The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-08-21
THE LUCKY STONE
BY ELIZABETH r. GREENE.
Jerry was coming home.


and future plans?
The troublesome question lay like
cloud upon Anne's happiness, as one
by one her busy fingers tucked away
exquisltely embroidered linens into
the little hope chest in her room.
1t was ridiculous to think that the
petty quarrel over the loss of
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 fairly
well up to-
"But he won't spoil my life, just for
an old lucky stone!" argued Anne,
one day to Aunt Jane; as they sat Mt
their sewing
Twelve years ago Uncle Nate had
purchased at fair in Buxton gilt
tering red bauble called a lucky"
stone.
Then one fateful day-Anne had
never forgotten 1.-THE magic stone
had mysteriousIy disappeared out Of
Uncle Mates pocket.
1t had happened the day that he
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 I'M
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 wrathfully de-
clared 10 Anne and Aunt Jane that
Cyrus had stolen the lucky stone :"
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 too
well; but Jerry joyous, undaunted
Jerry, still confidently believed that
Uncle Nate could he "won over"
Absorbed in her thoughts, Anne took
the narrow footpath leading across
lots to Aunt James, quite unconscious
that tall, khaki-clad figure was hur-
rying joyously after her.
The third time that Jerry whistled,
Anne turned and looked behind her.
"Jerry-where on earth did you
come from she cried ioyouSly, as her
lover flung an arm, wearing two gold
service stripes, quickly about her.
Glad TO see me, little girl?' lie
asked eagerly.
Yes breathed Anne. but" She
turned away her eyes. How could
she make him understand the hore-
lesSness Of their love?
Jerry, seeing her unhappy face,
quickly OWNED lis meaning.
Don't worry about Uncle Nate,
sweetheart" he said cheerily. Tn
going right now TO beard the lion"
SO together they crossed the pas
ture To the field where Uncle Nate
was planting. Here Anne left jerry
to make his way alone TO her uncle.
Anne was in the garden when Jerry.
white and determined, strobe up 10
her. You were right, Anne" he sand
bitterly 'about Uncle Nate"
"Oh, Jerry, told you So" faltered
Anne, woman-like. what did he say?'
"That no niece Of his should marry
the nephew Of a thief
Anne nodded. you see. it's as
told YOU she said Our only hope is
to find the lucky stone"
Anne. I'll not give Won up. for n
dozen Uncle Mates. When will you
marry me?"
"The day I'm twenty-onc," she
flashed, catching his spirit
"But that's a whole year away"
Jerry looked disappointed
"Yes; but perhaps Wen find the
stone before"
After Jerry had gone, Anne returned
TO the house. Despite her lovers as
surfing words, she felt depressed.
Presently soft footsteps sounded out
side her door.
"Anne, dear"
hhbt hhSNtl was u SUI. IUtn
quietly Aunt Jane opened the door and
came in. Tenderly she smoothed in
silent sympathy Annes sllken hair
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. Finding
one of the pins missing and thinking
that perhaps it had slipped into the
crevice in the back of the lounge
she ran her fingers into the opening.
Something hard touched her hand.
Drawing it forth, familiar red stone
met her astonished gaze.
THE lucky stone!" cried Anne In
credulously; remembering suddenly
that this was the lounge upon which
her uncle had lain the day he had
suffered from sunstroke, so long ago.
The stone must have fallen from his
pocket then and lodged in the lounge,
where it had remained hidden all these
years.
you've kept your secret pretty well,
old lounge" said Anne aloud, but I've
found you out at last"