The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-02-15

at 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
were set completely atsrest, however,
when they were ushered into the par
lOr Of the Lee palatial home.
The best room In the house was
awarded them. regal meal, smiles,
even jollity from Uncle Hiram. Then,
seated In theecapaclOus drawing room,
he opened the ball.
swell, nephew" he observed bright
~, "let's get to business. offered to
buy your CROP"
Eyes. sir" promptly answered
Wayne, ''and have brought it with
me-"
"You've what?" demanded Mr.. Lee
in startled tone.
1--WE brought the crop along with
me. It's in that big carpet bag in
the hall. I'll 60 and fetch it."
Uncle Hiram's eyes dilated us Wayne
was gone for moment, returned, and
opened the carpetbag. From it he pro-
duced, q shrunken, cracked, diminu-
tive squash.
"What's that?" snapped Mr.. Lee.
"The crop. All there is to it, alb
solutely. I'd better explain, I 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 to live?"
asked Uncle Hiram In q self-condem-
natory way.
swell, I worked evenings shaving
the miners down at their camp" ex-
planned Wayne.
MY nephew barber!" growled the
shocked Mr.. Lee.
sand I washed their Clothes" added
Vera, and she showed her pretty
brown hands with pride.
"A relative of mine q washerwOm-
AMI" 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, us 1t has
turned out, that wasn't a bad start. Just
after you became engaged to Wayne l
heard a conversation you held with q
girl friend, who repeated it. 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.
swat till the last installment, young
man, and see how it all worked out.
When you two eloped, saw that if
you didn't start out right you'd run
into a switch. Now, then, you showed
sense, you made good. I'm proud of
, ny beautiful and dutiful niece-in-law,
and-I say, my dear, it was u bunga-
low you planned out so gayly, wasn't
.t?"
"Oh, Uncle Hiram, that was just
foolish girls fond dream!''
"VisiOns come true," pronounced
Mr.. Lee oracularly. "There was
white pergola, and screened porch,
and-oh, you Opulent dreamer AN au-
tomobile."
"You'll make her cry If you keep
Dn," warned Wayne.
"She'll laugh afterwards" predicted
Uncle Hiram gayly. every we'll, look
at that"
He extended photograph. It was
that of an exquisite little home,
bungalow. And there was u pergola,
md an automobile stood in the gar
len roadway.
"We'll go and see it tomorrow" an
bounced Uncle Hiram. II had my law
yer purchase it last week. Yours" he
added to Vera.
"A1ine!" she uttered breathlessly.
sand you can have your washing
lone, and my nephew may discontinue
his barbarous proclivities, and"
But Vera's arms were about his
leck, and her kisses silenced the fur
her explanation of the good old fell
Ow, who had given them their hearts
lesire.