The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1900-06-14
CHAPTER III.

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 a 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 a 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
poohpoohed that with animosity.
"Why, you hadn't heard from 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
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.
Bot 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 I could do what said could,
I suppose you will keep your part of
the agreement. You lost your wager.
you know" she said pleasantly.
"What wager? What agreement
he replied snubbily, looking up from
his paper as if he did not wish to be
disturbed.
Uncle Josiah's apparent forgetfulness
concerning the Matterhorn wager fairly
amazed his niece
"Why, l 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 I did within six
months you would give me money or
stock or something that would yield me
an income of $4,000 year. I 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 part 2"
II haven't got the money about me
now replied Uncle Josiah sarcastic
ally. "We'll talk about it some other
time It doesn't say there how soon it
must be paid. does it?'
'No Of course, you know, I am not
insisting on your doing it at once. But
it was a gracious impulse, I believe,
that led you to promise me this. l only
want to know what I am to expect"
"Oh, thought you said it was put
down what you bad to expect?' said
the old man, looking at her.
"Uncle, there is no use in bandyine
words about it. If you have spark Of
honor, you know that now you owe me
this money Your word is concerned.
I have done what said would, and ]
want to know when you will do your
part, replied his niece firmly
''How do know that you climbed
the Matterhorn?' said Uncle Josiah
incredulously.
II should think my word was proof
enough" retorted Miss Rodney, with
ooAI0 opA41l. 1Ou never knew Inc GC
lie in your life
II know mighty few girls who
wouldn't tell little white ib if they
could get 100000 a 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 tn,
guides that made the ascent"
II suppose any Of these Swiss guides
would make out Il paper like that for
$50, wouldn't they?'
~ don't know. These didn't
"You see 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 I say, I
Shink $50 would buy that much hand
writing from any of them. Was there
anybody along but you and the
guides2'' ~,~ @~
"Not with me-no," replied Miss
Rodney, trying to keep cool under the
evident desire of her uncle to irritate