Smyrna times., 1913-05-28
Uncle Benjamin
BY MAI STEVENS.


a little.
'Forty-six, I'm almost sure. I'll
try it anyway"
Ringing the bell. he soon found |
himself within the house.
Yes. this is Mary" answered a |
charming young woman who had has
tened to greet him the moment the |
door opened" and a thousand vel
comesl But how did you miss my
husband? He went to meet you.
How lovely that you are here for
baby's first anniversary. Oh, am
so very glad. And his Aunt Con
came yesterday. Surely we ought
to have a merry time. But | expect
ed to see you much older, Uncle Ben
jamin. although John said that you
were wonderfully young for your
years. And now tell me-do l look
as you thought"
"Strange!' he said. "Why, Mary
dear, would have declared that your
eyes were brown"
/ OAAs nQs uAANAE LQA re NAAAAh~
ing Of Johns they are brown. But
see here comes BABY Did you ever,
ever see anything so beautiful. Just
notice what an intellectual brow he
has You may hold the darling cherub
if you'll be extremely careful. " And
Mr.. Ward, cOurteously submissive
found the infant deposited in his
arms. '0h be very very careful. ="
Put your other arm around him-so
please. There my sister is calling
me. Ill be back in a minute. Yes
I'm coming Constance -
COntance! Oh what memories that
name awoke in Benjamin Ward heart
memories of one with whom he had
exchanged tender vows beneath of
Italian skies one lost TO him, lost
forever-thrOugh hasty words caused
by a cruel Misunderstanding. She was
far away now somewhere in the Orient
he had heard. Would he ever look
upon her dear face again? He could
scarcely hope il; their paths seemed
eternally divided.
While he was still absorbed IN
thoughts of her, two gentlemen came
in the house and soon entered the
library.
Here we arel'' said the younger
one. cheerily. land L"
He paused, surprised to find his sOr
in the keeping of stranger. With
one chubby hand clutching this stran.
gers long mustache. and the other
dealing stacca TO blows, the baby
gloated over his prey.
''Mary's husband, / think" sale
: the victim, endeavoring to rise, g ant
I'm very glad TO see you.
I "You have quite the advantage o
me, sir" replied John Claremont
pleasantly. as he cordially prOffere
his hand.
- 81 am your uncle. smiingly ex
planned the unknown. and I'm sOrr
!. you took the trouble of going to tn
steamer.
"Sir?" interrogated Mr.. Glare
n mont, more mystified.
81 say I'm very sorry that 70
went down for me. Mary wOndere
that we missed each other. BY tn
way, John. she's grown tremendousl
pretty. She was rather plain as
child.
"Who are you, sir?" peremptoril
demanded the quick tempered Clar'
mont, displeased by his familiar mei
/. tion Of his wife.
: ''Your Uncle, said" impertu
badly responded the stranger, Will
the cherub thwarted in binding hin
set up a piteous wall. Your unc
4. Benjamin.
"ImpOsterl Scoundrell'' cried NJ
Claremont's elderly companion.
m. "what do you mean? am his unc
m. Benjamin.
m. "Were il not for fear of alarmir
my wife, said John ClaremOnt,
voice fortissimO. and addressing {
J. last speaker, "I'd send for the p
lice: as il is. uncle, I'll allow hi
to leave quietly if he does so
II once"
"Oh. what is the matter?" gasp
mamma, flying in at she "herus
cry, and beholding the angry faces
fore her.
matter enough. / should say, ~
piled her husband. Here's a ras'
trying to pass himself off as my an
. Benjamin.
''He is racal. " indignan
H. shouted the gentleman from whom
|H frightened mother was hurriealy Il
'n ing her baby. 81 am your une
Benjamin. Mary. and Ill prove
You have not seen me since you "
ten years old, so could not exp
you to positively idenify me, but
may ask"