Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1895-02-06

ue sdiu anSrlly. Will give you my
ultimatum without further waste of
words. Although you re an idle, worth
less fellow who deserves no assistance,
yet for your poor mothers sake should
be sorry to see you drift into the work
house. On that account-and ON that
account only am willing to help you
But l make one condition. You must
break off your engagement with that
penniless girl, and tLen I'll pay your
debts, set you on your legs and perhaps
mention you in my will. If you refuse,
you'll not get farthing from me, either
now or here after. -
Il do refuse" answered Jim unhesi.
tatingly. Il had rather starve than
touch your money on such terms.
Uncle Obed's face was study.
THAT is final?" he demanded in an
awful voice
"Quite!"
Very we'll. Then clear out of this
Immediately! I'll never see you or speak
to you again! And you may 60 to the
devil as fast as you pleasew
THANK you," said his nephew, bow
ing himself ont 'I'd even do that be-
fore I'd give UP Gladys Boyd"
A few seconds later he banged the
street door behind him, to the great
standardization of his uncle's sleek but
Ter, and hurried away at the rate of five
miles an hour in the attempt to walk
off his disappointment and indignation.
Never knew him quite like that be-
fore," he muttered to himself as he
went "What has come over him? He
used to be rather a decent old boy,
though he was always hot tempered and
trifie stingy. But today he was beyond
everything. Ididn't go the right way to
propitiate him perhaps. Only couldn't
stand his saying those things about
Gladys! I'm glad / gave him beans for
that should do just the same again
! And as for giving up my darling for his
dirty money, I'd rather spend the rest Of
my natural life filing petitions in bank
ruptcy. It's a devil of nuisance all the
same, his cutting up so Internally rough
For how I'm ever to appease my credit
ors, Lord only knowsp'
Ten minutes walk brought him to
|
found telegram awaiting him, which,
his landlady told him, had arrived about
half an hour before. On opening it and
reading its contents, all the i'll humor
vanished from his face. The message
which effected the change was thus
Gam coming to town today. Meet me
Victoria at 2:40. Gladys"
He looked at his watch. Itwas scarce
ly / O'Clock. So there was still ample
time for light luncheon at his club.
whittier he accordingly repaired.
"By Jovep' he thought to himself as
he discussed this meal. Il am glad lit
tie Gladys is coming up today! By Jove,
ami She's coming alone evidently,
and that is mercy. | so seldom get a
chance of seeing her except in the pres
ence of that female ogre, Miss Bailey,
Puiso proud, exacting old snobl won
der how my darling has managed to es-
cape from her this afternoon? She
scarcely ever gives the poor child a holi-
day. Dear little Gladysl What trump
the grille is l amt half good enough
for her, by Jove! Give you up for Uncle
Obed's gold, my little brown eyes?
What do you think, eh?' "
With these and such like reflections
did Jim Trevor beguile his solitary
meal, looking the while as pleased and
happy as if he had just inherited a
plum. A schoolboy out for a holiday
could not have showed q jollier, more
beaming face than Jim's. The waiter
noted it and thought that, in defiance
Of regulations, it would mean a tip,
wherein he was not deceived. Several Of
the young mans friends also noted it
and came across to rally him.
"Has the uncle stumped up hand
some, then?" asked one
mo, my boy. Refused to part with
brass farthing and kicked me out of
the house, with his special commenda-
tion to the devil "
upon my word," laughed another.
"You take the disappointment uncom-
monty we'll, Jim, considering how you
stand"
''Life's too short to worry over such
trifles," said Trevor philosophically,
lighting cigarette.
"By Jove, you've changed your tone
since last night. You were glum enough
about your affairs then, and that was
while you still had hopes from Uncle
Obed."
"Yes," said Jim. "I'm like what's
his name in what dye call it. As long
as the life of my hopes was trembling
In the balance tasted and wept, but
now that death has supervened I con-
slider it foolish to fret. "