The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-05-07
she had cause for her fears.

true and faithful little soul rs ever
breathed.
Mabel thought her ill-luck had reach
ed its climax when her Uncle Powell
was announced.
None of the girls cared for their
Uncle Powell's visits. He was not ex-
cessively rich, like their Aunt Selma,
from whom they had goodly expecta-
tions, 80 no one expected them to keep
him in a good humor and, though he
was Mr.. Templeton's half-brother, no
two men could be more unlike. He
was a small, wiry man, with q precise,
methodical voice, and a manner that
was somewhat dry and caustic, aud
which did not inspire his young rela-
tions with much affection, though they
certainly had no reason to dislike him,
for he was good to them in his own
way and according to his lights. Like
many other elderly people his heart
was great deal softer than his words.
He looked at Nab rather sharply as
he entered-the little girls red eyes
and pale checks did not escape him
but he asked no questions, leaving Nab
to explain rather lamely the reason for
her solitude.
$50 they have left you all alone" he
remarked curtly. THAT is rather dull
at your age, ell 7 Do you mean to
allow yourself any dinner, Miss House
keeper, and do you think you could
spare me little ?-for / have been
about town all day, and am almost
famished.'
Nab replied, a little reluctantly, that
she would go and see. Oh, yes, she
was sure there was enough for both
Pauline was never stingy in her
menage. But, as she accomplished her
errand, her conscience pricked her for
want of ready hospitality.
What if she were unhappy-other
people must have their dinners. Uncle
Powell was an old man-old, very old,
quite So, and he looked tired--and, in
spite of Violet's sarcasms about his
old-fashioned whiskers and the ridicu
lous cut of his waistcoats, he had al
ways been kind to her, bringing her
little presents and showing her little
attentions. He would do it rather
awkwardly, and his voice would be a
little gruff but, after all, it is not
every one who has a pleasant manner.
These reflections were so salutary
that Nab tripped up stairs, bathed her
aching head with eau-de-cologne, put
on her fresh white gown, though she
had only an old uncle for her visa Wis,
and putting away her sad thoughts
with brave effort, set herself to en-
tertain the unwelcome guest.
Now, the dinner was very good, and
MIR. Templetons claret was excellent,
and Nab made the prettiest little hos
tess possible, in spite of those telltale
traces on her eyelids ; and, as the soft,
childish eyelids raised themselves to
his face with that pathetic, panied
look in them, something seemed to tug
at Uncle Powell's heart strings.
"You are not quite happy, my dear
little girl p he said at last, in the kind
est possible voice. "Tell me all about
it, Mab.'
And then with some difficulty he
drew the whole story from her only
of course, the Beauchamp part was
suppressed, for there are some things
that cannot be told even to the kindest
uncle.
"Humph! just like your Aunt Selma!
A selfish, worldly woman-as l always
told Ralph. And pray what harm
would it have done her to have taken
you as well? I'll be bound Pauline
and Violet backed her up in her selfish
ness--girls are 80 inconsiderate.
hate such stuck up doings."
Nab began to cry.
"Never mind, Nab You shall not
spoil your pretty eyes while you have
your uncle 10 protect you. You have
been good girl this evening, and you
shall not lose your treat We will do
them finely, Nab and Owen shall help
us. They are at the Randolph, you
say Very well, l will telegraph for
rooms at the Mltre. You Just go and
pack up the tineries, and we will go
down by the same train tomorrow.
"Uncle - oh, Uncle !" Nab could
hardly bring out the exclamation, she
was so breathless. "Oh, Uncle what
do you mean p
81 mean just what | say and say
what | mean. And | will come and
fetch you tomorrow, as sure as my
name is Anthony Powell"
''But, Uncle, stammered poor Nab,
flushing and paling oy turns, "Papa
and Pauline-what will they say when
they see me ? Pauline will be so
angry, and Violet will laugh and be
sarcastic"
LET them laugh" returned Uncle
Powell, shortly, "Bless me, Mab-a
little testily-"I suppose | may give
my niece treat if l like. Your faith
er and l will make that all right, so
the women need not interfere. If
Pauline speaks to me | shall tell her
my mind pretty plainly, so put all this
nonsense out of your head. | want to
see Oxford and SO do you, 80 we will
just have our little trip together"
Mab's only answer for this was to
throw hei arms around his neck and
kiss him, as certainly she had never
kissed him in her life. Perhaps Mab's
cheek was a little wet. Uncle Powell
cleared his throat rather huskily after
that, and he even stroked her hair as
he bade her goodnight.
1t was radiant Nab who was watci
ing for Uncle Powell next morning, as
he drove up with his portmanteau.
But she grew more sober wnen they
reached their destination. AS no one
expected them, there was no one, of
course, to meet them at the station.
Nab, who was yearning for a sight of
Ovens bright boysh face, felt unreas-
onably damped at this. And there
was farther disappointment in store
tor her, for when after luncheon they
went straight to Magdalen in search of
him, the young undergraduates rooms
were empty.
"Oh, l iorgo;,' exclaimed Nab, with
sad droop of her lip lit is the flow
er show at Worcester and of course he
has taken them there"
And then she said, with an effort,
but very sweetly.