The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-01-27


tleman OF commanding appearance, and ar
rayed in the finest OF linen and broadeloth,
stepped into the little graveed path.
Mrs. Hutton with Beth and Sue in her
wake, ran breathlessly down the path
''Uncle Elwood, Uncle Elwoodl'' cried the
widow, throwing herself ecstatically into the
gentleman's arms.
"Then you recognize me, Amanda" ex-
claimed Uncle Elwood, in a tone OF pleased
surprise. Il hardly expected that, but am
glad to find myself less changed than | inn
agined."
do you think Uncle Elwood Allen could
be effaced from my recollection" effusively
exclaimed Mrs. Hutton. winking a seductive
tear from her eve.
Hey" said Uncle Elwood.
But Mrs. Hutton was proudly presenting
her two pretty daughters, and so lost the
Uncle Elwood did not repeat
it. He kissed Beth and Sue, and then, while
the widow conducted him into the cottage,
listened to her account OF her third daughter.
"Quite domestic as well as witty" she
smiled. Couldn't get her from the tea-tabe
to welcome you, so fearful was she that some
thing necessary to your comfort might be
forgotten"
Nell, peeping out upon the quartet through
the tea-room curtaint, bit her lip.
"I'll begin as mean to hold out, and hold
out MS begin ] am not going to play the
sycophant. That's settled" she muttered
to herself.
But when the door presently opened, and
the object OF her thoughts was ushered in to
tea she gave him a very pretty welcome, and
one which caused that gentleman to bend his
bushy gray brows upon her with pleased in
teTest.
The best OF the lott" he thought
The civities OF the table at an end, Uncle
Elwood began making the many inquiries
natural under such circumstances.
"And what has become of or ,overtaksn
Elwood Brinton?" he asked.
mo good has overtaken him, you may be
surel" cried Mrs. Hutton, emphatically. "He
was a great scapegrace, Eve heard father
say, and as unfit to push his fortunes in Aus
tralia as a man could be"
After little laugh, which Uncle Elwood
enjoyed unduly, his neiee thought, remarked
"Hc had a good heart, though ] once
knew him to do what Oliver Goldsmith did
on a similar occason-sleep in the middle Of
feather bed because he had given away his
last cover to a poor"
"Oh, did he do that" broke in Nell, with
glowing eyes.
He did, indeed" smiled Uncle Elwood
"and a sorry sight he was the next morning
with his head sticking out OF the feathers
But like the immortal Oliver. he took il
cheerfully. The way he laughed
Il hope he'll come home some day. ] Low,
himl" said Nell.
Uncle Elwood gave her look so peculia
that cold chill ran through Mrs. Hutto1
from head to foot.
"She'll ruin her prospects, she thought
ITO talk about loving the other uncle. Grea
heavens! I'd send her OFF on visit if could
But within his own chamber, fresh Will
lavender-scented sheets and curtains, Uncl
ElwoOd showed no signs OF anger.
On the contrary he buried his face in pill
! low and laughed till the bedstead creaked
That brought him upright, and putting on
his light he sat down at the window to thinl
as gravely as he could bring himself to do.
almost at the instant that he did so til
! garden gate opened hastily, and man abou
| his own age, but Of markedly shabby exter
ior, hurried up to the door. 1t was not We
closed, and at his light rap Mrs. Hutton
stepped into the hall. and the visitor smil
ingly advanced He looked little paine,
as he encountered Mrs. Hutton's cold, in
quiring eye, and then removing hisha smile,
pleasantly.
Then, Amanda, you don't remember Tn
Gle Elwood-'
Heaven help us and save usl" gasped Mrs
Hutton. "lf here amt Uncle Elwood Brin
ton! And as shabby as a peddler-shabb
and poor, Just as might be expected
The new Uncle Elwood attempted to speak
but Mrs. Hutton irritably interposed.
You can't say one word Uncle Elwood
that will move me. have these three girls
waving a hand toward Beth, Sue and Nell
who had gathered in the hall amazed spec
tators OF the scene. I've Just as can 10 t
take care Of them, and you must go some
| WHeIe elnt' pul ultuIuIly as Oucle ElNoO
Allen has returned rich from India, and la
my very best room and"
Mother oh, mother!'' interposed Neil, pit
eously, he is old and poor"
Don't | know it?" sharply interrupte
Mrs Hutton. And is that not the YER
reason he must go elsewhere? Don't be
fool, Nell"
But the girl was not to be silenced Rusl
ng to the tired. shabby, old gentleman, sh