The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-18

had overheard, he had been most disposed to
like her.
They're too pretty, Uncle" she answered.
with sigh Il won't play fox and grapes.
There's ball-dress in pink silk, with
But you wouldn't understand"
mot from the pictures. perhaps" he
owned; but know pretty dress when
example. You'll be wanting dress fer
the ball, / suppose, my dear?"
Yes" she said, turning her head away:
II shall be wanting one."
Marian had particular reason for wish
Ing to go to the ball at the squire's; but
Suppose We were to run up town next
week." Uncle suggested, land have a look
around the shops-you and I? We might
t try If am, am as stupid as you think about
He winked meaningly. And Marian
jumped right out of her chair and kissed
him.
You are really and truly kind, uncle"
she said. you don't know how l want
to go to that ball"
Uncle rubbed of the kiss as soon as she
had left the room.
II could have killed that child" he NUT
tered. blinking Indignantly II anyone had
told me that she would be so underhanded
and mercenary. I'd have knocked them
down."
After these conversations they were all
very attentive to Uncle and Marian always
kissed him for ood-night and that made
him feel so very bitter. He used to pace
UP and down his bedroom and clench his
hands when he thought of them
However, he dissembled his bitterness very
successfully, and continued to show a keen
interest in all their concerns.
He not only jotted down particulars of
fathers bill, and undertook to see the money
lender. but suggested that little capital
was what father wanted to start him fair.
and he must see about it."
He reminded mother that new furniture
required new appointments in keeping, and
she might as well send for all the neces-
sary catalogues while she was about it.
He thought, too. that a bigger house like
the one the doctor was leaving, would be
better.
I'VE want good, big room for parties
for the children. he observed.
He pointed out to Bob that young fell
low at university needed a liberal allow
ance. so that he could go the pace with
the others; and he should never dream of
sending him there without 1t. He would
not hear OF his paying part of his ex-
penses by teaching.
MY nephew must keep up proper posi-
tion," he pronounced firmly.
He explained to Marian that a young
girl needed a large variety of dresses and
hats, and jackets, suitable for all occa-
sions. ii she was to appear to proper adj
vantage; and that foolish old uncle must
be excused for being proud of a pretty
niece.
In short. he was amiable to everybody.
anu on ali OCCASIONS. Even MINK ana tne
servants liked him. The family professed
to think him the incest and kindest uncle
that ever was. He was really crotchety
and strong-tempered old man, he assured
them; but they vowed that they did not
believe him.
He fixed a date for carrying out what he
called his little surprises" He meant
them to be one big surprise-the announce
ment that he had overheard their conversa-
tion, and had seen through their mercenagy
motives all song and that they should
never have penny from him, alive or
dead.
He used to rehearse the speech in his
bedroom at night. When they heard him
they laughed as they thought that he was
hunting lions and tigers in his dreams.
Just before the day, however, he hit upon
a refinement. of his revenge. which he called
"retribution."
He would not tell them what he had
heard. but merely that he had received news
of the total loss of his fortune. Then they
would change their attitude towards him.
and convict themselves without fail.
When they had convicted themselves
driven him from the house. he would tell
them the facts; and leave them with the
assurance that they might have had all the
things he had promised, and more, IL they
had behaved uprightly to him.
- would be an extra refinement OF
Marian. She was naturally affectionate, and
she probably did like him a little for him
self, though she did not know Il and she
was not without conscience
The dresses would be burning Goals Of
IRE to her; and she deserved burning coals
kisses would cease after he avowed his ruin,
OF course That would be one Of the points
(ConciHdaf on Sagr9