Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-07-21
Uncle Terry
...By...
CHARLES CLARK MUM
Copyright, 1900. by Lee & Shepard
CONTINUED

CONTINUED
rl0w that Frank and his rasnIonaDIe
sister were coming to Sandgate, Alice
felt good deal worried. Firstly.
she knew her own stock of gowns
was inadequate. While not vain of
her looks, she yet felt his sister would
consider her countrified in dress or
else realize the truth that she was
painfully poor. She had made the
money her brother gave her go as far
as possible. Her own small salary
was not more than enough to pay cur
rent expenses. When the day and train
arrived, and she had ushered her two
guests to their rooms, her worry began.
A trunk had come, and as she busted
herself to help Aunt Susan get supper
under way before she changed her dress
she was morally sure Miss Mason
would appear in gown fit for state
dinner. But when she was dressed
and went out on the porch, where her
guests were, she found Miss Blanch at
tired in white muslin, severe In its
simplicity. 1t was pleasant surprise,
and at no time during their stay did
Alice consider herself poorly clad.
During the conversation that evening
Blanch gave an interesting description
of her life In the mountains, who were
there, what gowns the ladies wore, the
hops, drives, tennis, croquet and whist
games, and when that topic was ex-
hausted Alice turned to Frank and
said, Now, tell us about your trip"
There is not much to TELL" he an
swered in a disappointed Tone 1.-THE
fact is, my yachting trip was failure.
had two weeks trip all mapped out
no end of stores on board, and antici-
pated lots of fun, but 1t didn't materi-
allie. The second day Bert got left on
the island, and we didn't find him I'M
til the next day In the meantime he
had found pretty girl and acted as if
he had become smitten with her Then
we ran to Bar Harbor, and the rest Of
the boys found some girls they knew
and decided that a gander cruise had
lost Its charms. So I threw up my
hands and turned the Gypsy over to
Bert, and for all know or care he is
using her to entertain his island fairy"
Alice Joined with Blanch in a good
laugh at Franks description of his trip.
When the chitchat slowed down Alice
said: II don't know how to entertain
you two good people in this dull place.
There are mountains and woods galore
and lots Of pretty drives. And" look
ing at Frank, 81 know where there is
a nice mill pond full of lilies and an
old moss covered mill and miller that
looks like picture in story books.
There is also drive to the top of the
rnonntain. where the view Is simply
sgrand. have a steady going and
Faithful old horse, ana we Will go wher-
ever you like"
DO not worry about me, Miss Page"
replied Blanch. "If can see mountain
and woods am perfectly happy"
When the evening was nearing its
close Frank begged Alice to sing, but
she declined.
"Do you play or sing, Miss Nason"
she asked cautiously.
tOh, please don't be afraid of me-"
was the answer. II never touched q
piano in my life. Once in awhile join
in the chorus, as they say, for my own
amusement and the amazement Of 9TH
ers, but that is ALL"
It wasn't all, for she played the
guitar and sang sweetly. Finally Alice
was persuaded to open the piano. and
then out upon the still night air there,
foated many an old time ballad. After
that she played selections from q few
Of the latest light operas that Frank
1 had sent her and then turned away.
"Oh, don't stop now" exclaimed both
her guests at once. "Sing few more
songs" Then, with almost an air of
Z proprietorship, Frank arose and, going
ito the piano, searched for and found
well worn song. Without word he
opened it and placed it on the music
rack. 1t was ben Bolt" A faint
s color rose in Alices face, but she turn
Il ed and played the prelude without a
word. When she had sung the first
verse, to her surprise Blanch was stand
ing beside her and joined her voice in
the next one. When it was finished
" Frank insisted on a repetition, and aft
er that all three sang dozen more of
4 the sweet old time songs so familiar
IS to all. Then Alice left the room to
bring in light lunch, and Frank
seized the opportunity to say, "Well,
sis, what do you think?"
M Il think" she replied, "that you
sSiwere foolish to go yachting at ALL If
aNI had been you should have come up
here in the first place. stayed at the
D hotel and courted her every chance I
could. am in love with her myself,
Ind we haven't been here six hours
~ Frank stepped up to her quickly and.
talking her face In his hands, kissed
CHAPTER XVIII.