The Meeker herald., 1923-01-27
Betty and Uncle
N John ~
Observation-Disclosures

BY CLARA DELAFIELD
70. l022. westera Newspsper Upioa.J

won't have 1t, say! When I'm ready
to let Harold get married Ill let him
know. Now. it's no use talking to
me! Don't let me hear another word
upon the subjecti"
Uncle John was In one of his RACES,
and his sister. Letitia, who had In.
terceded on behalf of Harold. her son,
withdrew timidly from the scene. For,
apart from her own quaIms and terror
of her brother when he was In one Of
his RACES. the doctor had privately
allowed to rage unchecked apoplexy
might supervene.
Uncle John was an elderly member
Of Q numerous family, and the only
unmarried one. Having succeeded In
life. he was called upon to bear q
good many financial burdens on behalf
Of the weaker vessels, which, to bis
credit It must be said, he did quite
cheerfully. And Letitia's son, Harold,
was his favorite nephew.
He had sent Harold. quiet, unas-
sumlng fellow, through college. He
was really very fond Of him. But
Uncle John was an autocrat, and
when he took an Idea into his head
nothing could get 1t out again.
And his RACES were terrible. ele-
mental, volcanic. soul-witherlng. No
one on earth dared stand up against
Uncle John when he let himself go
which was not infrequently.
His autOcratic ways had been grow.
ing on him Of late. Lefty. the next
eldest, could remember the time when
Uncle John had been n quiet, rather
timid boy, bossed by herself and the
rest. How strangely he had devel-
opedi
Harold whnted to marry Betty
Prlngle. very nice girl who was en-
ployed in the same office with him.
There was nothing whatever against
the match, except that Uncle John
had put his foot down and sworn he
would not permit 1t.
Its $3.50 hnrd, my dear" said
Lefty to her sister Barbara. Hes
just taken this notion Into his head,
and Of course-well. you know John.
And II Harold and Betty marry. he'll
cut him OF without n penny. Besides,
Harold can't do that Immediately. at
any rate without letting Uncle John
zee he's determined. After all, he does
owe John a good deal"
Betty was for defying the old ty-
rnnt. II don't see why you should
care. darling" she said to Harold. ut
Isn't reasonable"
That's what told him." answered
Harold. '"And 1t came to the point
where had either to fight him or get
out. So I-gOt."
"I'm going to see him." Betty an
nour -ed; and she stuck to her guns.
despite the appeals of the relations
that 1t would only precipitate trouble.
The only chance. they said. was to
walt until Uncle John came round.
Once in a great while he did come
round-if he weren't pressed too hard.
Betty. who had not the traditional
terror of Uncle John, took her own
line Of action. There was no difficulty
In obtaining admission to Uncle Johns
house. and the moment she entered
his library Betty could see that he
was spelling for fight.
$50 you're the whelp Of child that
wants to marry my nephew!" Uncle
John sneered. After my money. I
suppose" He thumped his great fist
on the desk. Listen to me! Tho
day my nephew marries you cut him
of-for ever. Get me?'
'rNow. you listen to me-" Betty be-
gan.
But Uncle John was already pur-
pie. II won't lIsten." he raved. "Get
out of here! You scheming, worth
less. impudent hussy, you"
"Oh, you wretched, mean, vicious
old mani" cried Betty. The tears
rushed to her eyes. she caught up
paper-weight upon the table. and
hurled 1t at Uncle Johns head. break
ing the lamp globe. four feet away.
Uncle John sat down, and the next
moment Betty was standing over him,
breathing defiance and maledictions,
till Uncle John sputtered:
"Stopl Stop! Lemme speak,"
'I don't want to hear word from
you. you"
"It's all right. God bless you both
and"
Betty stopped, mute with astonish.
ment. And now Uncle John was on
his feet and wringing her hands
warmly, and beaming positively
beamIng.
you've got spirit, girl, more than
that miserable Harold. Listen to me.
I'm going to post you. 1t was all
fake-understand? I'm the mildest
man that ever jumped when the
mouse-trap clicked"
"Really7" asked Betty incredu-
lously.
Eldest child Of large family-put
upon in youth-tyrannicnl old father
contemptuous sisters-had to assert
myself-sO kind they'd have eaten me
out Of hearth and home. I'm giving