The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-03-07
MY WICKED UNCLE.


straight, steady downpour, which
scarcely looked like clearing; the sky
above was of that dull, leaden hue,
such as generally precedes much wet
| weather, and though | scanned it until
my eyes ached, | could not catch a
glimpse of the tiniest bit of blue.
lad been watching the people pass
to and fro beneath the nursery window
not by any means an amusing occu-
patton; anything, however, was better
than seeing nursie knit her everlasting q
sock, or playing with my well-worn
dolls.
l was feeling miserable-as utterly
forlorn as any child could possibly be,
but then, rs nursie said. it was hard
to lose my dear father so unexpected
ly, and be left to the tender mercy of
an unknown uncle. Not that | could
remember papa very well, he had been
away such a long, long time, ever
since mamma died; still, used to hear
from him sometimes, and his letters
never failed to bring happiness to his
lonely little child.
pressed my cheek closer to the
cold window-pane as this thought
crossed my mind, and few hot tears
gathered in my eyes. In another in-
slant | should have given way to the
grief weighing so heavily upon my
heart, but the abrupt entrance of one
of the maids effectually reused me.
Betty" she said eXcitedly, laying
her hand on the old woman's shoulder,
''Mr. Richards come"
Nursie gave a little shrek, and lifted
her two hands-sock and all-in evil
dent terror.
Lord bless my soul! Have you
seen him, Susan?n
Yes; and | don't like the look of
him at all" Susan answered emphatic
ally. Il can't think what possessed
master to leave the child to such
man.
lie always was one of the wild
sort; still he may be kind to my poor
lamb. p"
"lt's a great temptation to have en-
tire control Of so much money, and no
one to interfere except Miss Nelly"
Susan went on sagely.
Poor child-pOOr child, | only
hope he will be kind to her. If he
isn't, I'LL" Here nursie paused
and added in a startled tone, BLESS
my SOUL"
Susan turned and fixed her bright
eyes on mine.
| had been attracted by their animat-
ed voices, and creeping from my cold
place, gradually neared them.
Probably my presence disconnected
her, for she bounced somewhat hastily
from the room.
" "Nursie, " l began tremulously,
"who is Mr., Richard?'
Your uncle. Miss Nelly, dear-your
poor fathers own brother"
SIS he going to live here always?"
"GoodneSs knows; he may or he may
not settle down Christiap-like. instead
OF rushing off to furrin parts"
sighed, and dragged my little vel
vet chair from its corner, sat down be-
fore the blazing fire, holding out my
chilled hands to the genial warmth.
Nursie, after 4 rather doleful glance at
me, rescued her knitting from the
kittens clutches. and recommended
work.
dare say she wondered what made
me so unusually silent, why forgot
even to play with Floss; she would
have been still more surprised had she
only guessed the thoughts busy in my
mind-thoughts brought there by her
own rash words.
My unknown uncle was wicked-of
that | was quite certain, and perhaps
he would be cruel to me-the fragile
child who stood between him and so
much wealth.
had read Of such dreadful things
as unnatural uncles doing away with
young children left to their care; there
was the story of two poor princes
smothered in the Tower. which nursie
said was quite, quite true; then, too,
the sad tale of the babes lost in the
wood
| shuddered, an instructive horror
creeping through my veins. If Uncle
Richard chose To kill me who could
prevent him? Nursic was old and
feeble, and the other servants were
easily scared. My heart gave great
bound when Susan suddenly entered
the room, grim smile on her rosy
face.
Miss Nelly is to go down to the
dining-room; Mr. Lyle desires to see
her." she announced slowly. aud each
word fell like death-knell upon my
soul.
Nursie's trembling hands smoothed
my roughened curls, and united the
big white pinafore.
was rather small child for my
nine years, and the new heavy mourn
ing | now wore made me look smaller
and paler still.
Probably that accounted for the
quick intent glance Uncle Richard
fixed upon me when went reluctantly
into the big dining-room-a glance
full of deadly, double meaning f0r me,
which made me shiyer from head to