Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-12-09
THE LUCKY STONE |
BY ELIZABETH r. GREENE.
Jerry was coming home.

the neXt-for what would Uncle Nafs
say when Jerry told him of their love
and future plans?
The troublesome question lay like
cloud upon Anne's happiness, as one
by one her busy fingers tucked away
exquisitely embroidered Linens int"
the little hope chest in her room.
1t was ridiculous to think that the
petty quarrel over the loss Of Il
'lucky" stone should wreck her hap
piness, but Anne knew that her uncle
had a reputation for being set.
which, alas, he managed to live fairl!
we'll up to.
"But he won't spoil my life. just fnI
an old lucky stone!" argued Anne,
one day to. Aunt Jane; as they sat at
their sewing.
Twelve years ago Uncle Nate hac
purchased at q fair in Buxton q glit'
tering red bauble called a lucky
stone.
Then one fateful day-Anne had
never forgotten 1.-THE magic stone
had mysteriously disappeared out OF
Uncle Mates pocket.
It had happened the day that lie
and Jerry's Uncle Cyrus had moved
the south field together. Anne remem'
bered that her uncle had been over
come by the heat and helped to the
house by his old pal. Cyrus. Lying on
the lounge In the cool living room.
Uncle Nate had lapsed into brief un-
consciousness. Later that same day
he had startled them all by annOunc-
ing the loss of the lucky" stone.
Then one dreadful day Uncle Nate.
tremulous with anger, had stamped
into the kitchen and wrathful!y de
clared to Anne and Aunt Jane that
Cyrus had stolen the lucky stone" y
Thus matters stood when one May
afternoon Anne walked slowly along
the dusty road, from trip in town.
That her uncle would never consent
to her marrying Jerry, the nephew Of
his old enemy, Anne knew only tco
well; but Jerry, joyous, undaunted
Jerry, still confidently believed thai
Uncle Nate could be "won over"
Absorbed in her thoughts, Anne took
the narrow footpath leading across
lots to Aunt James, quite unconscious
that q tall, khaki-clad figure was bur,
rying joyously after her.
The third time that Jerry whiStled.
Anne turned and looked behind her.
"Jerry-where on earth did yor
come from?" she cried joyouSly, as hei
lover flung an arm, wearing two god
service stripes, quickly about her.
''Glad to see me, little girl" &c
Asked eagerly.
"Yes," breathed Anne, "but-" She
turned away her eyes. How could
she make him understand the hope,
leSsnesS Of their love?
Jerry, seeing her unhappy face
quickly OWNED its meaning.
Don't worry about Uncle Nate
sweetheart" he said cheerily. "Tm
going right now to beard the lien
So together they crossed the pas
ture to the field where Uncle Nat'
was planting Here Anne left Jerr!
to make his way alone to her uncle.
Anne was in the garden when Jerry
white and determined, strobe up to
her. "You were right, Ahne," he SAT-
bitterly, "about Uncle Nate"
"Oh, Jerry, I told you So" falterec
Anne, woman-llke. "What did he say?
"That, no niece of his should MARI!
the nephew of thief"
Anne nodded. You see, it's as
told you," she said. "Our only hope is
to find the lucky stone"
"Anne, III not give you up for Q
dozen Uncle Mates. When will yor
marry me-"
"The day I'm twenty-one," she
flashed, catching his spirit.
"But that's whole year away!
Jerry looked disappointed.
Eyes; but perhaps We'll find the
SIOUt DcIOIc-
After Jerry had gone, Anne returned
to the house. Despite her lovers as
suring words. she felt depressed.
Presently soft footsteps sounded out
side her door.
"Anne, dear"
Anne's answer was a sob. Thcr
quietly Aunt Jane opened the door ant
came in. Tenderly she smoothed II
silent sympathy Anne's silken hall
that had escaped from its pins. There
was no need of words between them
But after Anne had had her "cry'
she felt better.
Left alone, Anne proceeded to rear
range her disordered locks. Findin!
one of the pins missing, and thinking
that perhaps it had slipped into th'
crevice in the. back of the lounS'
she ran her fingers into the opening
Something hard touched her hand
Drawing it forth, familiar red ston'
met her astonished gaze.
"The lucky stone" cried Anne In
credulously; remembering suddenl,
that this was the lounge upon whicl
her uncle had lain the day he hat
suffered from ,sunstroke, so long ago
The stone must have fallen from hi
pocket then and lodged in the lounge
where it had remained hidden all theS'