The Snowflake herald., 1919-08-29
"a House on
Wheels
80
BY T. B. ANDERSON

Lucia Trever feared Aaron Walters
because he held over her absolute con-
troll and power. When her father died
leaving her large estate he selected
Walters as her guardian until she was
eighteen. His wife had been fash
ing beauty Of the footlights and their
first born, Hector, had inherited her
vivacity and love of excitement. He
had not her sterling worth OF soul and
character, however. had gone to the
dogs swiftly, and after both mother
and son died and John Trever HIM
self was stricken with fatal disease.
he thought gloomily of the uncertain
future of his remaining child.
Il have made a will giving you en-
tire charge of Lucia" Mr.. Trever told
Walters. / can confide to you that
fear the gypsy. Bohemian traits which
only made my dear wife charming, but
In Hector developed into reckless vaga-
bondage. Lucia must marry before
she is eighteen or the bulk of my for
tune goes to charity
For five years Lucia lived with the
Walters people. 1t was q lonely, de-
pressed existence. Everything was
kept from her that could develop
longing for change. entertainment or
c0mpanionship. When Lucia was four
teen Mrs. Walters died. For a few
months there was housekeeper Then
Walters sent Lucia to an old aunt of
his who kept small boarding school.
Lucia was just past seventeen when
Walters took her for a weeks vaca-
tiOn to his gloomy house. While Lucia
was there a cousin of his, young
man manner Jasper Trull, repellant to
Lucia in every way, came and went,
and essayed to make an impression
upon her. The day that Walters took
Lucia back TO the school he said:
Lucia, you will not have to remain
much longer here. Then you will be
eighteen and my guardianship of you
ends. As you know. you must marry
before your next birthday, and / have
acted in accordance with the wishes
of your dead father. / have selected
an estimable young man as. your hus-
band-Jasper Trull."
Lucia said not a word, and Walters
supposed that she had meekly mute
ly submitted to her fate but Lucia
shuddered whenever she thought of
Trull, with his grim, awkward ways.
She set her lips firmly in defiance as
she outlined a plan of escaping the
fate her tyrant guardian had in store
for her. He appeared one day, driv-
ing an old wreck of an automobile.
''You are to come home with me" he
said. 81 have employed lady to act
as housekeeper and help you prepare
for your new life.
Firmly Lucia made up her mind to
escape, Fate favored her. They had
proceeded about 20 miles when, at the
edge of slough, the automobile sank
to its hubs. Walters hailed farmer
driving by with a team of mules. the
team was at once transferred to the
machine, Walters pushing behind the
auto and the farmer at its side.
Gently pull that lever just enough
to give the auto a start" Walters di-
rected Lucia. There was jar. the af-
frighted mules made spring. Shak
ing off Walters into the mud and tear
ing the lines from the grasp Of the
farmer, they dashed out of the rut
and down the road, a runaway indeed
1t was at the end Of mile that
Lucia leaped from the auto, darted into
a stretch of woodland, and felt that
she was free at last. She hurried on
and on, thinking only of evading re-
capture. AS she reached a country
road, it began to rain. Lucia was wet
and chilled when wagon overlook
her. 1t had strengthening top on
it: a young man was its driver and a
woman appeared at the door of the
tourist vehicle.
"Get in If you want lift" suggest
ed the young man, and there began a
new and delightful chapter in Lucia's
young life. The occupants of the car
were brother and sister, Roland and
Marcia Brooke, both artists, taking
their summer outing.
There seemed to arise mutual lik-
ing between them. Lucia told only
enough of her story to apprize these
SYMPATHETIC friends that she was flee
ing from persecution and forced mar
riage with a man she despised. There
was room in their house on wheels and
In their hearts for this homeless waif,
and the glories of the universe burst
npon her radiant vision amid the syl-
van beauties of scenes they passed
through.
"Oh.. have something to tell you!"
exclaimed Lucia one day in her Inn
petuous way, approaching spot where
Roland sat fishing. II almost forgot.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and | must
get married"
"Why! what are you talking about,
T,ucia ?" he inquired, startled at her in
genuous eagernegs. !.
"Oh. | must, you know, because"
She hesitated as to making full
exclamation, and added simply: $50