La Junta tribune., 1906-10-13

qulefln- though vague report reached
his niece she promptly laid aside her
palette wrote 10 Jane TO air the front
rooms and started for Alldale a month
before the close of the New York Art
school.
When her uncle met her al 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-crownins
shock-his head was surmounted by
tail six hat. Josephine Henry scarcely
recognized him.
How dye do, Josiet'' this new look
ing uncle inquired in the old, big
hearty voice.
josephine stopped short and stared.
.'tnele Ren"' Where is your beard:'
Uncle Ben looked embarrassed.
Gone, Josie; gone in a tight shave
Cost a quarter
Il hardly know you" continued Jo-
se.'h!ne, looking him over with uncer.
tain eyes.
Tell you what" Bennett Henry re-
toried In his jefky. good natured fash
ION, Il thought twas time ! kept up
with you. Cad! You're a sumner.
JOr'
And SO she Was. She was taller than
the average woman and dressed to en-
phasise her height. Her large black
hat sent its broad brim o1t over . face
which WAS capable Of many expires
sions, but the predOminating one WAS
pride. Ehe carried herself proudly, her
bead well back, her AGure erect, bef
step light. All her life she had culti
waited the pose which best expressed
her styk-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 Mt the fingers
of his gloves and ratified on at random.
"Awfully sorry, 10. you've come back
TO such lonesome house. II 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 a sickroom this hot weather
Well, hope Jane will feed you we'll
II she doesn't you know where there's
boss cook and always a 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
house opposite. "Uncle Is making quite
change, is he not. Janer' 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 II 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 TO remove her hat.
Her uncle, being an easy going and
jolly man. had shown alarming matri-
moniaI symptoms before. but Josephine
had always been enabled to check
them by use of prompt and skillful
measures.
She reviewed her maneuvers as she
sat staring at 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 in review all the eligible
women ia Alldale, with a possible oh
struction plan in each case. until the
rattle of wheels and the rapid thud of
horses hoofs 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. IL reappeared. crawling
slowly up the side of a mountain which
rose sharply from the town. and then
n paralyzing fear seized Josephine. she
, dashed into her mothers room, seized
a fieldglass which lay ON the table aud
was back at her post in moment.
raising the glass with unsteady hands.
Halfway ~ the mountain side was
Iercbed small brown house. stand
ing out ba-e and uasheltered against
the green. In front of that house Tn
Gle Ben secured his horses and. saun-
tering ny the steps with the air Of one
familiar with the place. sat down On
the piazza. In a moment a woman
Gaze oct of the house aud joined him
Josephine lowe-ed the glass. Her
cheeks were flaming. her hands were
cold. That brown house was the last
house in Alld2le where she would have
her uncle call. Ellea Beck was the last
woman in alidaie that she would have
had her uncle choose She sat down
and stared st the basfsp across the way
Was she toe iate: Her anger rose bot
" against her uncle who knew that
she and Ellen Beck had been rivals
frem the time that they contended fer
tAe sy<IhsG prise in tAe 9Th grade un-
n he Previous year. when Jim Ash
own yesepAine gave . sUoasn e1eIa-