Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-12-04
The Barker Luck
BY A. ". A
BY A. W. PEACH

copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)
Rose Barker faced the Issue brave
ly as she had faced other difficult prob
lens in days past. Without any par
ticular ability except willingness to
work hard, she had won her way Into
the good will of the great real estate
firm. and was about to enter on the
new duties of the position, when the
grave but kindly faced physician had
told her the cause Of the harassing
pain In her side, and ended with a
statement that involved the word "qp-
Grafton"
On the evening that the verdict had
been given, her faithful and unobtru-
sive lover, Elmer Horton, who had
worked in her old office came to see
her; and before she realized what be
was doing, in his quiet way he had
drawn from her some Of her fears and
doubts. The steadfast love In his
eyes-and they were not handsome
eyes-may have been the cause.
ITS the Barker luck, Elmer" she
said, smiling bravely. alone in this
big, big world"
"You forget me-" he broke In, his
steady eyes twinkiing.
She choked an instructive desire 70
hug him. "You old dear, how faithful
and kind you have been to me; anil
you know ! never can love you"
Perhaps" he answered, smiling at
her mood.
"Ah. l wonder!' Then her smile
twisted a bit. swell, J must have Il
done; but the money end of it--rm
poor as Jobs turkey-was 1t Jobs
turkey? Hold on!'' Her chin was
%quivering, but her eyes were smiling.
81 have one thousand dollars after all
Did you know that?"
He p~rofessed great astonishment.
"Some one did love me enough to
give me one thousand dollars" She
hunted through an old wallet that evil
IDENTIFY contained cherished treasures
and drew out a rumpled check You
remember old Mr.. Prnit-"
do /? He used to sit and ramble
on by the hour with you while ! was
only asking for five minutes to make
love to you"
She shook her head warningly.
"None of that. Well, l did try to be
good to him. He was a little out of
his head, you know. Just before his
last sickness he came in and gave me
this check with a great flourish. YoH
know he always talked of having
money. I'm glad he thought he had.
Poor old tender-hearted man, the land
lady told me the city had to bury him
at its own expense Her eyes shad.
owed.
He took the check quickly. The
writing was so cratic that 1t hardly
made sense. Clearly enough. 1t was
the vagary Of an unbalanced mind. yet
It did represent a pleasant memory ;
and Horton sought to divert her mind
from the last thought she had spoken.
She sensed his effort, however. and
smiled back. "Elmer, it's the Barker
luck and I'm going to face 1t In the
way father and mother did. Tomor-
row | go to the hospital. l am going
to let them do as they want to with
me; and afterward - why. after.
ward" She looked at him with
stricken eyes. She knew that weeks
must pass after the operation before
she would be strong enough to take up
work once more; and where was the
money coming from to enable her to
live as she should and grow strong
during those weeks?
He took up the check in desperate
fingers, stirred by the look in her eyes.
"Say, Rose Bee, indorse This check ;
an I'll try to get it through. Per-
haps the old chap did have this
money!"
what are you thinking about? That
check is some old thing he had around.
See how yellow It is! He was a lit.
tie crazy. No, don't be foolish"
He held his fountain pen toward
her.
Endorse here, please" he said, d.
rectly.
"All right, sir" she assented, maxi
ing a game Of II.
He folded the check and placed II
carefully in his pocket. Then he looked
at her hungrily. Rose, is there any
thing I can dor
"Please don't look Mt me that way
She rose, her face white. "You have
been so good to me. so faithful and
kind-I wish I could reward yoH He
had riser, and she put her hands on
his shoulders and looked into his eyes
but l can't give you anything except
my thanks. You might--send me a
few fiowers-if-good-by ="
His big heart could not sneak
through his slow mind. He said awk-
wardly: "Ill remember. And Rose Bee,
remember that the Barker luck nay
take a turn. You know the old saying
mCdernized-'It's n long lane that has
no ashbarrel! So buck-up-and be of
good cheer!' Good-by" /,
- ~w~tI-.l - = IT, D