The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-08-20

isn't 1t Ed" he inquired. "What's the
matter? Has something gone wrong
at the Office? You look worried"
Edmund flung himself into a chair.
Yes. Dick, it's all of twelve O'clock"
he said with gOod-natured sarcasm.
"Oh, / haven't been with Charlse all
this time. I've been walking, round
myself-and getting worse all the
time. And there's no trouble at the
office. and you know It,"
The office was where "Dick," as the
uncle was affectionately called by his
nephew, conducted a prospecting insur'
ance business, assisted by Edmund,
who had half interest, presented to
him as a gift. Edmund's only relative
was Dick, and Dicks only relative was
Edmund; so they "kept batch" to-
| gether.
Dick smiled broadly and resumed
reading the paper, remarking:
"Better call 1t off, Eddie. A bache.
lor's life is the only life. Look at me
hale and hearty at fifty, with no trou-
We utNeI
any chance to, and don't want to-"
at listens all right" returned Ed
mund modify. "but you've never been
| in love while I've been head over heels
in love with Charlse since the first time
/ saw her."
Dick threw back his head and
laughed aloud. "Bosh! repeat 1t
Love at first sight is joke"
He went at his paper again while
Edmund broOded In silence. OF q sud-
den Dick felt his arm shaken and
found Edmund standing over him, his
eyes bright.
"I've got It, Dick" the younger man
exclaimed. "Tve found a way to get
Charlse all to myself for one evening"
The uncle arched his eyebrows and
drew heavily on his pipe.
"It's just this" Edmund went on en-
Enthusiastically you've got to go up to
Scots with me and keep the mother
busy with some of those travel stories
of yours while 1 entertain Clarise."
Dick laughed, scornfulIy.
"Now you're going too far" he pro
tested. 81 haven't any use for women,
so why try to get me mixed up with a
couple of them? Nothing doing, Ed;
you'll have to find somebody else for
the goat"
But Edmund pleaded persistently,
and did everything but get down on
his knees, and finally his uncle gave-a
grudglng consent to the plan. Accord
LOT ha Al nd
his nephew were cO-callers at the little
house on the hill.
Mrs. Scott became interested In
Dicks tales, so Edmund was able to
get Charlse into another room and
have her to himself most Of the eve
ming; and for that Dick surreptitiously
. showed his nephew his clenched fist.
From that time onward matters
seemed to take change for the bet
ter To Edmund's surprise Charlse
called him on the phone one day and
said:
"Why don't you come up tonight?
Mother is going to the theater with a
friend"
When this happened three times
have talked to Mrs. Scott" was the |
only solution he could find. .The old
boy certainly has my lifelong gratitude
IL he's explained the situation so she |
can see 1t my way"
Edmund came home one night from |
a call at the Scott home and found |
his uncle's easy chair unOccupied, |
which was decidedly unusual. 1t was
about month after the talk with Dick |
previously referred to.
Edmund seated himself and waited.
but 1t was fully an hour before the
door opened and Dicks smiling face |
prOtruded into the room, followed by |
his rather lank body.
He Invested himself of his coat and
hat and settled himself in his chair,
picked up his paper and lighted a
cigar. However, there seemed to be
something on his mind, for he shifted |
uneasily and had difficulty in keeping |
the cigar burning. Suddenly he |
dropped the paper and turned, facing |
Edmund
ED" he said. "you believe in love |
at first sight, don't you?"
Edmund nodded. wondering what |
cynical remark was coming.
"Well so do l." his uncle declared. |
smiling more broadly than customary |
with him, while his eyes cleaned with |
unusual brightness; "and I have lit.
tie proposition to submit to you.
"What do you say to double we'd
ding In the near future? Wouldn't 1t |
no nice to have me for n mana -in-l0w