The Princeton union., 1921-05-19
The FISHERMAN
ev DOROTHY A. BALDWIN.

time. This is ripper Of thunder
shower, isn't it? Here's your cousin
Ralph, Marcia" he added, turning to
his daughter. do come away from
that window, child. Dick will come
just as soon if you don't watch for
him.
Ralph's face darkened.
"Oh, Dick Winthrop here, is he?
Still think he's worth marrying Mar
cia?"
"Dick came two or three days ago."
said Marcia, ignoring Ralph's thrust.
HE and Uncle Joe went down to
Stevens brook this afternoon. Uncle
Joe's delighted to have someone
to share his enthusiasm over trout
fishing"
Ralph's eyes narrowed
II do wish they'd come. They should
have been here long ago." she added.
what terrible shower this isl"
There came binding flash Of light
ming, followed by a terrific crash of
thunder. Then the front door was
flung open and Marcia rushed into the
hall.
"Thank goodness, you've come,
Dick !" she cried. But where's Uncle
Joe?"
"Heavens! Isn't he here? We got
separated at the brook! Each playing
a trout, you know"
Dick looked up quickly at the SOUND of
the voice.
"Oh, halo, Ralph! Say. it's a
mighty good thing you're here. Get
into some togs quick and come back
with me to hunt"
1nvoluntarily Marcia remembered
Uncle Joe's will, which was to leave
two-thirds of his property to her in
case of her marriage. If he should be
dead, it would mean that she and Dick
could be married without waiting the
few years Dick would need to earn
enough in his profession to support
them.
Marcia instantly dismissed the
thought as unworthy. She loved her
uncle, and she and Dick did not want
to profit by his untimely death.
Ten o'clock struck; then eleven, then
twelve. 1t was of no use to think of
going to bed. Sleep MOULD be impos-
sible. Dawn came. Then, just as the
clock struck five, the three men re-
turned alone.
couldn't you find any trace of him?''
cried Marcia.
"We found decided trace" said
Ralph, quickly, looking hard at Dick.
Look at these!" and he held out to
the startled girl her uncle's handker-
chief. covered with h.blood, and an open
! jack-knife.
"We found these lying together be-
low the bridge. That's Dicks knife. -
Marcia uttered an involuntary ex-
clamation. Then her head went up.
"Well, what of it ?" she said, defiant
ly. "Dick loaned him the knife, and
he accidentally cut himself with it."
"Oh, very likely" said Ralph, with
biting sarcasm. 'Dick knew about your
uncle's will, and he just thought he
saw a good chance to benefit by it,
that's what! Well just turn this young
man over to the sheriff."
Marcia looked imploringly at her
| father, who shook his head sadly and
looked away.
"Dick," she cried. Its not true.
know it,
"Of course it isn't, Marcia. Things
will clear up before long. If we could
only find your uncle!"
"You never will, unless you choose
to find-his body" said Ralph signif-
cantly.
Dicks face famed He balled his
fists and made a quick siep toward
Ralph, when the door flew open and in
walked Uncle Joe!
Don't stare at me as if I were 8
ghost" he cried. did you think I was
! lost for good?"
"Uncle Joe !" gasped Marcia. "Where
have you been?"
"Over at Ezekiel Johnson's, sound
asleep! Sorry to have worried you
| So"
But how?" began Dick. TITS ten
miles ever there!"
"Why, you see, went farther than
1 thought after that trout. When the
shower struck, found myself near the
road. There wasn't shelter in sight
but Johnson happened along just theI
and offered to take me to his house.
tried to telephone you, but the wires
were out of commission. When the
storm kept up, they offered me 8
| loIo Nd hrir n
me home bright and early this morn
ing.
Il should say you people had beer
beating the brush all night, by the
looks. Hold on, Ralph! Don't run of
before I've had chance to thank
your
II think Ralph would like to go i'm
mediately," said Marcia icily. "Tht
strain must be wearing on him!"
| Uncle Joe stared at Marcia in aston
ishment as Ralph slammed the doo1
behind him. Sparing no details, Mar
cia told him the whole story. Uncle
Joe chuckled.
"That's the trouble my cut finger
caused! Thought Dick was after my
money, did he? Well, I'm not goint
to have any suspicious like that arount
again! I'll tear up that will of mine
and give you the property now, while
I'm alive. don't need it to live on
and I'd like the fun of seeing you en-
Joy it.
'Now, no thanks!" he added, hastily
as Marcia and Dick both started t.
speak, "and there's just one condition
that YOU two shall marry each Othe]