The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1898-05-28

secretly believed that 1t would be a
deal easier to go TO California or Col
conda, or some of the fabulous places
and dig fortunes out, nugget by mug
get, than 10 stay at home and earn them
by making themselves acceptable to an
old gentleman who had as many angles
as a rose diamond, and as many prickly
spikes of temper as a p%orcupine.
Naomi Darkridge had tried 1t first.
Naomi was a soft-yoiced, slender girl,
with n head which reminded one of a
dropping lily.
No one can help loving Naomi" said
Mrs. Darkrldge, as she kissed her
da ughter good-by.
But in three weeks Naomi came back
half frightened out of her wits.
HE .scolds so dreadfully," said Ma
omi. "And he looked at me as the
wolf must have looked at Little Red
Riding Hood. oh, mamma, l couldn't
stay there. not If | were to be made
richer than Miss Burdett-Co utts her
self"
Magdalena Darkridge went next; but
Magdalena, although a fine, tall girl,
with a spirit of her own, was cowed by
Uncle Blacks savage eyes in less than
week.
I'D sooner sweep crossing for a liv-
ing" said she, than be Uncle Blacks
heiress."
And so she came home without loss
Of time.
Rhoda Darkridge, in no wise abashed
by the successive failures of her sisters,
was the third one to try Black Grange
and its possibilities. but she also sue
cumbed before the terrible scourge of
Uncle Blacks savage tongue.
ITS scold, snarl, snarl. scold, from
morning till night said Rhoda, as in
three days time she tearfully related
her experience to her parents. "Oh,
you don't know-nobody can know
what a dreadful man Uncle Black isr'
"Oh, hang the old scamp said Mr..
Darkridge, who was of a f~ree-and-easy
nature, and thought his girls a great
deal too sweet and nice to be snarled at
by any rich old mlser. Let him alone.
My daughters needn't go begging for
any mans money"
But here Joscelind. the youngest,
tallest and prettlest of the four girls,
spoke up:
I'll go.' said she.
"You don't know what you are un.
1ertaking," said Naomi, with a shud-
der.
He'd wear out a stone" said Mag
dalena.
Hes a ghoulr' shuddered Rhoda.
Il can get along with him. l am very
sure" said Joscellnd, brightly.
And she packed up her little trunk
and went to Black Grange.
1t was sunset-a red, flaming sunset
like one of Giford's pictures-when she
came up the terraced flight of steps that
led to the house. Everything blushed
blood-red in the deep light, and Josce-
lind could see how lovely was the
scenery how substantial this old gray
house. with Its square towers and semi.
circular. colonnaded porch. Uncle
Black stood on the steps.
$50 you are Joscelindg' said he, sur
yeying her with little twlnkllng eyes,
like glass beads.
Yes, | am Joscelind," said the
brJght-cheeked girl, giving him a kiss.
You're late" said Uncle Black.
II am late" said Joscellnd. 81
thought the old beast of a stage never
would have got here. The horses fairly
crept and the roads were horrld."
Its a dreadful warm day growled
Uncle Black. -. ss-s,~
I'm almost roasted" sighed Josce.
lind.
The whole summer has been lntol.
erably warm" said the old gentleman.
1--WE might as well be In the tropics,
and be done with IT," retorted Josce.
lind, alnging off her shawl and tanning
herself vehemently.
Uncle Black gave her the keys tina
night, just as he had three times before
given them to her three sisters.
Il shall expect you to take charge oil
the whole establishment said he
The servants are miserable
no more than one might expect" In.
/ t%errupted ~Joscelind, with a deprecatory
motion of the hand. Servants are
mere frauds Nowadays
And nothing goes right about the
place"
Nothing ever does" said Joscelind
Uncle Black eyed her queerly. This
was quite different from the deter
mined cheefulness aud systematic good
I. sIarits.0f her sisters.
At breakfast next Morning Uncl,
Black began TO scold as usual,
"Fish again" said he. This make.
-four mornings this week we've has
fish,"
II detest fish," salu Joscelind, push
ing away her plate with a grimace.
And The rolls heavy again" growle'
Uucle Black. breaking one open.
please give me the plate. Uncl
Black" said Joseelind aas she ran
the table bell sharply,
Betty. the cook. a stout. good-hun
ored Irish woman. made her appeai
anee.
Betty" said Miss Darkridge. "be !
good as to throw these rolls out Of Il
window"
Betty stared.
do you hear what | tell your" sa'
Aisa DarkrIdge. with emDbasis.