The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-06-29

miGs OF oranges, opened before her
Mr.. Livingston might listen until
nightfall or hoarseness silenced Uncle
John; she escaped and found refuge
from the situation, If not from herself,
IN her quiet hotel room.
Refreshed by bath and fortified by
fresh gown she awaited the arrival
Of her uncle and aunt. Uncle John
came into the parlor excitedly discuss
ing the probability of finding her here
as he opened the door.
Margaret murmured something about
having stepped into a side aisle to
look at some very beautiful prunes
and thus losing her way. Uncle John
assured her Of his regret. Aunt Eliza
was silent. The stranger looked un-
comfortable, almost embarrassed.
Mr. Livingston is stopping here,
too, so he'll take dinner with u.s." ex-
planned Uncle John, as they departed
to make ready for that meal
Wondering how it would all end she
made her way with her chattering
relatives to the table in the small din
!ngr0om. She was grateful for the
chilling presence of a black and white
automatOn Of a waiter He seemed. in
some way means OF postponem ent
Of the moment of judgment
And what time do you pat the corn
crop usually?" she heard Uncle John
say. With unbeleving ears she heard
the answer:
Oh, at the end Of the rainy season
in February or March, as a rule"
lowa's rainy season, in March!
Margaret gasped in anticipation Of
Uncle Johns scatElng remarks. Uncle
John lad spent his boyhood on an
Iowa farm. Lut me only inquired fur
thtr:
I didn't suppose the ground would
be ready 10 work so early in the
spring"
oh, yes, it's muddy sometimes, and
uisSgrCeable TO handlc-too soft in
fact"
AIars2ret closed her eyes ard caught
glimpse Of an Iowa corn field in
AarcE-the grayish-ycllow stalks
stitching up through four or five feet Of
$40" DRIFT Maliciously, it seemed to
Margaret, did Unclc John Iced the con
fused Young informant through tortu.
Gus WAYS of misinformation.
From .3chtail to demi tasse the in
4uisi,lon lasted With an almost over
"Asl"ins desire to scream. Margaret
lna!ly led the procession of FOUR from
lie dining room along endless, red
aIFc'ed Corridors TO The little sitting.
room. A change, even a scene Of the
torture, was welcome rest.
! thought your nephew. Mr. Jenk.
ms, was coming to take dinner with US
ouish;." she said by way Of converse
ion 10 aunt Eliza. 0 when she sup
Yasod tho amply-propoytioned shadow
beside her on the window curtain be.
'cngcd.
lie aid" slowly answered the voice
If the blunderer about corn crops and
Iowa harvests.
In wiid-oyed amazement Margaret
aced him
'Ht-2Ld-yOu are" she gasped
Yes, he did and | am"
And he fruit ranch and the"
Words failed her in the recollection Of
'ncle Johns minute description Of the
jenkins homestead.
Yes" very carefully. as one on I'M
safe reading. but I'm not the mis-
ogamist, Uncle john"
And Uncle John made Aunt Eliza
keep still. Those two old geese are
up in their room laughing their old
eyes out he loves a joke better-than
a good meal of Aunt ELIAS own cook,
ing"
Uncle John loves joke. Why, |
thought Uncle John had no-and now
he'll think-youN all think"
Uncle John has asked me to go for
visit with them and you to their
ranch in order that may tell you
think. Shall II"