The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-06-03

isn't It Edy" he inquired. "whars the
matterf Has something gone wrong
, ut the ofhcef You look worried"
Edmund flung himself into q chair.
Eyes, Dick. It's all Of twelve o'clock"
he, said with good-natured sarcasm.
oh, l haven't been with Charlse all
this time. I've been walking, round
and round the block. trying to compose
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 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 of. Eddie. A bache-
lor's life is the only llfe.- Look at me-
hale and hearty at fifty. with no trou-
bles. I've never married and haven't
any chance to. and don't want to-"
"It listens all right" returned Ed
mund moodily. "but you've never been
in, love while I've been head over heels
in love with Clarise since the first time
saw her." E
Dick threw back his head and
laughed aloud. "Bosh I repeat 1t.
Love at first sight is joke"
He went at his paper again while
Edmund brooded in silence. OF sud-
den Dick felt his arm shaken and
found Edmund standing over him. his
eyes bright.
I've got 1t. Dick" the younger man
exclaimed. i've found a way to get
Clarise all to myself for one evening"
The uncle arched his eyebrows and
drew heavily on his pipe.
'rIt's just this" Edmund went on en-
Enthusiastically. you've got to go up to
Scotts' with me and keep the mother
busy with some of those travel stories
Of yours while I entertain Clarise."
Dick laughed, scornfully.
"Now you're going too far" he pro-
tested. "I haven't any use for women,
SO why try to get me mixed up with a
couple Of them? Nothing Aoing. 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
grudging consent to the plan. Accord
ingly, a week later the elder man and
his nephew were ,co-callers at the little
house on the hill.
S-<o nI tn
Dicks tales, so Edmund was able to
get Clarise 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 Edmunds surprise Clarise
called him on the phone one day and
said:
"Why don't you come up tonight?
Mother is going to the theater with
friend"
When this happened three times
Edmund got to thinking. "Dick must
have talked to Mrs. Scott" was the
only solution he could find. "The old
boy certainly has my lifelong gratitude
II 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 divested 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
Mt first sight. don't your"
Edmund nodded. wondering what
cynical remark was coming.
"Well. 80 do l." his uncle declared.
smiling more broadly than customary
with him. while his eyes cleaned with
unusual brightness "and have a lit
tie proposition to submit to you.
"What do you sny TO double we'd
ding in the near future? Wouldn't 1t
be nice to have me for papa-in-law
as well as an uncle?"