The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-02-23

Grashaw will make a great difference
to him"
"Why, he wouldn't have lost his
money if he could have helped it.
Where is he?"
And Jack, no longer thinking of his
off ce coat, walked into the d awing-
room and warmly greeting the old man,
remarked heartily:
We.,ome home, Uncle jeff Kate
has told me all. I'm so sorry, 'pon my
word l am; but never mind; better
luck next time"
"Heaven bless you, my dear boy -
thank you." reioined Uncle JEFF, CRATE
fully; for already he was awakening to
his position. And such o pleased, radi-
ant expression came over his features,
that, like flash, an idea sprung up in
Mrs. Grashaw's head that Uncle jeff
was pretending poverty to test their
affecti n.
But her husband soon negatived that.
There was no pretense; but hard, bona
| fde, implacable ruin.
Monkbourne did laugh and sneer.
That might have been some excuse for
the Grashaws; but before fortnight
was over Uncle JEFF found himself so
much in the way that, hurt, panied, he
announced his intention of leaving, and
no one asked him to remain.
That evening, however, Jack came
into his room on the third floor with
Kate, and the two made a proposition.
To let Uncle JEFF in his great trouble go
and live alone was more than terrible to
these silly young people; it was i'm
possible. Would Uncle JEFF like them
to put all their tiny incomes together
the town and live in it? Kate would
be the most economical of housekeepers.
Uncle JEFF sat aghast.
"And you would do this for me, my
children ?" he exclaimed. "You wonld
give up your fine life and the fine guests
here at Georges Toto"
"Be quite as happy elsewhere"
said Kate, kissing him. "You mustn't
refuse, uncle; I will not hear of it ! You
can't tell how merry We three people
will be togetherl"
Il don't doubt that in my case, my
love-" answered Uncle jeff, looking
into her bright face and grasping Jacks
hand.
"Then it's agreed, uncle?" remarked
Jack.
"Heaven bless you, children, how
can l say no?"
So it was settled. The Grashaws were
at first indignant, but later rejoiced in
he ground it gave them to break with
heir poor relations, especially with
thoseungrateful Wakefelds.
But there they were wrong. Graft.
dc had been the cause. All the real
gifts and benefits Jack and Kate had
received from any one had been from
Uncle JEFF, who had never asked or
wanted return.
In fortnight the cottage Jack had
had his eye on received its tenants. 1t
was very small, but very pretty. From
morning to night Kate fitted about it,
seeing to this, then that, inventing
nice little surprises-into which Uncle
jeff heartily entered-for "dear old
Jacks dinner-tea" or "high tea," as
she lauRhingly termed it. She no
longer thought of turning her dresses
so often nor " sticking q new bow here
and a new bow there )" but in her dark
stuff dresses she looked happier, hand,
somer, then she ever had at the Gra-
| shQws'.
" It's quite like setting up house
keeping tor ones self" she laughed
merrily.
The cottage was situate at the other
side of the town to that wherein was
the Grashaws' house, SO Kate rarely
met them; but she heard Of them and
their doings from one or two of those
mutual friends who, admiring the part
70 hrn hnr nd ct ho1 1Nln lyp,N
up their acquaintance. From one of
these she learned how Sir Hugh Stat
ford had arrived at Beechholm from his
world -wonderings, and had been feted
accordingly by all the elite of Monk
bourne, the Grashaws among the num-
! ber.
"There will be rare pulling caps for
the baronet among the mothers with
manageable daughters !" laughed the
| old lady, Kate's informant; " and entire
nous, my dear, your aunt, Mrs. Gra-
shaw, will not be behindhand."
Kate, seated in the little parlor at
work, found subjects for long trains of
thought out of this. She wondered if
Nellie would win the baronet? She was
pretty enough. Then would not aunt
hold her head highi
Her cogitations were arrested by the
sound of voices. Looking from the
window she saw that Uncle JEFF had
halted at the gate, apparently to take
leave of friend-a gentleman of
about thirty, with a pleasant, intelli-
gent face, b1t-such was Kate's mental
remark-more manly than handsome.
"Uncle back and no tea she ex-
claimed, springing up. 'Iime flies
when one is thinking Why, uncle is
bringing his friend in 4! If it's to tea,
he must take what 1 have got p
Then the door opened, and Uncle
JEFF entered with the stranger, who Kate
saw had exceedingly fine brown eyes.
"My darling" said Uncle JEFF, "I
have met an old friend Pardon me il 1
put you out at all, but / could not refrain
from bringing him home to introduce
him to my young benefactors."
"Beneiactors, Uncle Jeff Oh, pray,
sir, do not believe that" smiled Kate,
blushing. "Ours is rather a mutual aid
society,""
ST think I should like to join it,"
smiled the stranger, and those brown
eyes dwelt very admiringly on the
young girls face. "May /"
~ fear it is impossible" she re-
joined. "It's limited in number as in
capital" Then she looked at Uncle
JEFF.
81 beg your pardon, Kate, but for,
got the introduction. My dear, this is
Sir Hugh Stafford"