The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-01-14

that clearly, Ned. don't ipsinust,
That your visit here Is anything NOR,
than one Of friendship, but the poo
man Is struggling hard to keep hi,
head above water. He hasn't got 8
hundred dollars to lend. He hasn',
got nifty. I've given up my white,
clothes, and we don't even know how
Charlie can go back to school next
term"
My heart stopped beating. 1t seemed
too wonderful to be true.
That's all | have to say to Won
upon that subject, Ned, she contin-
ued, as they moved away. II you I'M
derstand that, you are more than well
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? | knew
he had been 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
shadow, especially when he was with
father. AS for me, repaired the old
pistol l had found in the empty room.
and was on guard day and night.
loved Uncle Ned, but / would not suf-
fer him to rob those who had be-
friended him.
The mystery was explained about
week after Ned's arrival.
Mother and had seen him 20 cut.
but 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. | simply waited
under the stairs, the empty pistol in
my hands. l knew that Bill Buffalo
had cowed the Outlaw of the Plains
with tobacco pipe, and would not
scrupie to intimidate Uncle Ned with
an empty weapon.
l could not hear what the men /
were saying, but all at once mother
came hurriedly into the room. Her
woman's instinct, never at fault-as
Dlnab 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 1t before. The men cow
cred before her feminine fury.
i 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-five!"
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.
i do, II / know you"
Why, lilly. what an ideal" pro-
tested the wicked uncle. 81 made |
my pile in Nevada last year. and | |
came home to pay back what | had
borrowed. But l knew a black sheep
never turned white, and well my
lear, had little fun with YOU.
That's all. Here's Jim's twelve thou
land four hundred and nineteen cents.
The nineteen cents 1 borrowed from
him to buy rabbit when we were at
chool together
Then followed a silence that might
'e felt. Then l heard somebody kiss
ng somebody else.
You're still the same. Ned said
ather, in an odd, choked voice.
What pleases me best is that that
title chap will be able to go back to
chool,' said Uncle Ned.
| sheathed my weapon, gritted my
eeth with batfled rage, and sought the
eclusion of my lair. | hate my
Wicked uncle.