The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-06-12
IT'S LUCKY NUMBER
BY MARY GARLAND KNIGHT.

s~pendthrift riot That was not his
natural pace. He had missed real
home life since his parents died two
months previously. Young Templeton
quietly set out Il find a wife. He was
not after style, money OF position.
Some sweet humble little woman who
could appreciate a comfortable home
was his ideal.
There seems to be none such in
Elsdene," he decided, after every for
tune-hunting girl in the county had
set her cap at him.
Business is what you want to think
of, old boy" declared his lawyer, a
young man who was really loyal to
bis interests.
Willis considered many business
propositions. Then came a wonderful
chance to increase his few thousands
to a million, according to Vance Traf-
ton.
This latter was a cousin. He had
been a scapegrace in his youth. Later
Willis had heard he had figured as
promoter and Spectator. He had ap-
peared at Elsdene about a month after
his succession to the fortune. Willis
had been pestered to death with mean,
INDECENT and really deserving rela-
tives. He had more or less got rid of
most OF them according to their de-
serts. When Traitor appeared, it was
al enjoyable relief to Willis to find
m who was not scheming to
beg or borrow of him.
I'm north closing a big deal" re-
ported the fashionably dressed rela-
tive who bore all the earmarks of
permanent prosperity. Went to Flor
ida ten years ago, bought one thou
sand acres of swamp land at two dol
lars an acre. We've sold it all out at
twenty and I'm trying to buy a tract
from a man in the city. You'd ought
to see how we've made the wilderness
blossom as the rose. Think of it
ninety thousand %pineapples this
years crop, some of them weighing as
much as nine pounds. Juicy, mellow
| want you to come back with me and
see a real climate, Willis"
By degrees the willy, specious Traf-
ton worked on Willis until the latter
was actually anxious to buy an inter-
est in the wonderful proposition. 1t
was finally agreed that he should in
vest eight thousand dollars for a one
fourth share in the new land about
to be opened up.
I'll go to the city and arrange to
get the deeds for the land" announced
Trafton. TN the meantime I'll have
a choice half dozen of our %pineapples
shipped to you, just to show you what
magnificent fruit w raise"
In a day or two along came a crate
directed to Willis. AS he opened it,
wrapped in tissue paper were half a
dozen ~pineapples. Certainly they were
superior and standard More than ever
in love with the proposition, the elated
Willis was about to hasten to distrib-
ute the luscious fruit among his
friends and possibly influence other
investors to go into the enterprise.
when he noticed a neat-looking card
in the bottom of the crate.
Beside it lay an unstamped letter.
1t was simply directed to Miss
Landon." The card read: Acme
Fruit Co" and gave an address in
the city. At one end was the writ
ten notation: Packed by No. A."
1T doesn't square up right" decided
Willis, and s%traightway started for the
city.
He found out where the fruit COM
pany named had it's warehouse. It
was a busy place devoted to the spe-
cialty of packing fine tropical fruits.
Willis saw the manager. He was
soon convinced that the crate of pine
had been shipped to him on a
casual order two days before.
They came from Florida?" inquired
Willis.
ooh, no. We get all our primes from
Central America" was the amazing
declaration.
And who was No. AZ? All, yes-one
of their fruit packers, Miss Landon
by name. Could she be seen?-for
Willis had opened the letter to find
that it contained an offer of marriage
one Richard Martin"
Miss Landon was not at work. Ad-
dress-yes, such and such a number on
a certain street. Thither Willis pro-
ceeded.
A good-natured old lady was IN
charge. She invited Willis in, say
ing that Miss Landon would o be
home.
Certainly the refined homelike air
Of the delightful little fiat was sooth-
ing. Willis fingered. Miss Landon ar
rived.
Bluntly he told her the whole story.
He handed her the letter. He was
sorry. as her bright gentle face grew
upon him. that she had a lover.
'Oh. dear!" she cried, as she re-
ceived the missive I've wondered
| ever lost it. It must have
fallen from my pocket into the crate.
I am glad to get 1t. A friend of my
a gentleman friend. asked me
TO give 1t TO her. Now | can straight