The Spectator., 1915-03-16
LUKE AND HIS LEGAcY
 By MERTON LEE DANFORTH.
Copyright, 1915, by w. G. Chapman)

vera, SpOke her lover STaVely, II you measure love and happiness with dollars, I am afraid you will never find much in life. My uncle left me five hundred dollars. There was a poor consumptive cousin who had come to the reading of the will expect ing legacy. He was left nothing His doctor had told him that only change to another climate would save his life. Vera, if you'd seen the tears run down his cheeks at his disappoint- ment, you'd feel sorry, as l did"
 Vera tossed her head angrily.
 Anyhow, l got talking with him. He was an honest, truthful man. It seems that he had been for years liv- ing on a small ten-acre place in a town called Benham. It had pretty good cottage on it, but he said that his i'll health and lack of capital had prevented him from working the place. He eked out a mere existence working as a flagman for a railroad. He told me frankly that the place was scarcely salable at any price, as it was located near an old, abandoned colliery. Well, bought it. That's all"
 And I suppose" fared up Vera, you expect me to go and live in that outlandish places"
 GOT rent it." replied Luke quietly.
 He left the house of his sweetheart that night pretty we'll disillusioned as to the amiabe qualities of Miss Vera Moore. She had treated him coolly. He doubted if she had ever really loved him. The next time he called. her sister Norma informed him that Vera was not at home. She made it pleasant for him the brief time he stayed Luke could not but notice that she was trying to apologize for her high-tempered sister and cheer him up at the same time.
 She was older than Vera, but for the first time he observed her gentle, sym pathetic face. She talked to him about the little home he had bought, and said wistfully:
 'I do hope Vera will come around to finding love in cottage real hap piness," but Luke doubted that. t1c HedTu ldtcT lildt NSId udu UcSh out promenading with two young men of the town. She was insolently neg lectful of him at times. Then came bad news The little cottage at Ben- ham had burned down. No insurance. Two days later Luke received a brief note. It was from Vera, and it ran: 'I ask to be released from our en- gagement."
 Luke Maydwell read the note with satisfaction and was ashamed of him. self-further, with a sense of relief. and was surprised. He made gen tlemanly reply to the note in harmony with the wishes of his imperious lady love of the past. He called upon Vera and in frank manly fashion tried to make her feel that he did not blame her.
 "I'm pretty poor that's fact" he told her, but I would have worked ! for you my hardest"
 A young man called just then to 1 take Vera out driving. She put on her things and left Luke with heartless nod.
 Norma will entertain you. Luke" she said. and. turning to the sister in question, Luke saw shining in her tender eyes a trace of tears.
 q am ashamed of her, Luke she spoke quite indignantly. You are too good for her"
 It was wonderful how we'll they got on. A natural sequence resulted. Within month Luke Maydwell was | the happiest man in the world. He had found real love at last. Vera had become engaged to a new flame. Six months later Luke and Norma were arranging for their wedding.
 She had induced him to go down to Benham and arrange to build a new cottage.
 Norma met him at the door when he returned from his visit to Benham. His honest heart warmed as he con- trasted the glad welcome she gave him with that past. forgotten and for given reception awarded him by her sister on a previous occasion.
 Well, dear?" she chirped happily the cottage?"
 Cant be built" reported Luke. shaking his head positively.
 "Oh, how you disappoint mel" mur- mured Norma. q had so set my heart on day by day working to make one small beginning a task of pleasant duty and ambition.
 q am thinking of buying the house left vacant by Judge Sherman" re- marked Luke.
 Vera. who was listening to the con- versation. gave Luke sarcastic smile, for he had named one of the show places of the town.
 Certainly" she sneered ill-natured- ly. As a millionaire. undoubtedly you can afford it!"
 I'm not quite . millionaire" re- piled Luke in a blunt, practical way. I 1---