Hyder weekly herald., 1934-08-18
Warren Luck By SIDNEY WINTHROP
Q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
 WNu Service

dnu uOWn LUCK ElFer lndt tulHSS would happen to . Warren as sure as he was born. It had been so from the beginning-witness the voyage of Gill Hard, the earliest comer across the mountains from Carolina. He had loaded -latboat for New Orleans with the yield of his own fat, fresh land, sold out the second day after his jour- ney ended for what seemed a fab ulous price. then, going from the mar ket. had met and fallen deep In love with Carolotta Woodruff-whom he married three days later.
 When Gilllard died fifteen years la. ter, leaving Cariotta five thousand rich acres, six sons and ready money in both pockets, she carried on just as If he were still there to comfort and counsel her.
 To her grief she lived to see the name passing 0ut--Warren daughters had far. far. outnumbered Warren sons in the third generation. But she died happy In the knowledge that the fourth Gilliard was the very moral and pdllcEu VI tu0 uISts puUy bhi Carlotta received her last blessing.
 Then one fine day in walked young Herbert Townsend, to say to her fa- ther and mother that he had married Carlotta at the county seat. His ia. ther, President Townsend of the Y. < c. railroad, had picked out girl of quite another sort-not specially unat- tractive, but rich. and stupid beyond expression. Anyway. ne had known the minute he met Carlotta that she was the only wife for him. No! He hadn't as yet steady job. nor very much money--none, in fact, if the gov- ernor turned rusty. But Carlotta shouldn't lack things so long as he could lift his hands even with a pick and shovel in them.
 So they went to live with Carl0tta's family. Herbert found himself dis owned save on the impossible condi- tions of forsaking his wife. Lacking . chance to use his mind, he did not blench before using his trained muscles. Going doggedly to work as common miner. In a month he was promoted to gang foreman and better pay.
 When at last they laid son in his arms. his first tears fell. Carlotta, watching him, understood. He was vowing to make up to their son all lis willfulness had cost.
 She paid for 1t In utter desolation . year later. when lightning fired the house, killing her father instantly. stunning her mother, but leaving un- scathed Carlotta, Herbert and their child. They got out safely. but when Herbert rushed back into the burning flames to save her mother. Carlotta followed him, until the baby's cries re- called her. severely burned. Herbert was staggering toward her. scared and blinded. but steadfast even to death. He had her mother in his arms.
 A month later Carlotta, deeply scared. . figure of woe. faced Pres ident Townsend. He said In a hard voice. his eyes greedily upon her son. You stole my bOy-now you will pay for it with your own. Give him up and he shall have all meant for his father. You have an invalid mother to support--no strength to work. no beauty left to ensnare another hus- band. l will give you competence for life-and will give your son riches"
 It was frozen woman who laid her child in his arms. kissed 1t once. and moved away.
 Years later--fifteen, to be exact-the Mountain house was interested and mystified in July at the coming of the Gray Lady. Mrs. Florence Gray" her card read. .She was neither young nor old. despite snow-white hair. was hallmarked enthusiastically as rich and aristocratic.
 People waited to see whether she might be a. friend of the Townsends. But when they came. c fortnight later. they seemed as strange to her as ey- erybody else.