The herald., 1917-02-22

home. did yOu?" inquired Mr.. Lee, and
his face showed actual expectancy and
pleasure.
Yes, they will be here next Mon.
day"
Good" nodded Mr.. Lee with unc-
ton. And you have attended TO
other details l directed?"
Entirely" replied the lawyer.
Better still." quite chirped Mr.. Lee,
and he smiled all over his face. MY
system has worked, 1t seems" he
chuckled. I'm proud Of its success,
for il has made a man of Wayne and
loyal, sensible little woman of Vera"
When Wayne and Vera arrived at
his home town an automobile met them
al the depot. Wayne was dubious,
Vera anxious over the probable greet
ing of Uncle Hiram. for his impulses
and mysterious ways were likely TO
take any whimsical turn. Their minds
We're set completely at rest, however,
when they were ushered into the par
IOr of the Lee palatial home.
The best room in the house was
awarded them. a regal meal, smiles.
even jollity from Uncle Hiram. Then,
seated in the capaciOus drawing rSOm,
he opened the ball.
We'll, nephew he observed bright
ly, let's get 10 business. l Offerd 10
buy your crop"
Yes, sir" promptly answered
Wayne, land l have brought it with
me-
You've what?" demanded Mr.. Lee
in a startled tone.
1--WE brought the crop along with
me. It's in that big carpet bag in
the hall. I'll go and fetch il"
Uncle Hirdm's eyes dilated as Wayne
was gone for moment, returned, and
opened the carpetbag. From ii he pro-
duced. q shrunken, cracked, diminu-
tive squash.
whats that?" snapped Mr.. Lee.
THE crop. All there is TO il, alb
solutely. I'd better explain, l guess, -
smiled Wayne. You see, we planted
lots of stuff. With the exception of
some quick growing vegetables, the sun
and the alkali burned up everything.
| When the season was over, all that
was spared was this, our crop"
But how did you manage 10 liveT'
asked Uncle Hiram in a self-condem-
natory way.
well. / worked evenings shaving
the miners down at their camp" ex'
planned Wayne.
MY nephew a barber growled the
shocked Mr.. Lee.
And l washed their clothes" added
Vera, and she showed her pretty
brown hands with pride.
"A relative of mine washerwom'
AM" groaned Uncle Hiram. You
dear" and he kissed the pretty brown
hands in question in turn. I'm going
TO confess," he added. Young lady,
have misjudged you, but, as it has
turned out, that wasn't bad start. Just
after you became engaged TO Wayne
heard q conversation you held with q
girl friend, who repeated il. The lay
out you had for your high social life
after marriage was dazzling. 1t con
vinced me that you were a thought
less, extravagant-"
Here. Here ~ challenged Wayne
uproariously.
wait till the last installment, young
man, and see how it all worked OUT
When you two eloped, / saw that il
you didn't start out right you'd rur
into q switch. Now, then, you showed
sense, you made good. I'm proud OF
my beautiful and dutiful niece-in-law
and-I say, my dear, 1t was q bunga
low you planned out so gayly, wasn'
itT
"Oh, Uncle Hiram, that was just {
foolish girls fond dream"
"Visions come true" pronounced
Mr.. Lee oracularly. There was {
white pergOla, and a screened porch
and-oh, you opulent dreamer an au
tomobile."
You'll make her cry if you keel
on" warned Wayne.
She'll laugh afterwards" predicted
Uncle Hiram gayly. Every well, loOi
at that"
He extended a photograph. 1t wa
that of an exquisite little home, {
bungalow. And there was a pergola
and an automobile stood in the gar
den roadway.
We'll go and see II tomorrow" an
nounced Uncle Hiram. II had my law
yer purchase II last week. Yours" b,
added to Vera.
"Aiinel" she uttered breathlessly.
"And you can have your washing
done, and my nephew may discontinue
his barbarous proclivities, and"
But Vera's arms were about hi
neck. and her kisses silenced the fur
Their explanation of the good old fel
low, who had given them their heart
desire.
~ Invisible Ink.