The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-30
CHAPTER X.

she had one son. f1e was sunny
handsome boy, with selfish, cruel
nature. He seemed to be happy only
when he was tormenting some one. he
used to come to Uncle's to visit when
was there, and he delighted in an
moving me. He stretched barbed wire
where he knew I was going to pass in
the dark, to throw me down and tear
my clothes. He threw 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 q
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 no one to stand between me and
Richard. Sometimes had to tell my
Uncle. but oftener tried to bear 1t,
because knew Richard was already
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 60 to
work. Richards father and mother
had not much money, and there were
other children to support. Richard
threatened me with all sorts Of awful
things if l did not coax Uncle to take
him back into his good graces again.
| told him would not say word to
Uncle. He was very angry and swore
at me. When I tried to leave tie
room he locked the door and would
not let me 60 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 check in my Uncle's name
and tried to throw suspicion on me-
but he was discovered, and my uncle
disinherited him. Uncle had intended
to educate Richard and start him well
In life, but now he would have nothing
further to do with him. 1t seemed to
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, it was not known
what the boy had done, except by the
banker, who was a personal friend.
I'VE 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 dear
I old lady in Vienna, who had been kind
to us when we were there before.
las soon rs 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 8
, 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 60 on with II
and pay Of everything. He said hat
inherited all that would have been his
II he had done right, and he recog
nized the justice of it, but begged thai
would lend him small sum until he
could get on his feet, when he wouli
: repay me.
II had little faith in his reformation
but felt as if l could not refuse hin
when was enjoying what might have
] been his, SO sent him all the money
/ l had at hand AS | was not yet O
age, could not control all the prop
! erty, but my allowance was liberal
J Richard continued to send me volum
inous letters, telling of his changed
life, and finally asked me to marry
him. declined emphatically, but h.
continued to write for money, always
ending with statement of his INDY
ing affection. In disgust l at las
offered to send him certain sum o
money regularly II he would stol
writing to me on this subject, and fin
ally succeeded In reducing our CORE
spondence to q check account. ThiI
has been going on for three years, ex
cept that he has been constantly ask
Ing for larger sums, and whenever
would say that could not spar,
moro Just then he would begin tellinl
me how much he cared for me, an,
how hard 1t was for him to be separat
ed from me. l began to feel desperat,
about him. and made up my mind tina
when received the Inheritance
should ask the lawyers to make som,
arrangement with him by which
| should no longer be annoyed.
II 1T was necessary for me to return
to America when l came OF age, II
order to sign certain papers and tax,
full charge Of the property. Richar,
knew this. He seems to have had som,
, way Of finding out everything m,
Uncle did.
"He wrote telling me Of . dea
friend of his mother, who was soon I,
! pass through Vienna. apd = Ehs b,