The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-22
STINGy UNCLE GRAVES
BY ELIZABETH ScHOEN COBB.

Copyright. 1915. by w. G. Chapman)
We'll, l saw Uncle Graves safe to
the depot. all right
Il hope he enjoyed his stay with
US" murmured Myra.
Said he'd had the best time in his
life." declared Elwyn. why, Myra
you've been crying" and he stared
dolorously into her eyes.
Il peeled some onions" she lame
ly explained.
Yes. hours ago, for dinner. See
here, Myra. my uncle"
Our uncle" corrected Myra.
well. l am afraid you are sort OF
disappointed.
why should l be, dear?'
ITO be plain, Myra, think you have
reason to be. Uncle Graves is odd
and all that. and I am no beggar, but
he must have seen that with my be-
ing out Of work we are pretty well
pinched. You have had to turn all
kinds of hard corners to make things
appear comfortable. He might have
given you some kind of little pres
ent. Frankly, expected it, and
don't want you to think my relatives
are mean and stingy."
Uncle Graves!" exclaimed Myra.
"Oh. no, dear. really enjoyed his
| company. will say truthfully that I
hoped he would help you along a trifle
until You got work again. But maybe
he has troubles and is hiding them
just like ourselves"
We'll, maybe" assented Elwyn du.
biously. "but always thought that he
had plenty of means"
HE must lead a lonely life," went
on Myra sympathizingly. Then. too,
he has been SO disappointed in that
nephew of his, Bruce Wayne, who has
gone to the bad utterly. they say"
i am very glad you take it that
way" said Elwyn. 81 was caring only
for your disappointment"
Il am the happiest woman in the
world with you by my side!" declared
Myra brightly. NOW then, to get
down to practical every day life, sir!
Put on an apron and help me get
the table cloths and napkins we Dor
rowed from mother ready to do up"
"U-um!" observed Elwyn, glancing
in at the pantry mot much left to
go on. Ell, dear? Sugar-pretty low
Flour-why. there isn't more than two
bakings left" and Elwyn snapped open
and then snapped shut the flour box
near the open window.
well. by the time two bakings are
over and done with you may be back
at work and all kinds of good fortune
come to us!" chirped Myra hopefully.
Come. sir. to work with your down.
trodden, abused helpmeet! You dear
est. dearest darling!" and Myra gave
him a kiss that echoed through the
house, and both pitched into the work
before them as il it was jovial fun.
Crouched under an open side win
dow. wide awake and safely sheltered.
Sammy Jones listened intently to all
that had been spoken within the house.
Now he darted away. He made for
the railroad depot. There, his train
gone. and half hiding in a Swallowed
corner. was artful Uncle Graves.
well" he challenged, did you earn
that dollar?"
1--we tried to-" answered Sammy |
and proceeded to detail all that he had |
at the cottage.
Uncle Graves chuckled serepely.
Then he took a package from his
pocket. For two minutes there was a
low.whispered conversation between
the precious twain.
Il think l will make some hot bis.
cults for supper" announced Myra at
the cottage an hour later. There's
some of the honey left and it will
taste good. Mercy"
Myra uttered a sharp scream. Elwyn
rushed into the pantry to find her
staring down into the -four box.
There lay package. 1t bore the in
scription: For my dear niece, Myra."
She trembling with excitement, El.
wyn half guessing and eager as he
opened it. the eyes of both dilated to
heir widest.
There were ten crisp new twenty
iollar bills and a note. 1t was signed
Uncle Graves and it ran:
This will be placed by an emissary
where you will be sure to find 1t. That
is hired to report to me how
'ou regard stingy old Uncle Graves
lfter leave"
Grand old Uncle Graves!" voted
1lwyn gratefully. HE stopped over a
rain to carry out this little plot. The
econd train has gone, or I'd run after
lin to tell him what happiness he has
bestowed upon u.s."
The cycle OF good luck once started,
Kings seem to move all one way At
east Elwyn and Myra found this to
e true. Elwyn got work the next
ay. The little nest egg left in the
our box became the sure start of a ,
romising bank account.
To add to all the right roya! fortune
hat had come to them, in about a
lonth Uucle Graves made them a fly-
,g visit.
I am on a trip to get that graceless
ephew of mine out OF trouble again"
Q explained. Il think will check his ,
lad career this time, though"
Elwyn looked inquisitive and Myra
lterested.
i shall tell him that at the end OF
ach year live he will get thousand
ollars. provided he has behaved him.
Elf. That will make 1t to his interest
help prolong my life. see? IfIdie
gets nothing. I've made new will
aving what have to-" !,
There was a merry twinkle in tho