Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-12-18
. =. J. = On
LUCAS
Choice
oN
By sAIDEE 3. BALLOON
(Cepyfisht. 1913. ~ the western News.
paper U1leA)


and was retiring from business. He
had been liberal and indulgent en-
ployer, and when the establishment
he had founded was transferred to
others he summoned four Of his for
mer department heads to his home.
Boys" he said familiarly and af-
fectionately, you have helped me
make my business successful and
profitable, and / am going to make
each of you a present of $4,000. I
am going to do something else You
are all young, unmarried, have worked
hard, need rest, and invite the
four OF you to join me in trip around
the world at my expense"
That's just like your dear old gen.
erous self" exclaimed Water Morse,
always exlberant and laxative. 1.-THE
idea is fine. 1t will give you varia-
ton and will broaden us young ones"
You have been regular father to
us and we will be jolly party" added
CLIFTON Adam. Just as responsive and
as much pleased were Newton Lund
and Randall Wickersham, who ex-
pressed their appreciation and &C.
ceptance of the invitation. In the
room where they sat was full-length
portrait of beautiful girl, the daugh-
ter of the house. Four pairs of ewes
more than once strayed to this, and
Mr.. Merton secretly noted this and
chuckled. From Morse, the aggressive
and boisterous, down to Wickersham,
quiet and undemonstrative, each one
OF the quartet was in love with Lucia
Merton. II Mr.. Merton had been IA
therly Lucia was sisterly, and her in.
valid mother as well looked upon 1.-THE
boys" as she called them, with friend
~ interest. No one Of the quartet
was over twenty-five, their lives had
been clear and clean, and father and
mother believed that some one OF the
group would some day win the love
of their only child.
As to Lucia, life was to her the gold
en- dream of a petted, happy girl.
kind to everybody and saddened only
by the confirmed illness of her mother.
Mrs. Merton had been under medical
care for nearly five years. The great
er part Of the time she was so weak
and nervous that she was confined to
her room. and her physician was not
only puzzled, but In despair over her
case. She had taken marked fancy
to young Wickersham. and his SYM
pathy and sollcitude for her welfare
had somehow drawn Lucia closer to-
ward him than to the others.
There was a farewell dinner and
Mr.. Merton and his animated fellow
travellers started out to circumnavi-s
gate the globe. Each one Of us ia
going to bring you back famous me-
mento of the wonderful trip we con-
template" announced the buoyant
Morse. We shall ransack both. hem
rispheres for something worth having"
= Seven months later, bronzed. travel
worn, but pictures Of radiant health,
every one of the little group returned.
There were entertaining stories to tell
of what they had seen and exciting adj
ventures to relate. Thus, Lund, who
had visited an ostrich farm, had been
chased a mile by one tof6tfe powerful
birds. and Wickersham was lost In the
mountains OF India for a week while
looking up a famous Hindu doctor
said to have effected some remarkable
cures of disease
Morse had brought Lucia string of
exquisite pearls gathered in far
East fishery, Adams presented some
seal fur trimmings from Alaska, Lnnd
rendered some ostrich plumes, Wick
ersham had brought. a dainty Floren-
tine carved pin, simple but precious
Lucia welcomed these true and cher
ished friends with warmth and glad
ness. AS soon as the first greetings
We're over Wickersham said to Lucia:
II would like to see your mother
Is she better or worse?''
Lucia led the way to an upper apart
ment, saying that there was little
change in the condition of Mrs. Mer-
ton. She left the two together. There
was pleased, excited expression on
understands face when he returned
downstairs, and Lucia looked curious.
With the following day her mother
was in improved condition, and this
went on until by the end of the month
she was able to be about all OF the
time. and few weeks later all her
ailments had disappeared.
ooh. mother!' spoke Lucia one day,
what does this happy transformation
mean?"
at means Randall Wickersham." re-
piled Mrs. Merton. 1--WE have both
held a secret shall now disclose to
you. While in India. Mr.. Wickersham
heard Of wonderful native doctor
who had performed some incredible
cures. He nearly lost his life in reach.
ing the remote home of the man, to
whom he described all my symptoms.
The Hindu diagnosed my case as
poison of certain nerves, gave him
precious phial of medicine; and am
perfectly well again, thanks to the
thoughtfulness and faith of Mr.. Wick
ersham. We did not tell you or the
others for fear Of disappointment"
The day came when, within few
hours Lucia Merton knew that she
must decide which one of her four
lovers she would accept. She looked
with pleasure at the beautiful ostrich
plumes, the seal trimmings, the string
Of pearls, and then at her mother.
The gift Of quiet unassuming Randall
Wickersham had been life, health,
happiness for her dear mother. Craft