The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-20
The Ring Of The HQIial0|l.
By JOHN ]. a'BEGKBT.
Icopyright 1889, by American Press Asso-
ciation-l
lcoSTISUED.l
By JOHN j. a'BECKET.
icoNTINJED.1
CHAPTER III.

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her family. She had been able to learn
nothing about Guy Stadley in London,
.sTo think that I should run across
this beast and not be able to find out
anything about that fine Young fellow!
How can two men with the same ma
lures be so ant;podally 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-
eratulate 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 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.
ssWhy, you hadn't heard from Ma
tilda for FIVE years and now you want
to spend money in advertising your re-
gret 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
.tmy sister, the Countess of Caring
fon,'' but she had fred 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-
portpnity to talk with her uncle on the
snbject 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,
/ 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. I suppose you know what
this paper is. returned Florence,
drawing the agreement from her
pocket. .sYo1 did not think could get
to the top of the Matterhorn, and you
agreed here ths, if did within six
months you would give me money or
stock or something that would yield me
an income of $1,000 year. | have
climbed the Matterhorn and ii 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!'
81 haven't got the money about me
now." replied Uncle Josiah sarcastic
ally. "We'll talk about 1t some other
time. 1t doesn't say there how soon it
must be paid. does it,
..No. Cf course, you know, l am not
insisting On your doing it at once. Bat
it was a gracious impulse, believe.
that led you to promise me this. only
want to know what am TO expect.
..Oh. l thought you said it was put
down what you had to expect?, said
the old man. looking at her
'.Uncle. there is no use in bandying
words about it. If You have a spark Of
honor. you know that now you owe me
this money Your word is concerned.
I have done what said ! would. and |
want 70 know when you will do your
part. replied his niece firmly
How do l know that you climbed
the Matterhornf said Uncle Josiah
incredulously.
Il should think my word was proof
enough. y retorted Miss Rodney, with
some spirit. .'You never knew me to
lie in your life.
Il 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.
4sy hove 4bo Affidavit of each OF the