The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-20
Tie Ring d Ine MQIIah0|1l.
eCspyright. 1889. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
tcOSrINUEp.l
CHAPTER III.


Miss Rodney made her preparations
Hos leaving London that evening. and
nine days later she was in the bosom of
hsr family. She had been able to learn
nothing about Guy Stsdley IN London.
ITO think that I should run across
eAis beast and not be able to find out
anything about thst fine y yaung fellow
low can two men with the same ma
turss be 90 antipodslly sundered in
eharacterf" she thought with wonder
Aiss Rodney had derived a great
oenent from her outing She had been
ffesd from the trials of home life, which
had always oppressed her more heavily
than either her mother or her sister IL
wss Q satisfaction to feel that she could
1eet her uncle with the thing she had
sst out to do an accomplished fact.
Ghs longed for the very palpable reward
Il her heroic task which the old man
had promised her In the moment Of
softsning which had come upon him.
Min Rodney had never failed to con-
SIMULATE herself on having made him
Dat 10 In writing snd of securing wit.
nsDes - the important document.
4rA Rodney and Rose had not been
cut very much. The death Of the
Oountess OF Carrington had given them
an excuse for being little less in So
c)sty. Mra Rodney had not failed to
make use Of this opportunity. II was
: something TO be able to practice econ.
amy with q deceased countess as the al
1sgsd cause Of Il. She had wanted to 90
Into mourning. but Uncle Josiah had
: Doohpoohed that with animosity.
'sWhy, you hadn't heard from Ma
t11da for i've years. and now You want
90 spend money In advertising your re.
Urs4 for such dear. devoted sister. Tell
'em she's dead. and that will do as well
md cost less"
So Mra Rodney had contented her.
'sslf with wearing black rather more
1Aan usual Whenever there wss a good
occadon. she managed to convey the
4npreesjon that the family was in
nDourning condition over the death OF
ssDy sister. the Countess Of CARING
1on." bat she had fired OF these shots
when Uncle Josiah was not around.
ne knew that she could not count on
apy support from her sharp tongued
9oeher In this direction.
0io Roiney had taken an early op.
Dugtunity to talx with her uncle on the
0b3ect Of his promise In case she should
~0cceed In the attempt to climb the
0atterhorn-, The old gentleman had
ehown no curiosity on the subject. In
1act. hs had seemed almost to avoid an
occasion for private talk with her.
Bot one day Mrs Rodney and Rose
had gone ont for the afternoon, and
Florence soon after came in where the
old gentleman was reading. She seated
Aersslf and began:
"Well. uncle. now that have shown
you that I could do what said could,
suppose you will keep your part Of
the agreement. You lost your wager
Jon know" she said pleasantly.
"What wagerf What agreement
he replied srubbily. looking up from
his paper ss II he did not wish TO be
disturbed.
Uncle Jcsiah's apparent forgetfulness
concerning the Matterhorn wager fairly
amazed his niece
"why. I suppose You know what
this paper is" returned Florence,
drawing the agreement from her
pocket lyon did not think could get
70 the top Of tho Matterhorn. and You
agreed here that IL I did within six
months you would give me money or
stock or something that would yield me
IN income Of 10000 year. I have
climbed the Matterhorn and in lees
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 o.
81 haven't got the money about me
now. replied Uncle Josiah sarcastic
ally. "We'll talk about IL scme other
time IL doesn't say there how soon it
must be paid. does it2''
''No. OF course. yon know, I am not
insisting on your doing il at once. But
it was gracious impulse. l believe.
that led you to promise me this. I only
want TO know what l am to expect"
''Oh. thought you said it was put
Gown wnat you bad 10 expectT said
the old man, looking at her.
"Uncle. there Is no use in bandying
words about IL. II you have a spark Of
honor. you know that now you owe me
this money Your word Is concerned.
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 Matterhornf" said Uncle Josiah
incredulously.
81 should think my word was proof
enough" retorted Miss Rodney, with
some spirit "You never knew me to
Ne In your life.
II know mighty few girls who
wouldn't tell q little white fb q they
could get $4,000 q year by it,.
ehurkled IYucia Ioaiah