The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-05
CHAPTER XIX

Uncle worthy was IN his once,
leaning back in his swivel chair
reading when Susan opened the
door and told him that Mr.. Melton
wanted to see him. He jumped up
eagerly and took small glass from
the top Of his desk.
"Hello, Mr.. Broderick. Here's
some more just like that last stuff
brought YOU" Susan heard Mr..
Melton say 70 him as he went shut
fling down TO the side door In his
house slippers.
"That was very fine stun" Uncle
Worthy answered in his hearty
voice. ut should have been-at the
price. How much Is this?"
"Same price,"
"Well, we can't get along without
It, can we? Even If you fellers do
hold US up" Uncle worthy
chuclkled, more cheerful than be had
been for days.
There was . little pause and
then Mr.. Melton spoke again. "This
il strictly cash this time, You under
stand, Mr.. Broderick."
From her place at the end Of the
hall Susan could zee that he still
held his burly sack in his arms. She
watched her uncle stroke his long
chin thoughtfully for . minute or
two, then put his hand into his back
trousers pocket and bring forth his
leather wallet. He took three twen-
ty dollar bills from it, handed them
to Mr.. Melton and took the sack
into his own arms.
''Come mp into my Office" hs said.
"and we'll try it, eh?"
It was almost seven before Mr..
Melton left and dinner was fifteen
minutes later than usual. Before
Susan brought in the dessert her
uncle rot up from the table and an
nounced that he did not care for
any. He was going 70 bed, he said,
70 try TO sleep OF . headache that
ho had had ever since noon. One
aide Of his face was flushed . deep
rcd, che noticed - he got slowly
out Of his carving-chair, and his
eyelids were almost closed with puff
6ness.
Aunt Edna made Q sudden move
msnt Of her head toward John, and
John got up and followed him into
the hall. He went slowly up the
stairs, tho crystal prisms Of the hall
chandelier tinkled o. he crossed
the door above, and then the door
Of his bedroom closed.
sHe's al right" John said, COM
ine back from the hall. Il was not
tho drst time that ho had stood ct
tho foot Of the stairs, waiting until
bic uncle reached bib bedroom IN
rs IN Of them the whole scene
was like part q . play that they
had soen % many times that they
knsw exactly what was going to
happen before the curtain went up.
Gosh al hemlockl Did you no
tice his FACET" John asked in .
grave, shocked voice-a4 he took his
seat at the table. "Red on one side
ana white @ paper on the other. !
never saw Il like that before
wonder Il be IS Ill right"
Hs pushed back his chair and ran
upstairs. IN two or three minutes he
came hack. Eyes, he's okeh: His
voice WAS full Of relief. I'm bed
already, and sound asleep"
e was eight o'clock when Susan
nut the dishpan on IT. hook behind
the stove and switched Oh the kitch-
"a li9hts. The house Was very quiet,
John had left directly after dinner
20 cover q hockey game Tor his
paper. picking Connie Sayre up on
his way 70 the rink. Behind the
closed door Of the parlor Lutte and
Aunt Edna were reading, and up.
stairs Uncle Worthy slept sound
lessly IN his room.
Susan went into his little Office Il
rather mp the used glasses thai
stood on his desk and turn on hi
roadine light. "A little sheaf Of bill
lay bcside Il, and she stopped K
look &C them. Il Was easy for they
were spread ont like . hand Of
cards-Hartss bill; Q bill from TIL
Harmit Club. her fathers club; tn.
9rocer's bill; the butchers bill; TIL
eas bill; the. electric light bill
Herbst's bill for the milk; . bill
from the coal dealer; The telephone
Bin: . bill from the plumber Wit
made the repairs at The Brodericl
IAN these bills, very little none!
In the house, and still he buy
liquor Of tan dollars quart,
thought Susan, Slancine mp at th'
m brown bottles that stood on tn
shelf 81 : uttls cupboard beside tn