The Bossier banner., 1894-10-25

terlous hints to her classmates about
her uncle's wealth, and an exagger-
ated story of the gold piece was going
the rounds of the school She could
not help mourning little in secret, at
the possibility of being separated from
her sister; for it was evident that
Uncle Silas was quite Indifferent to-
wards Nellie, and so it could hardly
be expected that he would treat them
both with equal favor. But at the
same time she was very eager for him
to reveal his plans, and to enter the
life of luxury he so often limited of to
her
In the meantime Uncle Silas had
found much of his apparel as dilapi-
dated as the famous coat had been;
and as if to punish Gertie for her one
act of rebellion he brought her each
garment in its turn, and one by one
she meekly mended them, although
she hated sewing. No other hidden
gold piece ever rewarded her, but now
Uncle Silas often slyly spoke of the
surprise" he had in preparation for
her.
The girls at school were growing
more and more curious, but hardly
more impatient than Gertie herself
Her castle in the air had grown so real
to her that never morning came but
she expected to see it realized before
the night. Her only dread was lest
some of her exaggerated stories should
come to Nellie's honest ears too soon.
Then came a day which Gertie never
will forget-when it was found that
Uncle Silas had gone, no one knew
whittier.
His oldest, but now carefully mend
ed clothes, had been left behind, with
| a card bearing the laconic inscription:
For my brother john and it after
wards appeared that he had been
freely replenishing his wardrobe-at
his frugal brothers expense.
But this was not the worst; it soon
came out that Uncle Silas had been
trying to raise large sums of money
in his brothers name, upon bogus
South American securities; and it was
his failure in this and fear of the con-
sequences, which had led to his sudden
and secret flight.
A package of the worthless secur-
tiles had been left 'for my charming
but avaricious niece, as a suitable re-
ward for her disinterested devotion"
Uncle John was furious and vowed
that the swindlcr should be prosecuted
if ever he could be traced. But what
became of Uncle Silas after his disap-
pearance was never known; at all
events they never heard Of him again.
Gerties humiliation was complete;
and she foresaw a bitter punishment
for her folly in the merciless teasing
of her companions, when they should
learn of her air castles utter and pitt
full collapse.
Nellie was honestly sorry for hel
sister, though she wondered how il
had been possible for Gertie to indulge
in such absurdly romantic hopes; and
she heartily sympathized with Uncle
Johns discontinue and indignation al
| the discovery of his brothers utter un'
worthiness But old Susan chuckled
over the state of things for days.
jest like Mr.. Silas!'' she said, ian
| serves Mr.. John right for trustin him
when he knew-wen as do-that Mr.
Silas was born a scamp, an warn't
likely to go ag'in' his natur'. But fol
! Miss Gertie to be so taken in by his
great yarns! She amt much like hel
sister; seems as if Miss Nellie's got al
the family common sense. Well,
often said, an l say again: Blessed i:
them that didn't expect nothin'-fol
they amt so likely to get disap
p'intedw dw-Demorest Magazine.