Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-02
The Barker Luck
copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.l
By A. W. PEACH

copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.l
Rose Barker faced the issue brave
Iy 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
statement that involved the word "op-
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 he
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.
tits the Barker luck, Elmer" she
said, smiling bravely. "Alone In this
big, big world"
"You forget me-" he broke In. his
steady eyes twinkling.
She choked an instructive desire to
hug him. you old dear, how faithful
and kind you have been to me; and
you know / never can love you."
Perhaps" he answered. smiling at
her mood.
"Ah, / wonderl" Then her smile
twisted a bit. "Well, ] must have 1t
done; but the money end Of tim
poor as Jobs turkey-was 1t Jobs
turkey? Hold onl" Her chin was
quivering, but her eyes were smiling.
Il have one thousand dollars after all.
Did you know that?"
He professed great establishment.
"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 rumpled check" You
remember old Mr.. Pruit-"
'Do /? He used to sit and ramble
on by the hour with you while I was
only asking for five minutes to make
love to you"
She shook her head warningly.
"None Of that. Well, / 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. You
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 erratic that it hardly
made sense. Clearly enough, it was
the vagary Of an unbalanced mind, yet
1t did represent 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 l go to the hospital. I 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 1t isl 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.
Cali right, sir" she assented, max
ing a game of 1t.
He folded the check and placed 1t
carefully in his pocket. Then he looked
at her hungrily. Rose, is there any,
thing / can dol?
"Please don't look at me that way"
She rose, her face white. "You have
been so good TO me, so faithful and
kind-I wish could reward you. He
had risen, and she put her hands on
his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"But can't give you anything except
my thanks. You might-send me a
few fiowers-if-good-by"
His big heart could not speak
through his slow mind. He said awk-
wardly: '1ll remember. And Rose Bee,
remember that the Barker luck may
take turn. You know the old saying
modernized-Tt's long lane that has
no ashbarrelP So buck-up-and be of
good cheerl Goodbye
She smiled at his ''modernized say