Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-02-06
Aunt Pruc and
Uncle ST
(copyright.l
By JANE OSBORN


is supposed to Dc" said Prudence Dem
ing, ''but IL II isn't any worse than
being maid Of honor, I think I can
do It." .
"Only, In this case, think you have
to hold the baby-and he's pretty sure
to scream. They always do. But we
went be happy with anyone else. Tom
has asked his Uncle 81 to be the god
father, and he's coming out for the
event. You are both to come the night
before. to diMner. and stay for the
night. Then we'll have the christen-
Ing at the church In the morning.
when there aren't lot Of people look
ing on. You've never met Uncle 81,
have your He was In China when
we were married"
Meantime TEN LoOmis, father Of
the most important baby In the world.
had made his way past telephone op-
orators and private secretaries to the
inner sanctum OF Silas Granger, O
young and genial-looking man Of
thirty-twO or so. sitting at very ina
portant-looking desk In q large Office.
I'VE want you out for dinner Friday
night" said Tom. 1.-The baby's going
to be christened Saturday and you're
to be the best man-no, the godfather,
mean. You must manage It some
how're one else win do; and, 81,
Peggy is asking her Aunt Prue to
come out and be godmother. You've
heard Of her."
"Hum-hum," said 81, and had visions
Of q much-wrinkled little old woman
like Peggy's mother.
Two days later when Silas Granger
was sitting deep in thoughts Of bust
ness his telephone said In his ear.
"Thls is Prue Deming. You've heard
Peggy and Tom speak Of me, perhaps"
eyes. indeed" said Silas with his
most respectful tone-the tone he used
when he gave his seat to a very Old
lady. II believe I shall have the
pleasure Of meeting you at the Loom
ises' very shortly"
"That's just what wanted to talk
about" came the voice at the other
end Of the telephone. Frankly, I
wanted to know what I ought to do.
You know Tom hasn't anything but
what he makes, and Peggy hasn't
penny Of her own and never will have.
So | was thinking that instead Of
spending lot Of money on a perfectly
useless caudle cup I'd just give some
money. I've decided on five hundred
dollars. and if You want to put as much
to Il that will be a thousand. We
might get some sort Of bonds-if you
say So"
Prue said she supposed she wasn't
so busy o. he. 90 she volunteered to
bring her check to his once, 90 that
he might buy the bonds, and that aft
ernoon she was announced by his pri-
vate secretary.
Fer q moment, while he waited for
her. Sllas thought that she was
rather troublesome old lady, to come
to his Office at such q busy time, but
when an ONCE boy showed In the real
Prue Demlng he forgot even that he
was In the least busy. She was really
beautlful-but, more than that, she
was very young.
"But thought 1t was Aunt Prue,"
he said.
"And thought it was Uncle ST."
she said. and at the same time each
said, II am" Then Prue explained
that she was the youngest child Of
Peggy's grandfather, by second wife
and wasn't really as old as Peggy:
and Uncle 81 explained that he was
the youngest SON Of Tom Loomis'
grandfather. also by a second mar
riage. They called him Uncle 81 as
sort Of joke. In fact to all their
mutual friends he was known az
uncle" He had always heard them
speak Of Aunt Prue but never dreamed
that she bore her title much the same
as he did his.
"You must have thought I was very
lmpertinent," said Prudence, coming
down to your office. But I thought, OF
course. you were nice old man. I'll
just leave my check, and run away"
Silas had sprung to his feet when
Prudence rose from her chair In his
office and hurried round the room to
bar the way.
II don't want you to run away 90
sOOn." be said looking down upon her
short, straight little nose, and the long
lashes that shaded eyes that seemed
the color Of violets. Lets 60 out to
tea s0mewhere-and maybe dance aft
erward."
The day before the dinner at the
LOOmises', Peggy telephoned to Prue.
Il forgot to tell You that IL you want
ed to bring q swain out with you to
dinner you might. You're always en-.
gagged to someone or ether and IL
there's anyone now. bring him aleng."
that's sweet" said Prudence, "be.
cause really am engaged. Really
and truly this time. and I am going
to come out in his car and I'd love
to have him for dinner"
So 1t was that Peggy had to call up
Sally Crane. a pretty young nelghbor.
and ask her to come to dinner. "Aunt