The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-21
UNCLE THAD'S
NURSE
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE

! Ilud.
He'll probably pull through with
good care; and he's going to get that
now. with trained nurse In the
house." replied Charlotte.
Then the Misses Trimbell looked
solemnly at each other across the
table, and their heads wagged grave.
ly In unison.
She's pretty young-and not bad
looking" said Selma.
Uncle Thad's bound to be grateful"
replied Charlotte. Likes not it'll hap
pen"
"You don't mean he'll marry herr"
Didn't you mean that yourself? 1t
usually turns out that way In case
like this"
But what'll become Of u.s."
Il don't know"
The Misses Trimbell looked at each
other and shook their heads again.
Then Selma Strengthened her spare
form and raised her sharp chin.
Now see here, Charlotte; this isn't
going to happen II can help It! I'll
admit the possibility Of the thing. Un-
Gle Thad's well preserved man. and
he's got lots of money. We're his
nearest Of kin. barring young Thad-
and he's never heard Of him since
their quarrel. We're Trimbells. any
way. and he was his sisters boy and
Velsor. And you know how he hates
that stock. 1t isn't likely he'd even
speak to him again. II he met him"
And it isn't likely he'll ever meet
him. He was too wild to come to any
good. It's this strange woman I'm
afraid Of. now. She's got deter.
mined look In her eyes"
And she dresses too frivolous. |
was struck when she got out at the
door In that light suit and hat
loaded with feathers-and high heeled
shoes! And she has put herself right
in as II she was boss here and we were
the servants, or nobody"
Trained nurses always do that" re-
marked Charlotte. but there's some
thing about her that looks like an--an
adventures!
Goodness gracious. Charlotte!"
Yes. there's something mysterious.
Selma. But We must circumvent her"
We WILL" agreed Selma solemnly.
Uncle Thad began to improve under
the ministrations Of his new nurse. He
had strong constitution and he had
always taken good care Of himself.
Miss Scott was a model member OF
her profession, lightfooted and deft.
handed. with gentle voice and a
soothing, magnetic personality. But
she could not help dimpling when she
smiled. and the little chestnut curls
would escape from ner white cap In
the most capriciOus way. Her plain
dress showed the youthful curves Of
her figure. and her low laugh was de-
lightfully musical.
Every time she looked at the Misses
Trimbell they shuddered. Such a sly
significance in her look, and yet 1t was
most fascinating! If she looked like
that at Uncle Thad-well, he was only
human. poor man!
Miss Scott" said Selma. one day,
you've no idea how illness has
changed our poor uncle He's so meek,
SO quiet; it doesn't seem possible he's
the same man."
Hes very good patient" Miss
SCOTS head nodded and the truant
curls bobbed merrily.
"Oh. but YOU should see him when
he's well Patient isn't the right word
then. He's a perfect tyrant-and his
RACES would make you quail"
'lndeed?"
Yes" Miss Selina's voice sank to
deep whisper. Il never would say
this, only want you to understand
if he begins to get disagreeable. It's
almost impossible to live with him
when he's himself. And he's that
stngy. We have a hard time of it.
Charlotte and |, and IL he wasn't our
uncle"
But he isn't really your uncle"
Selma flushed.
Did he tell you that? But we're
his cousins and we've always called
him uncle because we're SO much
younger. He's much older than he
looks
Why. he told me his age; fifty
three"
OF, he's sensitive about that. He
always knocks off ten years more
And he's always been vain of his &C.
emulation of money; likes to have
folks think him richer than he is He
told us what he was worth when We
came here. cause he made 1t all over
us; and. barring the house. which is
fine one, but heavily mortgaged. he
has very little. very little We were
surprised. weren't We. Charlotte?"
Yes. uncle's very queer" replied
Charlotte portentously.
We'll. of course he never spoke of
such things to me-" said Miss Scott.