The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-05-16

Thanks; but l prefer to instruct him
myself. The business on which i am
about to employ him is strictly con-
fidential-at present"
Just so. No doubt. Whites is
your man, SIR"
| For the second time knock; and
next moment the maid-of-all work 8
somewhat clouded face was visible.
another gentleman to see Mr..
! Frob' sher.' was all she said.
..My uncle!' exclaimed Frank
''Oh, my prophetic soul" cried
Dick.
Mr.. Gimp fumbled nervously with
his eyeglass, but did not sSeak. The
three men glanced at each other with q
sort of guilty consciousness.
"Show the gentleman up" said
Frank to the servant. Now, Dick. at
tention. Now, Mr.. Gimp, if you
please" His face had..darkened again as
it had darkeded when his uncle's name
was first mentioned In his eyes there
was an expression such as Dick had
rarely seen in them before. He went
back to the sofa between the two win
dows and resumed his seat.
Footsteps were heard on the stairs.
Mr.. Gimp crossed to the door and
opened it. ''Mr. Pebworth and Miss
Deene," he announced in his blandest
tones, but despite himself there was a
tremor in his voice.
This parsonage came forward slowly
and with degree of hesitation very un-
usual with him. His small gray eyes
quickly took in the room and its occu-
pants, resting finally and for the second
time on Frank. who from his seat on the
sofa was regarding his uncle with no
favorable eyes.
"Where is my dearest Frank?" demand
ed Mr.. Pebworth. "Where is my scape-
grace boy, whom have never ceased to
cherish in my heart as though he were
a son of nv OWN" Without waiting
for an answer, he crossed the room with
sort of elephantine lightness, and
made his way direct to Franks sofa.
"Ah, here the rascal is. But not i'll, l
hope. God bless my heart. not illn'
Dick had started to his feet by this
time. "Why. uncle. don't you know
meg' he cried. don't you recognize
your long-lost nephew? I'll never be-
lieve in family likenesses again.
MIR. Pebworth turned with quickness
that one would hardly have given him
credit for. If disconnected at all, it was
but for moment. What, Oh, ah. to be
sure" he exclaimed. '.Very stupid of
me. Rather short-sighted at any time
of life. That must be my excuse" His
back was turned to frank by this time,
| and next moment he was shaking Dick
| L,- 81 N
Frank, am delighted to find you!
Now that l see you closer, l should
recognize you anywhere! Your likeness
to my late lamented sister, your poor
dear mother, is truly wonderful
"Glad to see You. uncle. A long time
since we last met" responded Dick, in
hearty off-hand way.
"A long time. indeed. But have
never ceased to think about you, nor TO
wish for the day to come when should
see you again. That happy day is here
at last. But here is my niece Elma
waiting to greet you. Elma. my pet.
your cousin Frank, the cousin whom we
have so often talked about and longed
to see."
The young lady thus addressed was a
slender dark-eyed girl of some twenty
summers, with clear-cut aquiline
features, an olive complexion. profu-
sion of soft silky black hair, and a love-
" dimple within an inch of her lips
when she smiled. She was plainly
dressed in a costume of some dark soft
material, which she wore with grace
and distinction peculiarly her own. She
had shaken hands with Mr.. Gimp on
entering the room. and they We're now
talking in an undertone together.
Being thus appealed to by Mr.. Peb-
worth, she came forward with the quiet
self-poSseSsed air that seemed 4 part of
herself. "How do you do. Cousin
Frank" she asked, proffering her hand
rs she spoke.
Pretty well. thank YOU, Cousin
Elma," answered Dick; and he thought
that he had never seen a prettier hand.
1--WE have had fine day. haven't
we, Cousin Frank"
"A very fine day, indeed, Cousin
Elma."
Now that we have discussed the
weather, we may be considered rs
knowing each other intimately. And
now say something amusing to me. A
laugh would do me good" There was
| a sort of demure twinkle in her eyes.
and she glanced at Mr.. Pcbworth as
she spoke. That gentleman and Mr..
Gimp were talking together.
| Dick shook his head and colOred 4
! little. You VIII find me but dull
| dog, Cousin Elma. | don't believe
there is one particle of amusement to
| be extracted from me-But | must in
troduce both You and my uncle
Mr.. Pebworth turned and became all
attention-'.to my friend Mr.. Dick
Drummond. at present on the sick-list,
but at all times the best of good fellows
and the dearest of chums-Dick, my
uncle, Mr.. Pebworth-my cousin, Miss
! Deene."
Frank had risen, and was standing
with one hand resting on an elbow of
the sofa. His face was very pale. and
there was a dark resentful light in his
eyes as he turned to MIR. Pebworth and
bowed coldly to him. But the angry
CLEAN died out, and his lips parted
with faint smile, as he bent his head
to Miss Deene
Mr.. Pebworth turned his back on him
without ceremony. "A friend who
must be got rid Of" he muttered to
himself. Then addressing himself to
Dick, he said: Il wish my darling
Clunie were here to enjoy this happy
meeting; but unfortunately she is away
at Cheltenham for few days. A cling
ing timorous pet, my dear Frank, but
brimful of poetry, and blessed with a
most affectionate disposition - Eli.
Gimp"
"Oh. most affcctionater The little
lawyer was evidently on thorns, and