The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-07
Erenir,gStow
Uncle Jim'sNO Opposition.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBoLD.

$50 this is little Madge! Uncle Jim
planted a hearty kiss on the pink
cheek of his niece. Grown into a reg
ular young lady. tool III wager she
has lots of attention." Madge's uncle
exchanged knowing glance with his
sister, Madge's mother, at whose in
vitation he had consented to leave his
farm house for a visit at her summer
home.
Just at present she's receiving a
whole lot of attention from one man
in particular, I assure you." declared
Mrs. Evans, vo1uble little woman,
whose thoughts tripped from her
tongue the moment of their birth.
Madge blushed Pecomingly. but a
shadow sof annoyance clouded the
hazel depths OF her. eyes. and the
keen glance of Uncle Jim took note
of the fact. Was it possible that his
sister, whom he had always credited
with more heart than brains, was set
upon some match for his niece which
was repugnant to the girl herself
That would never do.
That evening, at the supper table,
Uncle Jim found himself being intro
duced to one Bob Stratton, with whom
he doubtless felt himself somewhat
acquainted. For previous to his arri-
val, Madge's mother had found time,
in the presence of Madge, to comm ent
gushingly on that youths attractions,
his looks, his money. his position, his
family. Not one of his qualifications
had escaped her extravagant phrases.
AS Uncle Jim shook the young
mans hand he was thinking to him
self. $50 this is the paragon our little
Madge must marry! Well, If clothes
make the man, this young Teller is
there with bells on!"
But it was later. just after young
STATIONS departure, that Uncle Jim
uttered the remark which caused his
sister to be haughtily displeased. and
brought a queer look into Madge's soft
eyes.
How did he strike you?" Mrs.
Evans had wanted to know at once.
Uncle Jim had delayed his reply a
moment, thoughtfully waiting smoke
eye on his niece. he had calmly Of
fered: 'tAin't kind of stuck on him
self, is hep Madge looked up quickly.
Jim" Mrs. Evans's voice was one
of shocked disappointment.
.Oh. mebbe I'm wrong. Mebbe m
wrong!" her brother returned hastily.
And by mutual consent the converse
ton was steered into safer channels.
AS the days passed it seemed to I'm
Gle Jim that Madge and her mother
were playing a game of battledore IN
which Bob Stratton was the shuttle
cock As often as her mother threw
Bob at her daughter. her daughter
found way of tossing him back. II
sailing party was arranged, Madge
devoted herself to Uncle JIM If Bob
was casually asked to drop in for tea.
Madge developed a headache and
neglected to appear at all.
Incidentally, Mrs. Evans was regret
ting her invitation to her brother to
visit her, for instead of forwarding
her plans, he seemed never to lose
an opportunity of commenting unfa-
vorably on young Stratton. His most
recent and cauStic remark grated on
his sister to such an extent as to cause
her abruptly to leave the room. while
even Madge herself. who doubtless
possessed a sense of justice. was reused
to Bob's defense.
These .white-flanneled chaps
bah! What they lack is elbow grease.
I'd like to see one of them tackle a
real job successfully"
But Uncle Jim,'' had remonstrat-
ed Madge, cit really isn't fair to judge
until the emergency arises.'
The emergency arose sooner than
either Madge or her uncle expected.
Madge had managed to entfce Uncle
Jim, who was a confessed coward on
the water, out for a ride in the Sea
Gull. The Sound waters We're spark
ling and comparatively calm at first.
but as Madge rounded the breakwater
to turning back. she no
ticed a leaden cloud ascending the sky
and an intimation of approaching
wind
At that moment the engine, for.the
first time in an honorable career, hic-
sputtered and stopped and
then refused to be coaXed into run
ming. For an instant, Madge gazed in
Then, as the boat
bounced aimleSSly on the Swells, she
attempted various stunts with the coil
and spark plugs and carburetor, all to
no avail. An anxious glance con-
firmed her fears that the launch was
drifting Enthusiastically seaward. IN
Gle Jim had no suggestions to offer.
Marine engines were not in his line.
Suddenly around the breakwater
shot a long slim speed boat and Uncle
Jim, who could recognize a neighbours
horse by the cut of his name. but to
whom all boats looked alike, wondered
why a slow blush mounted to Madge's
cheek as she stood up and waved her |
sweater.
An hour later they were safe in port |
Bob Stratton had climbed aboard. |
oiled up his silk shirt sleeves. kneeIed |
IN the engine bed on white flanneled |
Knees, poked a finger here and there |
diagnosed the trouble as 1eaky gasket, |
partly demolished the engine and put |
{ together again, and finally started /
hem home under their own power.
That evening Uncle James. who felt |
hat he was out of grace all around,
wandered disconsolately down toward |;
he summer house. Subdued voices
him just in time, but before
lie could make good his retreat, he
aught snatches of a conversation OBJ
iously not meant for his ears.
Bob, darling, I wouldn't admit !
owed you as long as mother kept
hrowing me at your head. But when
Jncle Jim who is an old dear, but of
curse doesn't understand men, said
mean things about you, 1 simply
ouldn't stand it, But I imagine he's
ured after this afternoon"
'Darlingi" Bobs voice was beauti-
ully tender What is Uncle Jim to
is, when we have each other?"
Time for me to clear OUT" said
Jncle Jim to himself. I'm popular,
am, I'll have to have a, little talk
With my nephewto-be." But first he
lad things out with his sister. who