The Lamar register., 1918-03-20

Uncle Hubert Vance slipped into
harmony with the domestic economy
of the family readily and comfortably.
He had been for ten years u CONNER
cial agent in Belgium. had acquired
quite some property, had shared in the
frightful descent of the enemy upon
that country, and had narrowly es-
capped with his life. The lads of the
neighborhood learned all this, and
many a breathless Juvenile audience
he entertained with stories of the con-
fiict that had robbed him of his wealth.
One thrilling incident In his adven-
turous career he loved to dwell over.
1t was where n shell came through u
window in room where he was sit
ting. Just in time he sprang at the
messenger of death rolling across the
floor, seized Its spluttering fuse and
shipped of and extinguIshed Its burn
ing end.
"rve kept that shell as a memento,"
the old man would continue loqua-
ciously. And then he would take them
to the old shed and show them, high
up on a special shelf. the round black
object, the sight of which aroused
their fertile fancies, later dwelling
upon the frightful havoc an accidental
explosion would create in the peaceful
subdivision tract.
The old man was falling fast. Bruce
and Lettie noticed It, and he himself
was aware of the fact.
"I'm not going to stay long with
you, children" he told them one eve
ming. "and / hope when I'm gone there
will be something left to repay you for
all your great kindness to me. You
see, there's big indemnity covering
my destroyed property In Belgium, II
1t is ever paid. I'm going to have Il
talk with you all about 1t In a day or
two." but the next day the old man
was found seated In his favorite porch
chair. dead. but with peaceful smile
on his old. furrowed face.
Never n word did Bruce utter as to
the expense the old man had been to
him, and Lettie loved him all the more
dearly for 1t. Their little one had
come along the first month of Mr..
yance's stay with them. They had
named the child after him. and raptur-
ously he had limited at the provisions
he should make for his namesake,
when he got his business affairs In
shape"
One morning. few weeks later Let
tie was at neighbor's with the baby.
She had placed the little one asleep
on a cushion, when her hostess came
hurrying into the room where she WINS.
"Oh. Mrs Manton I" she cried, excit-
edly. ''the high grass of your lot is all
on fire. Some of those mischievous
boys, I fear-and your shed is ablazer
Lettie ran out to the door to share
the agitation of her informant. She
could see. half a mile away. the flames
sweeping about the shed and darting
over 1t toward the house.
Mind the babyr" she cried sharply.
and started across the prairie in the
OF home. Half the distance
accomplished. Lettie halted with n
vivid shock. OF sudden. n frightful
rent the air. She saw the
shed scattered In fragments in every
and some OF the burning de-
bris hurled to the roof OF the house.
THE bombr" she fiuttered. "The
bomb that Uncle Hubert stored in the
shedi Oh, the house is doomed, toow
An hour later no trace OF the cher
ished little home was visible. Lettie
wept bitterly and Bruce looked grave
md worried. as they stood regarding
the ruin about them.
Don't despair" Bruce tried to tell
her cheeringly. ''You know through
heart-wreck and home-wreck, the hnp-
py spnrrows build"
"Oh. Mr.. Mantonl here's a funny
little iron box Ned Devon Just poked
out of the ashes OF the old she'd" an
nopnced Letties small brother, who
was one Of the crowd of curious young
sters attracted to the scene.
III. w." traced Bruce, inspecting
the box. "Why. those are your uncle's
initials, Lettie. He must have hidden
1t In the shed. It's strong and solid
and can't be opened without the key"
'T wonder what Is in it7" murmured
Lettie.
They took 1t to the house of neigh
Dor where they were to pass the night.
and Bruce made an attack on the box
with chisel and hammer. At length he
succeeded in battering OF the cover.
A card showed first. "For my niece
and her baby" 1t read.
Bonds. bank notes. some diamonds
and bag Of gold pieces. an old watch.