The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-02-14
135e
Lost Page
01
Copyright. 1919. by the Western Newa-
paper Union.)
By CECILLE LANGDoN

unlSned letter to friend Mt the sea-
Aue' IL was six pages in length and,
IN gathering up the loose sheets and
toiding them later, Lucy Barton did
not notice that one of them, the last.
was missing The wind had blown 1t
away.
mat last page bore the final para.
graph of the epistle and read: II shall
not visit Ocean Beach this season.
winnie, dear. | suppose it is because
am little homelike being and too
closely analyze the superficial beaux
and bellies of idle social life. My dream
Is modest one-a sweet little cot
tage, covered with roses, a cuckoo
clock and dairy. AS to the life part
ner' with all this happy beauty he
must simply love me-"
A shy, retiring young man passed
the place an hour lateg. As no neared
the Barton home he walked slowly
ana saw to it that his cuffs were adj
Justed and his necktie smooth and
neat. He looked disappointed as he
peered past the trees and shrubbery
OF the garden. Gordon Heath had met
Lucy Barton twice and longed earnest
iy TO meet her again. AS he reached
the edge of the lot a sheet of paper,
caught up from the garden by fitful
breeze, almost blew into his face. He
caught it in his hand and was about
TO throw it away when he noticed the
words, Your faithful friend, Lucy
Barton"
1t made the finger tips of shy Cor
don Heath thrill to come in contact
with words the adorable Lucy had
written. His glance rested on the
paragraph preceding the signature.
Reverently Gordon folded the rose-col-
ored, violet-scented page, placed it in
mis- pocket and half a mile further on
sat down on a bench In little park
and was lost in deep reflection.
That evening he met Lucy at lit
tie social function and was her escort
home. AS they parted Lucy read his
eager, though mute. wishes Alright She
invited Gordon to call at the house
and he went away blssfully treadlng
on air.
Lucy was amazed at the liking she
began to conceive for this casual ac-
quaintance who soon developed into
regular escort. He had not the cour-
age to seek the initial situation
that would give him the right to speak
out his sentiments, and Lucy did not
award it. One day there was reve-
lation. Arrangements had been made
for a tennis party at the Barton place
and half dozen of those invited had
arrived. They were chatting animat-
edly when Neil Brown caused Lucy to
flush slightly as he observed: II say,
who can solve for me the mystery of
Gordon Heaths latest thrift move
ment?"
"Why, what is it?" propounded his
sister
"Dacre, the real estate man, told me
today that he had sold the Morse cot
tage to Heath"
"Aha That solves a branch mys-
terry" broke in Roy Telford II saw
Gordon up at the nursery last week
ordering enough rose bushes to cover
a farm"
"And a carpenter came into our
place this morning and arranged for
material to put up little up-to-date
dairy on the place Heath has bought"
said Val Endicott. Hes certainly
going to get married. Lucy, how is
that?"
Lucy was growing as red as peony.
"Why do you ask me?" she fluttered
but just then a new arrival was OBJ
served at the gate and Gordon Heath
approached. Mercy Brown tease that
she was, advanced to meet him.
"Oh, Mr.. Heath, the secret is out"
she cried.
"NNhy, what do you mean?" interro-
gated Heath.
e--rOses-dairy We are all
Wild to know who you intend to put
in that pretty home you have bought"
"Why-that is IL purchased it as
an Investment"
"Nobody believes that, and while we
are waiting for the others there is
time to run over to the cottage in
question"
He looked quite uncomfortable as
the imperious group forced him to lead
the way. He never addressed so much
as word to Lucy, at his side.
All about his investment" rose
bushes had been set. Behind 1t was
the frame structure that was to be the
dairy. Lucy and he stood on the
porch. The others scattered about the
place as he unlocked the front door.
''There are five rooms" began
Gordon, when Lucy uttered quick
gasp as her eyes fell upon a clock on
The mantel.
"You see-I mean that is, / have
started in buying a few things and"
There was an interrupting snap as
little door in the clock sprung open
and a little bird ran out, ran back
lgain and chirped:
,"Cuckoo!"
1t recalled to Lucy's mind her letter
D Winnie. She noticed Gordon CROP
ng in his pocket. He brought tH light
he lost sheet.
Miss Barton, found this near your