The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-06-11
Uncle Robert and
The Predicament


--~~~~~~~-~~~~~~
~Chatfer, chatter. chatters- grumblei
Uncle Robert. stamping into the sitting
room on a well iex. q rheumatic leg and
a heavy cane. -wbere's Amer
in Z predicament.- answered Hiija.
Uncle Robert sank with a groan into
one chair. lifted his rheumatie leg %
another. and laid his cane across the
sewing table beside him.
-Predleanenf. heyT- be rumb.ed-
well. nov. let me tell you that no one
FIRE from rheumatism knows what =
predsenment H."
Perhaps not returned Hiida. with
declsloa. -bus n yon bad 70 wsar Aunt
Marsaret's Christmas presents. you'd
think direr~nfiy.- Mrs oreenieaf was
a yarn friend and near neigbhor q
the Turperx To Hlida and Anne she
was aunt Margaret -Aother.- con-
sinnsd Hllda. turning TO Mrs rupp~F.
u DO think yon ought 20 Interfere. The
very idea Of Anne's going up thers
with an evening dress that's old enough
fox you 70 wear. 20 say nothing o.
being shoddy-and among strangers.
eool frs peeposterons
Uncls Robert made q wry face and
moved bis rheumatic lex. booking about
for q cushion to place under tho knee
bot uilda dld not nottce- Neither did
Mrs Tupper. whose face wore an sx-
prr~sion IN which pspiexigy and sat.
.afacsion wrrc mingled.
NO. Ifida.- ahs rrturned. Anne
most aes for herpslf IN this NATTER
uneie Rpsert twisted he faoe into
q knot. emitted : sish. 20 which no az
fsnfioa was paid. and asked- testify.
-what's al this fuss about anywayY-
Anne has an invitation 70 = house
party bexsn Mira Tuppcr.
-And Aunt MarKsrrs's last Christ
mas present IL going 20 spoil u all.
Hllda interrupted Jus, a. Anne berseif
appeared on the sc~nc. bearing over Der
arm a dress. vo,umipous Ia quantity.
cheap In quality. and In color q deep
lavender.
Uncle Robert frowned forhiddingiy.
IF you had rheumatism. such TRIES
as dress wouldn't trouble you WHATS
shafr'
ITS the prcdicnmcnii- announced
rFiida. succincfiy.
Anne laid the drrzs gently over
-rt was lovely Of Aunt
Margaret 20 give IT, she aaid. simply.
~Huhi- CALCULATED Hiida. tits the
worst present she could have given
you. and should b. awfully ashamed
10 have you wear Il az that house
party r.
III dIdn't. Aunt Margaret would
BE-"
-Now. Anne.- interrupted HIlda. I'M
you've said the same thing
for two days or course she would be
hurt. but she'd be brought. nevcrthe-
less. 20 her nenscs II I hadn't hurt
her two years ago. I'd be going round
now IN q firercd cheap silk trimmed
With black braidi"
Anne looked down silently at the Oh
noxlous lavender. Only she knew how
hurt Aunt Margaret had been Her
Iips frightened. Airs. Tupper rocked
and looked at her young
pr daughter with smile. while Uncle
Robert groaned. rcadjuEted his rheu-
matte leg. and began drumming on the
arms Of his chair. process which set
lInda's nerves on edge.
Anne glanced up quickly. then
brought a cushion, and placed II under
The rheumatic knee, asking;
lis your rheumatism worse to-day.
uncler
The knots in Uncle Roberts face In
stantiy united themselves His eyes
lighted up. and he Strengthened HIM
,elf quickly, despite his lameness.
WORSE he voclferated. Worse
Wen, I guess II Isl Thought ia never
ret through last night ! went to bed
It ten, and lay awake until two. Then
dozed on for an hour-not a deep
sleep. you understand. only ntful
,ap-dnd after that I never shut my
.ypa until six" Uncle Robert looked
actually cheerful. AT six must have
iropped or again. because
"Annc," interrupted fiilda, ~ I'm
roIng TO alter this dress. want to be
.sout H."
Anne pushed the cushion trine
'arther under Uncle Roberts hnee. II
mink. Hilda. III not have II eouched.
Any alteration would hurt" !