Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-11-28

hardScrGbbic farm was we'll named
and when John Lyle died and left the
place 10 his son Allan. the latter
viewed his heritage with grimneSs. but
resolve.
Il am going to change it-at least
S4p nature along" declared Allan to
NSlster Sieta. The thousand dollars
gather $50 closely boarded and left us
viii just about fix things up sp;ck and
span and QTadruple the crops Give
me just one year Of my own way. and
I'll show you the modern little farm
OF all Daviss county. Then"
Allan drew in his breath and. his
eyes fixed upon distance. sparkled with
a reflex OF the golden picture he men
tally viewed. Meta smiled secretly.
The artful mink we'll knew the impell-
Ing ideal of the monent-Lura Willis.
She was the daughter OF Il neighbor
with large family, and the only girl
Allan had ever loved. Outspokcnly,
they VERT as yet no more than friends.
but all Rockton decided they would
mate some day. and Lura silently but
delightfully."- blushed when the soft i'm
parchment was limited at by her girl
friends. AS to Allan, his dream of life
was to see Lura queen of Hardscrab-
bic developed into an Eden spot
through his cherished ideas Of inten-
sive farming. Lura came over to see
Meta one day, with q bewlldering piece
of news
What do you think!" she spoke.
my rich relatives in the city, Uncle
Il Not~@
have sent for me to come and live
with them. You know they are very
wealthy and have no children. and
they write that I must live with them
Tor year and 20 to Il seminary near
their home. and when the year is over
decide to become their adopted daugh-
ter or return home, as I elect"
That is grand" replied Meta cheer
ingly, but by no means enthuscd "Of
course YOU Will! see lots of the world
and live in luxury. and all That; but
what about Allani"
"Why. what do You maan?" MUIR
1nured Lura equivOcalIy and flush
ing and pnling by turns.
He will miss you drcadful!y, Lura,"
said Meta. "You don't know how much
he thinks Of you, dear"
mo, I don't" fiuttcrcd Lura "but
] hope he does. He has been n true
good friend, and I shall miss him,
TOO"
'Iura." said Meta with some gray
lty, you are perhaps more to him
than he to you. but don't forget him.
the dear fellow! I want to show YOU
n silver arch in the garden. Upon It
knife had cut the outline Of two
hearts entwlned
Lura's eyes expressed suppressed
sentiment az she viewed the present
ment. one day originated Ivy Allan
when they were together. Both had
laughed in gentle badinage over the
time-worn nonsense Of lovers. but now
IT had deeper meaning for. removing
small section OF bark Of the birch.
Meta revealed an aperture. g..
This seems 10 he Allan's treasure
house" said Meta. and thought it
right TO have you know what It con-
fainS. See, little mementoes Of his
mountaineering with YOU" and Meta
brought 10 light faded nosegay, a,
dried-np four-leaf clover. q cherished
bit Of ribbon and some scrawIed sheet
OF paper.
''What are those?" inquired the curl
Gus Lus7,
f""irE-"r Allan thinks it IS. Here
IS III" beginning OF one: Dearest
Iura. To YOU VIII he TRUE
Luz" S'iZed pencil lying in the
HiiHu" c"hhy'h"i" and wrote under
IN" line: And !. sweetheart. tic very
same L" YOU ana. Kissing th" scrap OF
paper nni All emotion and bushes,
I-nrh rhi away rs Alan was seen mp
ITOaCElng in IN" distance.