Free press., 1907-01-12

had overheard. he had been most disposed to
They're too pretty, Uncle" she answered.
There's ball-dress in pink silk. with-
But you wouldn't understand"
mot from the pictures, perhaps" he
/ see it on pretty girI@iike 70 you. for
example. You'll be wanting a dress fer
the ball. I suppose, my dear?"
YES" she said. turning her head away
II shall be wanting one"
Marian had a 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
try if am as stupid as you think about
these matters. eh?"
He winked meaningly. And Marian
jumped right out Of her chair and kissed
''You are really and truly kind. uncle"
to go to that ball"
Uncle rubbed of the kiss as soon as she
81 could have killed that child he NUT
tered. blinking Indignantly. If anyone had
and mercenary. I'D have knocked them
down"
very attentive to Uncle: and Marian always
him feel so very bitter. He used to pace
hands when he thought of them
However, he dissembled his bitterness very
q
interest in all their concerns.
He not only jotted down particulars of
fathers bill, and undertook to the money
lender, but suggested that a little capital
was what father wanted to start him fair.
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
1--WE want a good. big room for parties
for the children. he observed.
He pointed out to Bob that young fell
low at university needed liberal allow
ance, SO that he could go the pace with
the others; and he should never dream of
sending him there without it, He would
not hear of his paying part of his ex-
penses by teaching.
MY nephew must keep up a proper posi-
ton" 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-
slons, If she was to appear to proper ad-
niece.
and on ali occasions Even Mink and the
servants liked him. The family professed
that ever was. He was really crotchety
and streng-tempered old man, he assured
them: but they vowed that they did not
He fxed date for carrying out what he
called his little surprises" He meant
ment that he had overheard their converse
tion, and had seen through their mercenary
motives all along and that they should
never have a 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
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
sufficiently, and insulted him and practically
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, if they
had behaved uprightiy to him.
IT would be an extra refinement of
retribution to send a couple of dresses tt
Marian. She was naturally affectionate. and
she probably did like him little for him
self, though she did not know it and she
was not without conscience.
The dresses would be burning Goals o.
fire to her; and she deserved burning coaI
for kissing him to get his money. Tht
kisses would cease after he avowed his ruin
OF course! That. would be one OF the point
(COHclaLded on 6dOs