The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-08-20

- Henry. ana when certain dis
quleting though vague report reached
his niece she promptly laid aside her
palette, wrote to Jane to air the front
rooms and started for Alldale n month
before the close of the New York Art
school,
When her uncle met her at the station
his appearance confirmed her worst
fears. He was smoothly shaven. his
iron gray hair was closely cropped. his
suit new and jaunty. while-crownine
shock-his head was surmOunted by a
tall silk hat. Josephine Henry scarcely
recognized him.
How dye do, Josie?" this new look
hearty voice
Josephine stopped short and stared.
Uncle Benz Where is your beard?"
Uncle Ben looked embarrassed.
''Gone. Josie; gone in tight shave.
Cost quarter
Il hardly know you" continued Jo-
sephine looking him over with uncer-
tain eyes.
Tell you what Bennett Henry re-
torted in his jerky. good natured fash
ion, Il thought twas time kept up
with you. Cad, You're sumner,
Jo!'
And so she was. She was taller than
the average woman and dressed to en-
phasize her height Her large blac
hat sent its broad brim out over face
which was capable Of many express
sions. but the predOminating one was
pride. She carried herself proudly, her
head well back. her figure erect her
step light. All her fife she had cult
waited the pose which best expressed
her style-and expectations. for she
was Bennett Henry's only heir and
would continue such, provided he did
not marry.
They came in sight Of two white
houses facing each other on opposite
sides of the street. Josephine gave
one glance at her uncle's house and
bit her lips. Her uncle exceedingly
uncomfortable, picked at the fingers
of his gloves and ratified on at random
"Awfully sorry. 10. you've come back
TO such lonesome house. If you'd
waited awhile longer your mother d
be back. Guess her sister is some bet
ter now. Mighty hard lines to be shut
up in Il sickroom this hot weather
Well. | hope Jane will feed you we'll
If she doesn't You know where there's
boss cook and always welcome"
Josephine turned in at her gate. say
ing coldly and tremendously, Thanks,
uncle; am sure Jane and | will get
along nicely
Jane admitted her. On the threshold
Josephine turned and glanced at the
carpenters at work identifying. the
house opposite. Uncle is making quite
change. is he not. Jane?' she re-
marked carelessly. and the girl grinned
knowingly as she replied. Folks do
say, Miss Josephine. as he's gettin'
ready for bigger change"
Josephine smiled calmly. but it was
with heavy and angry heart that she
went upstairs to her own room. she
sat down in front of the window with
out stopping II remove her hat.
: Her uncle being an easy going and
jolly nan. had shown alarming matri-
monial symptoms before. but Josephine
had always been enabled to check
them Ir use of prompt and skiIlful
measures.
She reviewed her maneUvers as she
sat staring 1T the improvements across
the street. There was evident need of
prompt action on her part. but she was
handicapped by lack of knowledge.
She had yet to learn for whose benefit
these changes were being made. She
began to pass III review all the eligible
women in Aildale. with Il possible OBJ
struction plan in each case. until the
rattle of wheels and the rapid thud of
horses h0ofS aroused her.
1t was her uncle in his high hat and
gloves, driving a smart new trap. The
vehicle rolled down the long street and
disappeared. 1t reappeared, crawling
slowly up the side of Il mountain which
rose sharply from the town. and then
a paralyZing fear seized Josephine. She
dashed into her mothers room, seized
q fieidglasS which lay on the table and
was back at her post in moment
raising the glass with unsteady hands
Halfway NJ the mountain side was
perched small brown house, stand
ing out bare and unsheltered against
the green. In front of that house Tn
Gle Ben secured his horses and. saun-
terng mp the steps with the air of one
familiar with the place. sat down on
the piazza. In Il moment Il woman
came Out OF the house and joined him.
Josephine lowered the glass Her
cheeks were tdnin@ her hands were
cold That brown house Was the last