Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-06
uped- Blu. Mr.. sil.s BlOssins, Of Princes.

duped But Mr.. Silas BloftinG, OF Princess
Town"
There is 90 such person" inserposed the
old gentleman calmly
What does il mean, then2' cried Claude
wildly. II have had letters from him. He
told me that my uncle, William Barnes. Of
Princess Town, was dead" crsrE
There is no such person a. William Barnes.
OF Princess Town. either, guess, said the old
gentleman, with another grim sTm located
at Chicago, and left Princess Town dozen
years ago. Have You any doubt that Tn
your your, uncle, young man, and that I'm alive
Claude looked earnestly at the face before
him, but. in truth. his scrutiny wss unneces-
sary. Already the conviction had been borne
upon him that he was speaking to his mothers
brother, for the hanily likeness was unmistak-
able.
Seems to me, nephew, that you've en-
parked on pretty big swindle, " said his uncle,
with significant glance round the well-ap-
pointed room
Il am ruined. dishonoredr' exclaimed
Claude, overwhelmed with shame as he
thought of his debts and the difficulty of his
positlon w hat will Mr.. Ponsonby Walker
what VIII Miriam think? am innocent of any
swmdle, Uncle William" he added with fierce
energy.
Say, how did it all happen them" inquired
his uncle in more friendly tone.
Saude Damien, feeling that he was on his
defense, pulled himself together, and gave q
toierabiy lucid and coherent account of the
events which have been narrated His uncle
listened with close attention. and occasionally
asked questions which, if the young man had
been less agitated. would have given rise to a
suspicion that the old Gentleman had already
made himself acquainted with the circum-
stances.
well, nephew, if you amt knaye. Won are
fool. which is almost as bad these days"
said his uncle, when he had finished Your
Mr.. Ponsonby Walker has played you a nice
tricki''
Mr.. Ponsonby walkerr exclaimed Claude,
with a start.
why, certainly. 1t was a plant of his to
boom his precious company, whose shares, by
the by, are now worthless. But that don't mat
ter to him. He fioated the concern, and got his
promotion-money, you bet," said the old gen.
tieman, with quiet conviction.
"lmpossibler gasped Claude, Mortified at
That is So and you've got into an awkward
scrape. The best thing you can do is to clear
out of it, and come along with me-" said his
uncle not unkindly. I've business over yon-
der in Princess TOWN. dry goods store. II
amt aristocratic, but it's honest. call my
self Williams over there because I'm in trade
and don't want to hurt the family pride" ad-
ded the old gentleman sarcastically.
Hang family pride! I'll go with you, uncle,
certainly, and, If necessary, sweep out the
shop" cried Claude, with heartfelt earnestness.
But what about my debts?'
Never mind your debts" replied the old
gentleman, who seemed pleased at his nephew's
evident sincerity. They are not your debts
they are Mr.. Ponsonby Walkers. He shall see
to EN-"
'And-and Miriami" exclaimed the young
man with beating heart.
Miriam, OH That is the girl? You don't
suppose that she really cares for you, you
Young idiot" said his uncle brusquely.
I'm sure she does. Whatever her father
may be, Miriam is true, and-and I love her
Uncle William, better than my life" exclaimed
Claude excitedly.
We'll, is that So" said his uncle, in a quiet
matter-of-fact Tone" as I've no room for
absent-minded lovers in my establishment, you
had better mary her straight away. You think
she would come. eh?"
"Uncler' calculated Claude, completely
| staggered by the boldness of the proposition.
'Why-why, of course she would. But-but
her parents would never consent Mr.. Pom
sonby Walker"
Leave him to me-" said the old gentleman
with a grim smile. 'He will be only too
anxious to get rid of the ghost he has raised on
any terms, you bet! I've got evidence in my
pocket which will make him listen to reason.
If you can persuade the girl to come back with
us IN the Etruria at the end of the month. I'll
fix matters with her father and get his blessing
for what its worth!-into the bargain"
Claude never quite understood how it all oc-
Cured, but he not only received Mr.. Ponsoby
Walkers blessing. but, what was more to the
point. the hand of his daughter and receipt: