Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-08-01
CHAPTER III.


Duke street, Piccadilly.
CHAPTER III.
UNCLE JOSIAH AS DoUBTING THOMAS.
| Miss Rodney made her preparations
for leaving London that evening, and
nine days later she was In the bosom of
her family. She had been able to learn
nothing about Guy Stadley in London
"To think that should run across
this beast and not be able to find out
anything about that fine young fellowl
How can two men with the same ma
lures be so antipodally sundered in
character" she thought with wonder.
Miss Rodney had derived great
benefit from her outing. She had been
freed from the trials of home life. which
had always oppressed her more heavily
than either her mother or her sister. 1t
was satisfaction to feel that she could
meet her uncle with the thing she had
set out to do an accomplished fact
She longed for the very palpable reward
of her heroic task which the old man
had promised her in the moment of
softening which had come upon him
/ Miss Rodney had never failed to con-
graduate herself on having made him
put it in writing and of securing wit
nesses to the important document.
Mrs Rodney and Rose had not been
out very much. The death of the
Countess of Darlington had given them
an excuse for being n little less in So
ciety. Mrs. Rodney had not failed to
make use of this opportunity. 1t was
something to be able to practice econ
omy with deceased countess as the al
legged cause of it. She had wanted to go
INTO mourning, but Uncle Josiah had
poohpooaied that with animosity.
why, wn hadn't heard frean Ma
tilda for five years, and now You want
to spend money in advertising your re-
greet for such dear, devoted sister. Tell
'em she's dead, and that will do as we'll
and cost less.
So Mrs Rodney had contented her
self with wearing black rather more
than usual. Whenever there was good
occasion, she managed to convey the
impression that the family was in a
mourning condition over the death of
"my sister, the Countess of CARING
ton, but she had fired off these shots
when Uncle Josiah was not around.
| She knew that she could not count ON
any support from her sharp tongued
brother in this direction.
Miss Rodney had taken an early op-
| portunity to talk with her uncle on the
subject of his promise in case she should
succeed In the attempt to climb the
Matterhorn. The old gentleman had
shown no curiosity on the subject. In
fact, he had seemed almost to avoid an
occasion for private talk with her.
But one day Mrs Rodney and Rose
had gone out for the afternoon, and
| Florence soon after came in where the
| old gentleman was reading. She seated
herself and began:
"Well, UNCLE now that have shown
| you that could do what said could,
l suppose you will keep your part of
| the agreement. You lost your wager,
| you know she said pleasantly.
"What wager2 What agreementi'
| he replied snubbily, looking up from
his paper as if he did not wish to be
disturbed.
Uncle Josiah apparent forgetfulness
concerning the Matterhorn wager fairly
amazed his niece.
"Why, suppose you know what
| this paper Is, returned Florence.
| drawing the agreement from her
pocket '.You did not think could get
! to the top of the Matterhorn. and you
agreed here that If did within six
months you would give me money or
stock or something that would yield me
an income of $4,000 year. l have
climbed the Matterhorn and in less
| than four months from the date of this
agreement, written by you and wit
messed by Mary and Roberts. Now,
when are you going to do your part9'
81 haven't got the money about me
now" replied Uncle Josiah sarcastic
ally. "We'll talk about it some other
time. 1t doesn't say there how soon 1t
must be paid, does it9"
''No. OF course, you know. am not
insisting on your doing it at once. But
| 1t was a gracious impulse. believe,
that led you to promise me this. only
want to know what am to expect"
"Oh, thought you said it was put
down what you had to expect3" said
the old man, looking at her
"Uncle, there is no use in bandSing
words about it. If you have spark Of
honor, you know that now you owe me
this money. Your word is concerned.
l have done what said wonh, and l
want to know when Jon will 70 your
part, replied his niece firmly
"How do know that you climbed
the Matterhorn7" said Uncle Josiah
incredulously.
81 should think my word was proof
enough, retorted Miss Rodney, with
some spirit "You never knew me to
lie in your life"
II know mighty few girls who
wouldn't tell little white fb If they
could get $4,000 year by it.
chuckled Uncle Josiah.
"Well. anticipated some such sub
terfuge as that, =" replied the girl coolly.
II have the affidavit of each of the
| guides that made the ascent -
II suppose any of these Swiss guides
would make out paper like that for
| $50. wouldn't they2"
II don't know These didn't.
"You zee there's no actual proof that
you climbed that mountain, said Mr..
Gardner argumentatively. "You say
you did, and you have the papers But
you may be mistaken, and, as / say,
think $50 would buy that much hand
writing from any of them. Was there
anybody along but you and the
guides2''
''Not with memo" replied Miss
| Rodney, trying to keep cool under the