Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-11-28
Uncle BOb's
Loving Cup


fSnSSw&N scene could not be given
xSSSET8DH permanent form by a sym
pathetic artist. Edith and
Louis Ridgely were standing by a lit
tie cot saying, or rather looking, good
night to their frstborn. She was tall.
graceful rather than imposing, and her
fine pale face was lit up by luminous
dark eyes that glowed with the expe-
rience of disappointed hopes and love
defeated by disobedience. Her wavy
black hair was such as might well
be called a woman's glory. But while
her whole appearance and poise suggest
ed a complete and healthful womanhood.
there was still something about her that
suggested a capacity for teasing that
might, if unchecked. develop into nag
ging. He, on the other hand. was also
tall, with a tendency toward corpuience.
Ills plump. clean shaved face had lines
of indecison that were compensated for
by an expression of warm heartedness
that is at the same time evidence of
quick temper. He was simply bubbling
over with the glorious self satisfaction OF
a happy father. AS for It-but it is a
sin to call baby 1t even with capital
the baby, the king of the household. he
was sleeping peacefully. There was moth
ing abort his breathing or little sleep
motionsit to indicate Group, collie or any of
the ailments of childhood. AS the happy
parents stopped over the little cot the
father began in an affectionate whisper:
isn't he
l. l. ApH no mother
raised a warning forefnger.
At that moment the doorbell reused
Che silent house with a double ring that
suggested urgency The baby started
and began to wriggle while the mother
matted hin.-?nd crooned softly to soothe
him back =, sleep. The husband tip
toed quickly out of the room so as to
reach the door before the bell should
ring again and complete its fell work.
When the baby was quoted and the door
had closed softly on the departure OF the
telegraph messenger. Mrs. Ridgely
brushed the brow of the tiny sleeper
with her lips in final good night tucked
the little coverlet about him, turned the
night lamp a shade lower and stole from
.he room. When she reached the par
Tor. she found that she had passed from
neace 10 A storm center. Her husband
was pacing back and forth in the parlor
and was simply convulsed with rage.
"Why, what's the matter Louis!
s.Iook-look at this! Read this" And
he held out crumpled telegram.
.sThe old scoundrel"' he continued.
soThe nerve of him. l shall Ick him
ont Of the house! How does he dare!
Huh
.'What's this? Uncle Bob. I'm COM
ing TO spend Thanksgiving with you-
Arrive tomorrow OH And the young
wife sank into a chair overwhelmed.
"Coming to sec how his little scheme
worked toward making US miserable, l
suppose But perhaps he will try to ex-
plain that it was all practical joke.
If he does. I'll show him where the
iaucE comes in and see if he enjoys IT.
ooh. you mustn't do anything hasty.
dear, Your own experience as lawyer
should show you that sometimes the
most inexplcahe things become quite
simple when they have been explained.
/ admit
s.There you are again. trying to find
an excuse for him. though you admitted
when we decided to settle the matter
forever and let bygones be bygones that
what he did was inexcusable II for no
other reason than that it had caused US
so much unhappiness. But the injury
was mostly-in fact, all-directed at me.
so of course | can never expect you to
look at the old scoundrel's conduct as
a. J, mn
panied with a scornful information and
look of unreasoning anger at his young
wife that reused her in turn.
well" she replied, with exasperatins
1uietness of tone. you must admit that
the real offense was not wholly has. Of
course he apparently did wrong in let
ting me know about your previous love
affairs. but be could not have done it Il
YOU had not been firt before you met
me and a deceiver after you did. lou
always protested thar You had never
loved before. and yet it seems that you
had been engaged
..Oh. don't start that an over again.
Confound it all. haven't l proved to you
hundred times that never really loved
any one but you?"
Yes. and your tones and actions just
now 80 a long way toward showing the
sincerity Of your protestations." she com
mented sarcastically as an angry flush
sufTused her checks.
But before following their quarrel fur
ther i, may be well to explain the real
:. cause of il. Uncle Bob was a bachelor
uncle C. Emma who was engaged in
.1r- ~r@N
Every few years il was his habit to come
cast IT, spend part Of his surplus. aud as
be was lavish il the entertainment Of his
nephews and nieces be was a wonderful