Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-13
CHAPTER K.

my father died when l was only a
young girl. We had not much money,
and my mothers older brother took
us to his home to live. My mother
was his youngest sister. and he loved
her more than any one else living.
There was another sister, a half-sis-
ter. much older than my mother. and
she had one son. He was a sulky,
handsome boy. with a selfish, cruel
nature. He seemed TO be happy only
when he Vas tormenting some one. He
used to come to Uncle's TO visit when
was there, and he delighted in an
noying me. He stretched barbed wire
where he knew ! was going to pass in
the dark, to throw me down and tear
my clothes. He threw a quantity OF
burrs in my hair. and once he led me
into a hornets nest After we went
TO live at my uncle's, Richard was not
there so much. He had displeased my
uncle, and he sent him away TO
school; but at vacation times he came
again, and kept the house in discom-
fort. He seemed always to have a
special spite against me. Once he
broke a rare Dresden vase that Uncle
priced, and told him had done it.
Mother did not live long after Fa-
Their died, and after she was gone,
had mo- one 10 stand between me and
Richard. Sometimes / had to tell my
Uncle, but oftener tried to bear il,
because knew Richard was already a
great distress TO him.
AT last Richard was expelled from
college, and Uncle was so angry with
him that he told him he would do
nothing more for him. He must go to
work Richards father and mother
had not much money, and there we're
other children TO support. Richard
threatened me with all sorts OF awful
things II did not coax Uncle to take
him back into his good graces again.
told him would not say q word to
Uncle. He was very angry and swore
at me. When / tried to leave tho
room he locked the door and would
not let me go until ] screamed FOR
help. Then he almost choked me, but
when he heard Uncle coming he jump
ed out of the window. The next day
he forged a check in my Uncle's name.
and tried 70 throw susp,cion on me,
but he was discovered, and my uncle
disinherited him. Uncle had intended
70 educate Richard and start him well
In lie, but now he would have nothing
further 70 do with him. II seemed &c
work upon my uncle's health, all the
disgrace TO the family name, although
no one ever thought of my uncle in
connection with blame. AS he paid
Richards debts. 1t was not known
what the boy had done. except by the
banker. who was a personal friend.
We went abroad then, and every.
where Uncle amused himself by put.
ting me under the best music masterS
and giving me all possible advantages
IN languages. literature. and art
Three years ago he died at Carlsbad
and after his death went back to my
music studies, following his wishes in
the matter, and staying with a dear
old lady in Vienna, who had been kind
20 us when we were there before.
AS soon as my uncle's death was
known at home. Richard wrote the
most pathetic letter to me, protesting
deep contrition. and saying he could
never forgive himself for having quar-
relied with his dear uncle. He had 6
sad tale OF how the business that he
had started had failed and left hin
with debts. II he had only few hun
dred dollars. he could go on with i
and pay of everything. He said haC
inherited all that would have been hi:
II he had done right, and he recog
nized the justice OF it, but begged tina
would lend him a small sum until hi
could get on his feet, when he woulC
repay me.
Il had little faith in his reformation
but felt as IL cold not refuse hin
when was enjoying what might hav'
been his. so | sent him all the none!
had at hand. AS / was not yet o
age. could not control all the prop
erty. but my allowance was liberal
Richard continued TO send me volum
inous letters, telling Of his changes
life, and finally asked me to MARI!
him. l declined emphatically. but h
continued 70 write for money, Away
ending with a statement of his INDY
ing affection. In disgust, ! at las
offered TO send him a certain sum o