Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-08-31
Good Luck!
By Evsly. Lee

Angus Joyce stood reading over the
bill of fare Of a cheap restaurant
pasted on its street window. He cal
culated, fumbled the single coin In his
pocket and started toward the open
door.
A foot away was a young man thin
ly and poorly clad.
The manly impulse Of helpfulness
and generosity in Joyce's nature came
to the surface. He linked his arm In
that Of the invalid and said genially:
II have just enough for two por-
tions Of that plate dinner. Will you
join me?"
"You-you understand" stam-
mered the other.
"That we are probably In the same
boat, hungry" intimated Joyce gently.
"Oh, yes! It's my last half dollar, but
| shall enjoy sharing 1t with one In
somewhat harder lines, and he touched
the hand that leaned heavily on the
cane. Let me play the penny philan-
thropist. 1t may change my luck"
1T will bring you good luck, yes,"
spoke the other solemnly. "Take my
prophecy, and shan't forget you In a
hurry" and then, gentlemen both, they
discussed the plain but simple meal as
enjoyably as though 1t was a royal
banquet.
you are the first real man have
met in long time. VIII you give me
your address? I may be able to re-
member your goodness in time to
come" said the beneficiary.
II have none," replied Joyce prompt
ly. "The truth is, unless / get work
today l can hardly return to my land
lady,"
II have a shelter, it Is humble, poor,
but paid for up to Saturday night. Let
me pencil 1t down for you. Promise
me to share 1t with me If park bench
Is facing YOU"
81 agree" pledged Joyce, and they
parted.
Joyce had a number Of prospects.
The failure of a firm where he had
held n lucrative position deprived him
of some money he had invested with
them, and his salary for an entire
month. He had sought new position
but it was in the vacation season.
At street car intersection he found
q nickel, invested it in some cheap
rolls and betook himself to a little
park. It began to rain. He Travelled
from shelter to shelter. CHANGING to
note number Of doorway he had
entered he discerned that he had
reached the address of Robert Page"
Joyce through inquiry was directed to
q wretched room In the attic. A candle
burned, but the apartment had no ten
ant at the present time. Joyce sat
down, glad to rest. Then his eye fell
upon a table. He could not help but
notice there a newspaper clipping. 1t
read:
"Winston Page, sol Buena terrace,
will be rendered banquet at the
Metropole by his banker associates
this evening. He leaves for Europe
with his daughter on the seventh"
Beside this was written sheet and
an envelope At that moment Robert
Page entered the room.
"You!" he cried In accents Of Joy.
ut seems you are always to be OF
service to me. Friend, more than that
brother, my whole future depends
upon the delivery Of letter by nine
O'Clock tonight. have no money to
employ q messenger"
command me, as always" an
nounced Joyce cheerily.
"There Is the address," said Page,
and he placed the letter In an en-
yelope. "'Aiiss Alvira Page, sol Buena
terrace Wait until after nine, for by
then-a-a person who might question
you will have left the house."
II was well after nine when Joyce
reached>a residence on an exclusive
street. It's front door stood open. He
penetrated the vestibule. In the hall,
lying fiat upon the floor, bound and
gagged, was liveried servant. Joyce
surmised something wrong. He re-
leased the man. whats the troubleT'
he asked rapidly.
"Looters. They have forced my
young mistress to take them to the
plateroom where the Jewel cases are"
The released captive led Joyce into
library, tore open wall case and
provided both with weapons.
"You remain below and telephone
for the police" directed Joyce and he
stole up the stairs. He glanced
through the open doorway Of lighted
room. In a chair over which lowered
a burly ruffian with pistol crouched
a girl whose beauty was dimmed with
the pallor of terrible dread. Load
ing into a sack the opulent contents
| of a brass bound chest was second
ruffian. His weapon lay upon stand
With a quick dash Joyce possessed
himself Of the pistol and. doubly
armed, covered both Of the baffled
burglars.
It was not until the police had di
| vested the thieves Of their booty and
taken them In charge that Joyce found
an opportunity to deliver the letter tc
Miss Page. In a flutter Of wild agita
| ton she at once insisted that he take
her to her brother.
Amid the squalor Of the wretchet
tenement room Angus Joyce witnessed
the restoration to his family Of reck
less youth, a wanderer from the home
roof. His part in the same, his rescue
Of the Page diamonds and plate from
the looters made him three stancf
friends.
And Robert Page had called hin
"brother,h and when year had gone
by and Angus Joyce had regained hi.
old social position there was reason tt
believe that the prophecy OF good for
tune was to come to fullness complete
Largest Motor ship.