Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-01-02

had overheard. he had been most disposed to
like her.
They're too pretty. Uncle" she answered.
There's a ball-dress in pink silk WITH
But You wouldn't understand"
mot from the pictures, perhaps" he
owned; but / know pretty dress when
/ see it on pretty girl--like you, for
example. You'll be wanting q dress fer
the ball, / suppose, my dear?"
Yes" she saids turning her head away:
Il shall be wanting one"
Marian had a particular reason for wish
ing to go to the ball at the squire's: but
the dress seemed an insuperabie difhculty.
Suppose we were to run up town next
week., Uncle suggested, land have a look
around the shops-eyou and 1? We might
these matters. eh?"
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 ! want
to go to that ball"
Uncle rubbed off 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
aud mercenary. I'd have knocked them
down."
After these conversations they we're all
very attentive to Uncle; and Marian always
kissed him for goodnight 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 a 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 we'll send for all the neces-
sary catalogues while she was about It,
He thought, too. that bigger house like
the one the doctor was leaving, would be
better.
I'VE want a good. big room for parties
for the children. he observed.
He pointed out to Bob that q 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
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 young
girl needed a large variety of dresses and
hats. and jackets. suitable for all occa-
vantage: and that foolish old uncle must
niece.
In short, he was amiable to everybody.
and on all occasions. Even Mink and the
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 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 CONVERSE
ton, and had seen through their mercenary
motives all along. 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 ne 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
things he had promised and more II they
had behaved uprightly to him.
II would be an extra refinement OF
retribution to send a couple of dresses to
Marian. She was naturally affectionate, and
she probably did like him little for him
self. though she did not know IL and she
was not without conscience.
The dresses would be burning Goals Of
fire to her; and she deserved burning Goals
for kissing him to get his money. The
kisses would cease after he avowed his ruin.
Of course! That would be one of the points
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