The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-15

that clearly, Ned. l don't insinuate
that your visit here is anything more
than one of friendship. but the poor
man is struggling hard to keep his
head above water. He hasn't got a
hundred dollars to lend. He hasn't
got fifty. I've given up my winter
clothes. and we don't even know how
Charlie can go back to school next
term"
My heart stopped beating. It seemed
too wonderful to be true.
That's all l have to say to YOU
upon that subject, Ned she contin-
ued. as they moved away. If you un-
derstand that, you are more than vel
come here"
Il understand. Matilda. You al
ways did think the worst of me-
said Uncle Ned.
That set me thinking. What was
the purpose of uncle's visit? l knew
he had been a desperate man in his
day. Could he have come to rob US.
and had mother suspected his designs
and uttered friendly warning that
they would not be tolerated?
For day or two after that mother
trailed the wicked uncle like a
shadow, especially when he was with
father. AS for me, repaired the old
pistol had found in the empty room,
and was on guard day and night.
loved Uncle Ned, but l would not suf-
fer him to rob those who had be.
friended him.
The mystery was explained about
a week after Ned's arrival.
Mother and l had seen him go out;
but a few minutes later he sneaked
in by the back way and went straight
to father in his library.
had spotted him. A man does
not inform his womenfolk when dan
ger IS imminent. l simply waited
under the stairs, the empty pistol in
my hands. | knew that Bill Buffalo
had cowed the Outlaw Of the Plains
with tobacco pipe, and | would not
scruple to intimidate Uncle Ned with
an empty weapon.
I could not hear what the men
were saying, but all at once mother
came hurriedly into the room. Her
womans instinct, never at fault-as
Dinah knew-had told her that the
crucial moment had arrived. She went
in and left the door unfastened.
Her voice was angrier than | had
ever heard it before. The men cow
cred before her feminine fury.
Il knew when you came here" she
cried, that you were going to try to
induce Jim to start you in life again
Start you in life, at forty-fve,"
Only forty three. Matilda" said
Ned in panied voice.
AT forty-three, then! My husband
has done more for you than any broth
er need do! And you shall not take
his last penny in the world"
DO you think | came to borrow
money, Tilly?" asked the wicked
uncle.
Il do, If know you"
why, Tilly, what an ideal" pro-
tested the wicked uncle Il made
my pile in Nevada last year, and
came home to pay back what | had
borrowed. But knew a black sheep
never turned white, and well, my
dear, l had little fun with you
That's all. Here's Jim's twelve thou
sand four hundred and nineteen cents
The nineteen cents | borrowed from
him to buy a rabbit when we were at
school together"
Then followed silence that might
be felt. Then | heard somebody kiss
ing somebody else.
You're still the same, Ned" said
father, in an odd, choked voice.
What pleases me best is that that
little chap will be able to go back to
school," said Uncle Ned
l sheathed my weapon, gritted my
teeth with batfled rage, and sought the
seclusion of my lair. | hate my
wicked uncle.