The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-12-28
THE FORTUNE
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN

teller and the gypsy told him that his
future success would depend upon the
woman that influenced 1t.
1.-THE woman you love shall rule your
destiny" said Roma. beware, then,
whom you choose"
Duncan, later, it seemed, had little
to do with that choice. Love de-
scended upon him suddenly, and he ac-
copied it. Lola laughed up at him
out of her care-free eyes.
II must go to this dance" she said,
land to that play, and we must ride
here in taxi, and there / must carry
rare flowers; and always, you shall
pay the piper" Not in so many words
did Lola make her demands, but as
time passed, as lmperatively. Dun
can striving and striving to make his
bookkeeper's salary stretch TO the d.
mansions of his sweetheart's desires,
was at last, in desperation, driven to
give 1t up. Then he lost his position
in the big manufacturing concern
he was behind in his accounts When
at last the books were properly bal
anced Duncan was in his boarding
place-jobless.
"You will never make any kind of
a man." Lola said contemptuously. you
will always be poor, and going down.
It's your lack Of purpose" Lola had
new and prosperous admirer; but
her words were prophetic.
Duncan, still jobless, grew poorer.
In his Encouragement, fighting against
fate seemed futile, He grew purpose
less indeed and so poor that he packed
his small belongings, and with no.
mad Instinct, made for the woods. The
particular wooded country toward
which he Travelled was one rich in
lumber manufacture, where great logs
fioated down stream and where num-
bers of wOrkmen camped on the banks.
Duncan did not join the workmen, he
was convinced now Of his own va
grancy. And so in a log hut with
a fireplace, and his books against the
crude walls he made his home; pass
ing the days hunting fishing, or even
doing petty Jobs for the settlers.
One day when he waited at the boat
landing for 10 to come back with the
mail, Duncan felt an unaccountable
sense of excitement, surely not &C.
casioned by the expected magazine for
which he subscribed. And when 10
placed white envelope In his hand,
Duncan was scarcely surprised by this
unusual happening.
"Some old sweetheart hunting you
up" 10 remarked while Duncan stared
as he read. 1t was not exactly an old
sweetheart, but an old schoOlmate who,
after all the separated years. sought
him out In writing.
"You will remember Lily, am sure"
said the letter, though | was only
ifteen-year-o school girl when we
said our farewells at Hampton. But
| know you have succeeded to all the
heights of our class prophecy, and are
now rich and growing richer lumber
man. At least I've been told that
they all end that way-the men who
go out to the great forests to study
their work from its beginning. Lola
Sanderson happened to tell me, when
we met recently, that you were out in
the very wllds that Brother Jack and
| intend to visit on our motor trip,
taking a clrcuitous route. He Is pro-
fessionally interested in forestry, and
l am writing with the request that
you will be kind enough to meet an
old schOolmate, and give us the bene-
fit of your escort through that sec
ton. shall know you, undoubtedly,
even though you have grown to mans
estate. With best wishes for still fur
ther success, and hoping promptly to
follow this note, l am,
LILY ORMAND DALE.
Across Duncan's face flashed an I'M
accustomed smile. or course he re-
mcmbered Lily Dale. Little Lily,
grown up and coming to see him with
lltl lilillTplrAlit- w blptlltis
Success" he laughed harshly. Then
Duncan turned to Langdon, the over
seer. Confusedly he made confession.
"You meet her, Langdon," he begged.
Hold her off, any way"
The shrewd man smiled his affec-
ton.
"See here, Duncan he said, why
can't you act the part for one day.
Get shave, get dressed, and--TH put
Katherine wise; she will let you use
our bungalow to entertain your guests
In. Probably she would like to serve
tea to them; you can let on you board
there Katherine will be glad of the
excitement. She's mighty lonely at
times, poor woman, though she won't
admit 1t to her husband. Go to 1t,
Duncan. Act the part the girl thinks
you are living"
And Duncan did. And when no had
hidden Lily Dale goodby that eve
ming, Duncan went, his heart and
mind filled with dreams, to Langdon
the oyerseer.
Il want a chance in your Office" he
said earnestly, "a chance to make
good. ! want to be what--that girl
thinks / am"
And because Duncan was not alone
In his dreaming, he did make good.
LILY, back in the shelter of her
own white bedroom, lifted framed
snapshot from It's place on the dresser,
place 1t had held through many
years.
Duncan has not changed his am.
bitions,' murmured Lily; che is just
the anmnn