The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-19
TURNED ADRIFT.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
''Rosamond! Rosamoad!"
ayes, Lncle Phineas."
ats nine o'clock, Rosamond. The
clocks just struck"
81 know it, Uncle Phineas"
"Well, take off them logs that hasn't
got fairly to going, and put 'em keerful
IN the chimney coruer, and kiver up the
rest with good coat Of ashes. Dye
hear, Rosamonds"
"Yes Uncle Ph;neas," with a sigh.
Because, you know, Rosamond, nine
s'clock's the time folks was abed.'
"Yes, Uncle Phineas."
''And be sure you lock the big front
door and bolt both the bolts, and put a
cheer agin the hinges, so't it'll tumble
over ef any one tampers with the fasten-
mgs."
"Tll not forget, Uncle Phineas."
George Haud rose from his seat with
smile, as I,osamond Fosters troubled
eyes met his own.
"Perhaps l had better be going" said
Ae." "Eyidently your uncle thinks my
soom will b ebetter than my company"
''lou woa't mind him." said Rosa,
nond family.
'sNot in the least" said George. "He's
quite right. Nine o'clock is the time to
70 home III come some other evening
and finish my visit"
He had kosamond's haud in his q
trihe longer than there was any necessity
for, as they parted; and the girl sighed
softly as she bolted the great front door
and ad ,usted the s'cheer" to the exact
burglar. catching angle.
George Hand had been very near say
ing the word for which her heart had
longed all these months, Just when Uncle
Phineas' cracked voice made itself audi
BE over the bend of the stairway.
1t was rather hard, but Rosamond's
Gfe had been succession of mute, self
sacrifices, and this only made an ad-
ditional one.
But Uncle Phineas renewed the sub.
ject next day with some acrimony.
II tell you what, kosamond, said he,
''that candlc-box is morn half empty!'
''Yes, Uncle Phineas, it's the middle
Of January, you KNOW" said Rosamond,
gently.
81 don't keer eff it was the middle of
April" snarlcd the old man. "That's
no excuse for wasting candles. Arter
this, the house has got to be shut up at
half-past = O'Clock at night, and all the
lights out. amt going to end my days
IN the poor-house, not to please the shift.
Jess young fellers in the place. If they
ain't got homes of their own to sit up
10, amt goin' to furnish one for EN-"
Rosamond made no answer. What
comment had she to offcr2 Did not
Uncle Phineas remind her dozen times
that day that she was penniless orphan
entirely dependent on him for the bread
she ate, the clothes she wore2 To be
'ure, there had been hundred dollars
for her, when the estate of Eliakim Fos-
ser had been divided, but Uncle Phineas
had insisted on her laying that aside for
ihe rainy day.
Some said it was sensible thrift; some
called it an offshoot of the miserliness
shat underlaid his whole nature. But
the old man deigned no explanation; he
only smiled great sniff when he heard
shat Rosamond's only brother, Jared,
had put his share into an invention Of
his own which he was trying to push
through the patent office. "Humph"
mid he. Fools and their money are
soon parted.
To-day, however, he haG no sooner
settled the candle question than he
broached q new subject.
'sGive me that there money Of your'n,
Rosamond," said he. "I've got good
shauce to invest it, where it'll double
itself in. year or two"
Rosalnond turned red, then white.
She did not speak. ''Don't you hear1"
eosked the old man, impat;ently.
''What are you standing there FORE Give
me the money, say"
.'Uncle Phineas," gasped Rosamond.
driven to desperation, 81 haven'tgot it'll
Al lent it to Jared"
''Lent it to Jaredl" thundered the old
man. t'Flung it into the fire, you mean
made ducks and brakes of it. Lent it
TO Jared"
"He needed it" pleaded the girl. "And
after all, he's my brother"
'And you never asked me:"
II was afraid you would not consent,
Uncle Phineas" ..
The old 1nar snarled like an infuriated
wolf; his wrinkled skin turned yellow.
t'Ef you're so very independent, said
he. ''you can clear out o. this house; my
roof shan't shelter ye no longer. Clear
sut, say!'
losamond stood appalled,.
''Bnt, Uncle Phineas, I've nowhere to
60" she faltered.
loud onghtcr had thought o that
Store ye was so free with your money"
growled the old man, as he held the
door wide open for her to pass out.
''But it's dark, Uncle Phineas. And it's
moving hard"
s'Wha.'s that to me2" shouted the old
tyrant. 500 you mean to start, or must
i take you by the shoulders and put you
euta Go, I say"
There was something savage in the
Eight of his eyes that appalled, his niece,
sysn when she opened her lips to re.
monstrate still further. Without another
word she glided out into the twilight
tempest.
Everybody in Beckerfeld remembered