The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-31
CHAPTER II.
THE BEST ~ WIS.
n URING- the remainder OF that da
II Bob took a long walk through II

III URING- the remainder or that day
- Bob took a long walk through the
country. He could not stay in the
house with Phil and Alice. He felt that
he had been wrOnged, whereas he was
only wronging himself.
How he wished he had not blundered
into the lie about Phil. he knew that
Phil had never heard of the prize the
uncle had placed for the nrst OF his
nephews that should marry. If he had
not made that rash statement things
might have run smoothly;
But now it was impossible Open war
| almost had been declared between his
uncle and himself.
When the younger nephew returned
to dinner he found Phil and Alice chat
ting confidentially. The sight maddened
him. Everything was working against
him, and he felt a great self-pity.
Al dinner there was strained att1-
tude on the part of every one but Alice
and her chaperOne. Even they scented
something strange in the air. There
was an atmosphere of mystery in the
| house.
/ After dinner Phil took Alice for a
drive as they had arranged in the after
noon, and Bob was invited to go along.
Shaking his head grumpily, the young
| fellow declined, and went to his room.
There he brOOded Tor an hour. He
must find some way to win out. On
what his uncles decision might depend
/ he did not know; but if Phil won Alice
( LNefG WOULD De little CIanCe LOE hlE4-
| The will would be charged. and his
cousin would get most Of the money.
An idea suddenly forced itself into
/ the young fellows brain. He worked
/ on il, rolled it back and forth for a
while. suddenly drew o4t a piece of
paper, and began trying to write back
| handed.
| Having practiced for some time, he
smiled 90 himself, found his work good,
| and then began writing in the same
manner on a clean sheet Of paper. Be
/ fore him lay several sheets on which he
/ had pracuced. and he brushed them
/ aside in order to have more room.
| While in the midst of his writing c.
| Eben entered the room. He was a
companion2ble serving man of Uncle
lacks. who had travelled with him
confidential servant.
| Bob hastily dropped a book over the
paper and turned toward Eben with an
/ insolent stare
| Have you got bit of paper? I want
to wrap up this bottle" said Ebe1i, ad-
vancing with small flask in his hand.
/ What are you bothering me about
/ that for?" exclaimed Bob.
/ Excuse me. sir. but the master is in a
| hurry for 1t, and It's too sticky to carry
/ TO the drug store unwrapped." AS he
| spoke the old retainer stopped TO the
/ door and picked up a crumpled bit OF
| paper, wrapping It quickly around thu
| bottle.
| Here! Don't take that niece" cried
/ Bob. suddenly realizing that il was one
/ on viii h he had prac1tced the back
/ hand writing.
/ A curious look came iulo the old mans
/ eyes. Bob remembered his suspicious
| nature and dropped his frightened man
| ner.
That's all right" he smiled, 81
/ thought II was q memorandum / want
/ ed: now get out of here
| Young Stevens breatFed sigh OF
| relief when the old fellow was gone. He
hoped that he had not aroused Eben's
| suspicion by his foolish outcry over the
| bit Of paper.
| It wouldn't make any difference The
| druggist would tear Up the scrap and
| put clean paper around the bottle.
| Then the young man returned to his
| work In a short time he had finished
| Stepping into the hall. II hesitated for
! a moment before the door to Alice's
| room.
Then ne went on downstairs and care
/ fully pushed the envelope he carried IN
| der the crack In the front door After
that he Hunted up his uncle and chaI-
f! lenged him to a game OF billiards.
/ Uncle Jack was greatly pleased by the
| change in Bob. He hoped that his reso-
luton to change the will had had a
| good effect on his younger nephew.
| At 10 O'Clock the game was in full
! swing and neither heard the sound OF
| carriage wheels coming up the drive.
! Zen minutes later Phil and Alice burst
Z into the billiard room. agioW with health
and good spirits. Bob greeted them
| cordially, and Uncle Jack rubbed his