The Detroit times., 1916-07-11


nephew's hands. But ! wouldnt
marry him II he were the last man
In the world. He's too mean. One
Of Desmond Aliens fingers Is worth
a doren such men as Eben."
"Eoen works haro all day long
an saves every cent. while that CAD
about Allen wastes his substance In
new.fansled mowers an reapers an
engines an the Lord knows what
He'll be . bsgsar like you In ive
years"
"Oh. uncle. uncle" reproved Ann
Elisa. you're just raving. and you
know II. Desmond Is making bigger
crops than you and Eben together,
and Is doing II with the new-fang
led improvements you hate. He has
plenty OF time for social entoymen's'
too. and his house is being filled
with all sorts OF home comforts. But
I can't keep him waiting longer.
She pinned on her hat. looked into
a glass. gave a few pats TO her haid
and started toward the door.
III you go with that scoundrel.
shrieked her uncle. don't you ever
dare"
The door opened almost In Ann
Elias face and Desmond looked IN.
"Oh. I say. Uncle Ezbon." he caIled
cheerily. II almost forgot Have you
any money in that big notion depart
store at BoIrah?"
None o. your business" snapped
Uncle Exbon.
"All right, | just felt IL duty TO
mention Il. heard somewhere that
you'd put in lot. Seems the place
Is only crooks blind. offered big
interest on hired money because. the
circulars said. enormous profits were
being made on goods. Quite a num-
Der Of supplemented people bit, /
understand. I'm glad you're not In
H."
But evidently Uncle Ezbon was In
Il. for his face had grown white and
he tottered toward the door. 4
mortgaged my place" he walled
He offered me Is per cent. I'm
ruined. Amt there no chance"
why, yes. | think SO. II you hur-
ry. The man makes an assignment
tomorrow morning. and after that
will. OF course. slip away and never
be heard Of again. But he don't
want any suspicion OF II to get out
till the last moment. so the store
will be kept open until 9 o'clock to-
night as usual A friend OF mine,
lawyer. happened TO get wind OF the
intended fraud by accident. and ask
ed IL I had anything in the concern.
I told him my surplus money paid
better interest in improved farm ap-
pliances. The only thing for you.
Uncle Exbon. Is to put an attachment
on the goods before the store closes
al g.
The old man shot a frightened
glance at the clock. then dropped
upon chair. Half past g. he
moaned, AN It's twenty-five miles.
I'll couldn't do II, not with my best
horses I'm ruined"
Nonsense. man." encouraged Des-
mond. Get into my automobile quick
and I'll have you down there in an
hour and a quarter-or, no. say
an hour and half, for we must stop
at Peters mill about ffteen minutes
going down. and then we'll all stop
AZ the entertainment coming saeh'
You'll enjoy the entertainment, In
Gle Ezbon.'
An hour and ten minutes brought
them TO Peters mill. They stopped
in front OF a house whose windows
were well lighted.
"All ready for us" said Desmond.
with an odd little thrill in his voice.
II told just few friends. SO II
wouldn't seem quite $3.50 runaway,
you know. Come, Uncle Ezbon.
III stay In the buzz wagon
aut'mobile. I mean. I'm In an aw-
full hurry to 90 on. Please don't
stay long"
Plenty OF time. can get there in
twenty minutes. But you must go
in with us. There's something we
want you TO do that1l make Ann
Eliza feel a lot better. And mind"
with q little ring in his voice that
sent a SILVER down the old man +
spine. III you don't be nice 20 VS. you
needn't expect me 10 be nice in
getting you to Bozrah.'
It'll DC anything-1ust any
thing" whined Uncle Ezbon.
They were inside Just Twelve min
utes. When they came Qua and en-
tered the car. Desmond tenderly
tucked the robe about Ann Eliza,
then turned and caught Uncle En-
bon's hand in a hearty grip.
you acted like a trump. Uncle
Ezbon. and I won't forget it, he
said heartily. my wife never liked
the idea Of anything that savored OF
q runaway marriage. Your giving
her away saved 1t from any suspi.
cion OF that--made II almost seem
like a home wedding. in fact. Now
we'll rush on and fix that money
business Of your up all right. And.
yes, rye been doing very well the
past year-exceedingly well. so I'm
going TO give you that strip you
cross to water your cattle. and III
put MP all the line fences at my own