh.
The glimpse of apparent wealth,
luxury and social distinction contrast
ed vi idly with his own present condi-
ton. A company whose mechanical
engineer he had been for some years
had failed. He was fairly stranded,
and the prospects ahead dubious.
AS Ross started to leave the spot
he paused % pick up a small g~littering
object that attracted his gaze.
"A bent nickel, ne s~oliloquized,
glancing at 1t with only casual in
terest.
II mad a slight mark where some
heavy force had driven it out of shape.
Two initials we're scratched across
its face-"A. b." Ross placed it in
his pocket and for a momen thought
no more of it.
Two days later, however, Ross Evans
treasured the disfigured coin as though
it were a precious talisman. He was
not given to foolish superstition. but
from the hour that he picked up that
nickel the tide of fortune seemed to
turn. He CHANGED to help a crippled
old man over a crowded street cross
ing. 1t led to an acquaintanceship.
The man was a contractor. He took
a liking to Ross. His frank, intelli-
gent ways attracted him. Ross was
empoyed to take charge of some inn
portant construction work in a neigh
boring city. From then on he was
sure of a lucrative established posi-
ton. 1t pleased his fancy to believe
that the meeting with the fair girl
he had not forgotten, and his finding
the coin were harbingers Of contin-
ued prosperity. He cherished the fond
memory of the first, and slowed the
bent nickel securely inside his watch
case.
1t was about a month later when
Ross, returned to Everdem to report
to his employer, CHANGING to pick up
a local paper at the hotel read the
following remarkable advertisement:
Lost, reward-S1,0 900 will be paid
to the finder of a ben nickel marked
A B. one month since. Miss Nellie
Moore, 905 Benson Terrace"
Speedily Ross was on his way to
the fair advertiser, not thinking of
any reward save a look at her bonny
face. He was not embarrassed with
~threadbare attire this time. He vas
in appearance fully what ne was-a
gentleman.
She welcomed him with surprise,
but as well with honest pleasure shin
ing in her bright eyes. Then she
explained. The nickel must have fall
len out of her hand bag at the time
of the accident. She had that day
taken it from her uncle's safe to have
a gold receptacle made for it, for it
was a treasured memento In the fam
lily.
1t had stopped the course of a bullet
at a time when her uncle was a vic
tim to drink. He had reformed, and
treasured the coin as a memento of
evil days now fully redeemed.
OF course Ross declined any reward.
AS he was about to depart, little Lois
bounded into the room to greet him
as if he were a familiar friend.
Then you have not forgotten me?"
smiled Ross.
"Oh, dear, no! nor sister either-IIl
show you"
And taking up a sketch book she
showed a drawing, a very fair present
men of himself.
Nellie blushed and tried to prevent
the exhibition of it, but Ross had seen
-ano hoped.
And hope brought deeper love, and
that vas refined into a mutual affec-
ton that kept the cherished bent
nickel in the family.
Copyright. 1914, by w. G. Chapman)