Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-05-01
TICKLE FORTUNE
By WAVERLY JOHNSON.

rOaGb3d Oaek the way lie nQQ come.
He had been doing when the conduc-
tor called out Wadhams and had been
carried five miles beyond his station.
The roadbed was stone bailasted
and not easy to the feet. Wayne,
glancing down the embankment, no.
ticed that the right of way was bound
ed by fence. Then came a strip
about two hundred feet wide and then
traversbie dirt highway, Wayne
descended.
He observed that this strip of land.
extending for a mile or more, WAS o.
spongy soil not fit even for grazing,
except whore little knoll presented,
and upon this was small house one
story high, square and compact, an
ideal OF neatneSs end taste in the cen
ter of an inviting patch of worthless,
useless syound.
The house was painted freshly and
IT shone as q result of the use of eX-
eaient material and expert workman
ship. WaFne was thirsty and noticed
a wefi, turned from the road and as
he went up 4 sraveled path the ap-
parent owner of the place appeared at
the spea doorway.
He was a middle aged man, erect.
active looking and clean appearing.
He wore white duck jumpers and over
alls and they were immaculate. Like
the exterior of the house he seemed
Just to have stepped from a paint
pot.
Can / have drink Of water?" be-
gan Wayne, and paused, dazzled, ms II
all he saw was part Of some moving
pieturo. Another character in its en-
semble had appeared. This was
Young girl of perhaps eighteen, tin
pail in her hand, headed for the well.
She was fitting and harmonious part
of the pleasant prospect. Trim, grace
ful. aprayed in n pretty calico gown,
she emphasized the wholesome aspect
Of tho environment.
"Sit down, won't yOu?' invited
Wayne's host, and moved towards
garden bench near by. Bound for
Wadhan?'
"why. yes" explained Wayne. 81
slept past my station and will have to
foot it back"
"WeH, if you aren't in hurry |
fancy wa can help you Gil your way.
MY daughter Cora, will drive to Wad-
ham in about half an hour. She's
taken up drawing Mt the college there"
Just then tho girl appeared with
glass pitcher filled with sparkling well
water and a glass. Wayne arose and
bowed politely and the manner of the
girl, like that of the father, was friend
ly and pleasant.
She left them and Wayne heard her
chirrup TO horse grazing near
small barn outside Of which stood
single seated gig. He glided into
general conversation with his host
David Bayle was his name.
"You see. was painter. In the
CITY," narrated Rogers. "Not an ar
tist-no. Cora seems to have all the
genius in that direction. Scenes. most
". mine, and big landscape stuff for
pleasure parks, band stages and all
that. We were c0Oped up ana II
didn't give Cora show. A Slick fel-
low came along and traded me this
stretch of territory for my business
took his word as to what you see
here. He said the land was right at
junction that was the railroad key
TO tho county and bound to he very val
liable in time. We'll, he Swindled u.s.
that's all, and we've made the best OF
II. I've got little ready cash. but
pintng for something to keep me busy.
and Cora is lonesome.
"Row far do you own along the
railroad" inquired Wayne.
N even mile. There's Cora. II
Won won't mind the ioltins it'll be
easier in the old gig than tramping it..
She was the pleasantest, brightest
little fairy Wayne had ever met, this
clcnr-cgcd. dinpled girl. and by the
timo they reached Wadham, they were
quita friendly. In her simple way
she told of her school life, her artistic
ambitions. her hopes that they could
get rid Of the hand and settle in some
less unei viHZed spot.
"its fate sosiloQuiZed Wayne. That
same afternoon Mte. rs he made his
way TO the place where Miss Bayle
put UP tho rig.
TITS love at first sight," he added,
as she appeared.
II am going to ask you to drive me
back to your home" he told the young
girl. "You see, have some business
with your father"
The :.husiness" Wayne had worked
up over long distance telephone. A
big idea had struck him.
81 represent the largest billboard
concern in the world he told the
wondering father and daughter. "nnd
the minute ! analyzed your layout
here I saw q big speculation. Your