Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1908 — Fate and the Lemon Pie. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Fate and the Lemon Pie.

By EMILE LOVETT.

Copyrighted, 1007, by M. M. Cunningham.

All his life long Dick Hadley hod looked forward to the time when, all alone and unmolested, In luxurious ease, with calm oblivion to the world at large, he could sit with undisturbed satisfaction and devour an entire lemon pie. And now, at the age of twenty-four, athletically broad shouldered and tall, with a face capable of inspiring both trust and respect, a fact which men admired and women loved, he had boarded the fast train at Washington, with its few stops between there and his destination, Laurel, Md., with the long wished for and much thought of treasure in his hand. Ever and always before had something happened to prevent the realization of the admirable anticipation. Sun ny faced reminiscence, with faint fragrance of blossoms, stole over him as

ONE." -back in the past he saw again the old porch of the southern Maryland home and the group of little sisters and brothers around him clamoring for pieces of the pie which his mother had made for him. And after each little ravenous mouth had been filled what remained of the lemon pie? Only the satisfying remembrance of a generous heart. Fleet footed recollection bounded swiftly before him, portraying the long forgotten day when in an enviable frame of mind he had seated himself on a bench in one of the apparently deserted squares of the city, when a pale and unkempt newsboy in passing paused, eying him in hungry surprise. And that which remained of the lemon pie was the mark in the book of the recording angel of the spirit with which the donor had given to another in greater need than he. There had been many other and similar interruptions, but the time which stood out beyond and above all others in shadowy eyed memory was the morning several years previous when In passing through a southern town In winter he had purchased the last and only pie in the one and only confectionery store of the place and when he was about to depart there had entered slowly, indeed almost feebly, a girl whose pale, thin face showed promise of blossoming into rare loveliness with good health and proper environment. Attired in a long, dark skirt evidently the property of some one else ere it fell to her lot and with a shawl of green and blue plaid thrown over her fluffy hair, she had crossed to the counter, addressing a few words to the clerk in a low tone. . “A gentleman just bought the last one,” the clerk had replied, and Hadley, perceiving the blank expression of speechless disappointment had silently handed to her his treasure, receiving in return a silver ten cent piece. Frequently since then, as commercial traveler, he had passed through the same little town In the South, always looking and watching for the girl whom he intuitively knew to be now the one woman in the world for him. Fate had always been most unkind, and now all of that dream must perforce fall In line with the procession of other impossibilities and fade away among the soft white clouds in the for getmenot blue of the sky, for Cousin Sophia on dying had just left to Hadley In her will the entire bulk of her riches on condition—and money meaut much to young Richard, with his widowed mother and the younger members of the family to be educated for both the social and buslnesa duties of life—that he marry Miss Angela Cathaway of Maine, a wealthy creature and an absolute stranger to Hadley, bat who was a daughter of Cousin Sophia’s first love. If he failed to win her consent the property and money were to go to hospitals and schools In the Philippines. He was now on the way to meet her at a house party and—“Hyatts ville! Hyattsvflle!” calledthe conductor, opening wide the door for ascending passengers. “Why, Dick Hadley!” cordially exclaimed a gracious voice In his ear. Dick Inwardly groaned, remembering

the uneaten pie, as be quickly rose and extended his hand. Beside his friend, Mrs. White, stood a girl of wonderful grace, richly attired with simplicity of elegance in white, her fluffy hair framing a face of rarest beauty. In her large brown eyes were written surprise as they gazed into his own from over the red roses at her throat. “Miss Cathaway, Mr. Hadley,” Introduced Mrs. White. “Angela, my dear, this is Dick Hadley, son of my girlhood’s dearest friend, and I hope you two will become acquainted while I sit with an old friend farther up the aisle.” “Once upon a time,” remarked Miss Cathaway as Hadley seated her next to the window, “while visiting an aunt in the south I became ill, and when convalescing the physician in attendance consented to my earnest request to be permitted to taste a small piece of lemon pie. “There was none In the house, and my aunt, who strongly opposed the idea of any injudicious eating on my part, hid my clothes. So, usurping one of her skirts and with the cook’s plaid shawl over my head’”— Angela paused. “Yes, yes!” said Richard, his splendid eyes alight. “And what then?’ “I feebly walked out of the kitchen door and through the back gate to the confectionery store near by, only to find all the pies sold. Imagine my dismay! The only thing In life I craved—at that time! A gentleman stepped up and offered me his, for which I gave in return a silver dime. It was a lemon pie, deliciously golden, with a golden brown heap frostily arrayed on the top. I have never forgotten the pie. I shall never forget the man,” gazing steadily out of the window. “Would you recognize the fellow?’ exclaimed Dick, with pounding heart. “Yes,” replied Angela, with downcast eyes.

“Would you know the dime?” The girl’s eyes flashed indignantly. “Certainly not,” coldly. Hadley took from his pocket his watch, to the ring of which was attached a small silver coin. “See how I treasured it all these years of searching for you. And look,” he cried in exuberance of spirits, displaying the emblem of bliss from the brown paper bag. “I even go armed with a lemon pie when on a hunt for you. And now that I’ve found you life seems crowned with”— “Laurel! Laurel!” shouted the official. “That conductor is a knowing one.” exclaimed Dick. “Well, have you two become acquainted?” inquired Mrs. White, bearing down upon them, noting with surprise the radiant face of Miss Cathaway. “You naughty creatures, you’ve been eating pie and never invited me to a taste. We get off here. Come, Angela, my dear, harry," she called over her shoulder, “and tell Mr. Hadley goodby.” “Never!” said Dick firmly, with determined air. “From you to me there shall be no such word aa ‘goodby.’ ” And to this day Dick Hadley’s boyish dream of a time all alone and unmolested in luxurious ease, when in calm oblivion to the world at large he could sit with undisturbed satisfaction and devour an entire lemon pie has never been fulfilled.

“A GENTLEMAN JUST BOUGHT THE LAST