Williams news., 1919-12-05
The Barker Luck By A. W. PEACH
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
 paper Syncicate.)
By A. W. PEACH

Rose Barker faced the issue brave ly as she had faced other difficult prob lens in days past. Without any par ticular sahility except willingness 10 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- eration."
 On the evening that the verdict had been given. her faithful and unohtru- 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.
 '1t's the Barker luck. Elmer." she said. smiling bravely. "Aione in this big. big world"
 7 You forget me-" he broke in. his steady eyes twinkling.
 She choked an instinctive desire to hug him. "You old dear. how faithful and kind you have been to me; and you know l never can love you"
 Perhaps" he answered, smiling at her mood,
 ..Ah. wonderi" Then her smile twisted a bit "well.. must have 1t done: but the money end of it-rn poor as Joh's furkeN-was it Jobs turkey? Hold on !';'a-. Her chin was quivering. but her eyes were smiling. q have one. thousand dollars after all. Did you Know thaf?''
 He profeSsetl great astonishment.
 e ..Spme one did love me enough to give. me one thousand dollars" She hunted through an old walIef that evi- dently contained cherished treasures. and drew out a rumpIed check" You remember old Mir. Pruit-''
 Do I? 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. .eNone of that. Well. did try to he good to him. He was ittle out of his head you know. Just before his last sickness he came in and gave me this check with 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 it's own expense" Her eyes shad- owed.
 He took the check quickly. The writing was so cratic that it hardly made sense. Clearly enough. it was the vagary Of an unbalanced mind. yet it did represent a 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 fare il in the way father and mother did. Tomor- row I go to the hospitats 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 hefore she would he strong enough to take up work once more: and where was the money coming from to enable her to live sas she should and grow strong during those weeks?
 He took up the check in desperate fingers. stirred by the look in her eves
 "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 it isl He was lit- tie crazy No. don't he foolish"
 He held his fountain pen toward her.
 Endorse here. please" he said. di- rectly.
 ''All right. sir" she assented. nak ing game 6f it.
 He fe.ded the check and placed it carefully in his pocket. Then he looked at her hungrily. Rose. is there any thing can do?"
 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 hahds on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "But can't. give you anything except my thanks. You might-send me a few f1owers-if-good-by
 His big heart could not speak through his slow mind. He said awk wardly: ''Tll remember And Rose Bee. remember that the Barker luck may take a turn. You know the old saying modernized-'It's long lane that has no ashbarrelr So huck-up-and be of good cheerl Good-by!''
 She smiled at his s'rnoderniZpd saw ing" because she knew he wished her to; but after he had gone she stood long in silence, and realizing as she l,.oa Il,