Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-02-05

because he held over her absolute con
troll and power. When her father died
| leaving her a large estate he selected
Walters as her guardian until she was
eighteen. His wife had been a flash
ing beauty of the footlights and their
first born, Hector, had Inherited her
viVncity aud love of excitement lie
had not her sterling worth of soul aud
character. however. had gone so the
dogs swiftly. and after both mother
and son died and John Trever him
self WAS stricken with "a fatal disease
lie thought gloomily of the uncertain
future of his remaining child.
II have made will giving you en-
tire charge of Lucia" Mr. Trever told
Walters. | q; cOnhde To you that |
fear the gypsy. Bohemian traits which
only made my dear wife charming, hut
In Hector developed into reckless yaga-
bondage Lucia must marry before
she is eighteen or the hulk of my for
tune goes TO charity.
For five years Lucia lived with the
Walters people. II was n lonely, de-
pressed existence. Everything was
kept from her that could develop .
longing for change. entertainment or
eompanionshp. When Lucia was four.
teen Mrs. Walters died. For few
| months there was q housekseper. Then
Walters sent Lucia to en- old aunt OF
his who kept a small boarding school.
Lucia was just past seventeen when
Walters took her for q weeks vsca-
| ton 10 his gloomy house. While Lucia
was there cousin OF his. q young
man manner Jasper Trun. rspeilsnt TO
Lncia In every way, came and went.
| ana esssyed tn make all impression
upon her. The day that Walters took
Lucia back TO the school he said.
Lucia you will not have 10 remain
much longer here. Then you win he
eighteen and my guardianship OF you
ends. A. you know. you must marry
before your next birthday, and I have
acted in accordance with the wishes
of your dead father. have selected
an estimable young man as your hus-
hand-IaSper Trull"
Lucia said not word aud Walters
supposed that she had meekly, mute
~ submitted 10 her fate but Lucia
shuddered whenever she thought Of
Trul. with his grim, awkward ways.
She set her lips firmly in defiance rs
She outlined plan of escaping The
fate her tyrant guardian had In store
for her He appeared one day. driv-
Ing HI old wreck Of an automobile
You are 10 come home With me-" he
said II hnve employed lady 10 act
rs hou>ekeeper and help YOU prepare
for your new life.
Firmly Lucia made up her mind to
escape. Fate favored her They had
proceeded about 20 miles when. at the
edge OF Il slough, the automobile sank
to its hubs Walters hailed a farmer
driving by with team Of mules, the
team was al once transferred 90 the
machine, Walters pushing behind the
auto 0nd the farmer az It's side.
Gently pun rhol lever Just enough
10 give the auto a start" Walters di
rectcd Lucia. There was jar, the az
frighted mules made spring Shak
ing on Walters Into tho mud and tear
Ing the lines from the grasp OF The
farmer they dashed oui OF the rut
and d0wn.the road. Il runaway indeed
Ii was ut the end of mile that
Lucia leaped from The auto. darted into
Il stretch of woodland. and felt that
She was free ut last. she hurried on
and on thinking only of evading re-
capture. As she reached q country
road. II began TO rain. Lucia was wet
and chilled when a wagon overlook
her II had a strange looking top on
it; young man was It's driver and
woman appeared at the door Of the
tourist vehicle.
Get in IL YOU want a lift suggest
ed the young man, aud there began n
new and delightful chapter in Tucia's
young NE The occupants OF the car
were brother and sister. Roland and
Marcia Brooke, both artists, taking
their summer outing
There seemed 10 arise a mutual llk-
Jug between them. Lucia told only
enough Of her story 10 apprize these
sympathetic friends that she was fee
lug from anu lti''N
rlag- with u man she despised. There
was room ia their house on wheels and
in their hearts FOR this homeless walf,
and the glorles Of the universe burst
upon her radiant vision amid the syl-
van beauties OF scenes they passed
through.
"Oh. | have something to tell YOU
exclaimed Lucia one day In her I'M
petuous way. approaching spot where
Roland sat fishing. IL almost forgot.
TomorrcN is my birthday, and | must
get married.
why what are YOU talking about,
Lucia?' he inquired. startled at her in
geuuouS eagerness.
"Ch, | must YOU know. because"
She hesitated as to making full
exploration and added simply: $50
those two men cannot make me go
back. You must find me a husband,
Mr. Brooke. OH. surely you must And
rigltt off-tOuaV p"