Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-07-27

Auu JOu Will JudI eNeIldSIlHS luh-
stand open and the pen just ready to
dip" And Ruth Boyden tossed her
gloves on the stand, her hat on the bed,
and her jacket in the big chair. Then
she proceeded to give May Gleason an
enthusiastic hug. who is it? Tell me
Quickw
"Oh, you crazy. 1t isn't always the
same one. This morning it's Tom"
TON? Tom whoW
Tom? Oh, just Tom. Uncle Tom,
If you must have all the particulars"
well, then, May Gleason, l should
think you would say Uncle Tom. l
think it does sound so rude and dis
courteous when children fail to give
their relatives their proper title.
There's Joe, Kenney always calls his
mother Helen, and his father Joe. I'd
lecture you well if you were my niece"
"Oh, Tom doesn't care"
How do you know he doesn't care?
His feeling might be very much hurt,
and he would not say a word-iust
suffer in silence. O!d people are very
sensitive
May giggled, though Ruth couldn't
see thing to laugh at.
Il think just as you do about it, and
I'm going to reform. Now what shall
we do? You haven't seen my new idea
for sachets, have you? Wait till l wipe
my pen and cover the ink, for it's sure
to tip itself over If the cover isn't
screwed on tight"
One morning later in the season Ruth
Boyden received a note from her
friend, which read something like this:
Dear Ruth: Can you come up to tea
tonight? l have just had letter from
Toni mean Uncle Tom-and he Is
coming up here for a few days before
starting on a trip West. l should like
10 have you meet him, for he is my
dearest relative. Wear your maroon
trimmed with sable, you do look so SUI
perb in that. Come early, by o'clock,
so we can talk. Toni mean Uncle
Tom-doesn't get here till the six train.
Your most devoted MAY"
Ruth dressed herself in the maroon
DRESS and as she studied the reflection
in the mirIor she hoped he would feel
satisfied with Mays nearest friend. Il
must try to be d!gnltied and qu.et. Cd
people don't ever like tiy-away girls. or
course May has told him all about me-
j do hope she hasn't overrated NE.
She thinks the world of Uncle Tom,
and some way l should like him to be
pleased with me. l am going to carry
my lace handkerchief that Mrs. Baker
gave me. 1t will make talk, for she
was a returned missionary, and | am
sure there is nothing better than that
work. Almost all old people are inter-
ested In that"
"Oh, Ruth, you darling" was Mays
eager greeting. Il am SO glad you wore
that. do think the white yoke and the
fur bands round the neck and wrists do
soften the tints so. Tom"-there was
catch in her vOice-"I mean Uncle
Tom-is such a judge of beauty. But
don't be alarmed; lie will like you, l
know-and your lace handkerchief, too
Il am honored."
81 really put it on to have something
to talk about, you know. Does your
uncle enjoy missionary wOrk?"
May half snickered and then covered
II with a cough, but she fastened away
with Ruth's wraps; while she was gone
she laughed heartily. Her face, when
she re-entered the room, was gravity
itself.
Ruth tried to find out some OF Uncle
Toms tastes, but May avoided the sub
ject, and Ruth finally decided to trust
20 luck to show her what to say and do.
A little past 6 there was commotion
outside, and from the station cab Uncle
Tom descended. He was welcomed at
the door by Mays mother, and May ex-
cused herself to greet him, saying: "Oh,
Ruth, he is the handsomest, dearest
man"
"Pm glad to see you, Tom, and have
a friend here to meet you"
''The friendY' was the laughing ques-
ton.
"The only" was the reply. 81 predict
you'll say so, too"
Tea was called in a few minutes. and
so Ruth did not meet Uncle Tom till
they entered the dining room. Then be-
fore she had become accustomed to the
lights or could think what she would
say Mays voice said in a sort Of trem-
bling quaver: Ruth, this is my Uncle,
Mr.. Gordon-Uncle Tom, you know"
Ruth looked. A young man not over
25 stood before her with right hand
extended. He had the brightest of
laughing blue eyes, and his hair of
brown was so curly that May was al
ways threatening to buy him side
combs TO keep 1t in place. He was,
to say the least, somewhat astonished
at the demeanor of Mays friend, for
I've suddenly collapsed into a chair,
5uI y laughed. and lnnphed. and lanrhed