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LINA'S FORTUNE
By George Elmer Cobb
(Copyright, 1917, W. G. Chapman.)
"Won't you let me help you?"
The voice was pleasant, unobtru
sive, respectfuL Lina Walters looked
up in surprise. Then her face flushed
and a manifest ambarrassment was
. visible in her pretty, innocent face.
"I thank you, but yes, if you
please," she said, and wondered at
her own temerity.
Lina was carrying two baskets
and one was unusually heavy. It
was covered with a screening, news
paper folded nearly, air. Dale Arm
strong would have wondered if he
had guessed what it hid. He won
dered at its weight as he relieved
her of the basket Lina was able to
carry the basket on her other arm
very comfortably.
"I think I know who you are,"
spoke her escort. "I have heard Miss
Barton speak of you."
"Yes, Nellie is my cousin," replied
Lina. "We don't see much on one
another, though. She is away a good
deal and "
Lina paused there and with tact
Mr. Armstrong changed the subject.
He understood without an explana
tion. Miss Nellie Barton was the
daughter of a family of wealth. The
Walters folk were not blessed wtih
social advantages. He chatted about
the birds, the flowers, the lake, the
woods and Lina was relieved and in
terested. Then where the road
turned and in sight of a rude, old hut
phe put out her hand timidly.
"I can take the basket now, if you
please," she said gratefully, and the
young man scanned the depths of
her eyes with a realization that they
were true, tender eyes, the glowing
glimpse of which he did not soon for
get. He lifted his hat and strolled slow
ly back the way he had come, reluc
tantly, too, for the lovely girl seemed ,
a natural part of the sweet, fresh j
vernal frame about them. He was a
broker from the city, a close friend
of Ned Barton, brother of Nellie, and
he had been a guest at the Barton
palatial home for a week. Purpose
ly invited or not, Miss Barton had set
her snares to capture him, as was her
rule with marriageable young men of
social prestige and money. Arm
strong admired her, for she was re
gally beautiful, but he was conscious
of her wiles. There had been a sur
feit of her apparent wiles, and the
It Was Papered With a Queer Cov
ing. contrast between the proud beauty
and the little widlwood flower he had
just left was intense and soul-stirring.
'
"I say, Armstrong, flirting?" hailed
a free and easy voice, and Ned Bar
ton came into view, his fishing rod
across his shoulder. "Wasn't that
Lina Walters?"
"Your cousin, she said," replied
Armstrong. "Tell me about her. I'm
interested."
"Then don't let Nellie know it!"
advised haphazard Ned. "Truth is.
.i -. .
