Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-06-28
Copyright
CHAPTER XXI.
Continued.

Continued.
Remember, you must not say a
word Of all this to your father be-
forehand," continued uncle Sam.
"Your father is fool, and fool is
always marplot. Before you actual
ly undertake the task, it is well you
should realize that success may amount
to little more than failure. Your father
may appropriate the whole Of the Sc
quins the moment they are recovered
for they are rightly his), give you
half-a-crown for your pains, and send
me q two-line apology on a postal
card. Perhaps you may reasonably
hope for more generous treatment, but
It's hard to say. Nothing is SO diff
cult as to forecast the acts Of an in-
competent, stupid man."
Though my unclc's bitterness against
my father was easy TO understand, l
found every exhibition of it hard 10
bear. 1t was not in my power to de-
fepd the man who had the greatest
claim upon my gratitude, and whom
1 still preferred before all other men,
so remained silent. Something Of the
detection his words had caused must
have appeared in my face, for uncle
Sam, taking my hand in his and hold
ing it tightly, continued in a kindller
tone, while he regarded me steadfastly
to observe the effect his words pro-
duced:
"If you clearly carry out my sug-
gestions, our family differences will
be mended if not ended. What in
England is thought to be 4 comforta-
bic fortune will be rescued from the
clutch of contemplate old crank,
who has gone wrong at the accidental
sight of heap of gold, and your father
and you-or one of yOu-bcnetited to
that extent. The friendship Of your
father l don't want Il am sorry to say
anything painful TO you. Ernest, but
such is the TRUTH; yet, l repeat, 1t
would lie Il satisfaction to me to know
that he had been brought to a knowl'
edge of the wrong lie has done me.
These things it is i'll your power to
effect; but to do so you must be cool
and cautious, yet bold. Observe close.
ly, deliberate profoundly; and, your
conclusions once reached, act promptly
and with vigor. Clothe your reserve
in many words. When | wish to avoid
making assertions, talk most. Your
task is not q hard one, and you have
at least an average share OF ability.
If you had been my son | would have
subjected you to training winch
would have enabled you to engage
with confidence i'll Il matter so simple
and easy as this
II am sorry you have NO son, uncle
! remarked.
Reserve your sorrow for greater
need" answered uncle Sam quickly,
land tell me, are you disposed to fol
low my adviceT
Yes, uncle, l am" | answered firm
ly. Il believe your theory is correct.
and will do my best TO carry out
all you have proposed"
VERY good. Your prompt decision
augurs we'll for your success. When
will you return!'
"The sooner the better. Say next
week. l suggested.
"Why 50 long delay?" asked uncle
Sam. THE man is old and feeble,
and whenever he dies no one will be
surprised. Every day that passes tells
against us. Let ne see. This is Tues
day and the Umbria leaves on Thurs
day; better let me book you passage
by her."
Thoughts of leaving my Constance
almost as soon us | had found her
again, and of Immediately renewing
the monOtonous life on an Atlantic
liner which only two days before
had abandoned with so much thank.
fuJness, We're far from agreeable to
me; but l was now almost as eager
as my uncle was to bring the affair
of the sequins to termination, and
therefore asSeuted to this proposal
also. -
Uncle Sam was much gratiticd, and
If he had not expressed his satisfaction
in words (Which he did very explicitly
the merry twinkle of his bright eyes
and his pleasant smile would have
sufficiently denoted it. He not only
undertook to secure my passage to
Liverpool In the Umbria, but insisted
upon my accepting, then and there,
gift of $1,000, which sum he handed
States bank notes-seven for 500 each,
and six for $50 each. "Therc," said
he, as he selected them from the
thick packet of greenbacks which filled
his pocketbook, put those thirteen
bills in your pouch. To-day is the
thirteenth of September, and l dine
at Knickerbocker Cottage tonight with
the Thirteen Club. | have been mem
Der of that club ever since its forma
ton; but though ! was not supersti
tious when l Joined it, have become
so since; because, in rcserving import
ant affairs for the thirteenth of the
month in defiance of the old super
stitlon, | observed that those same az
fairs invariably turned out we'll. And
50 you will find in this case"
AS my experience widened, my shy
ness decreased, and at this point | i'll
formed uncle Sam Of the impression
which his fair sister-in-law had made
upon me, and of the provisional pro
mise which she had so sraciously girer
ne-a declaration wbel. not long be