Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1911 — UNCLE THAD’S NURSE [ARTICLE]

UNCLE THAD’S NURSE

By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE

“Uncle Tbad'B pretty bad.” said Be- " He’ll probably poll through with good care; and he’s going to get that now. with a trained nurse In the house,” replied Charlotte. Then the Misses Trimbell looked solemnly at each other across the table, and their heads wagged gravely to unison. “She's pretty young—and not bad looking.” said Selina. "Uncle Thad’s bound to be grateful," replied Charlotte. “Like's not it'll hap- “ You don't mean he’ll marry her?" “Didn’t you mean that yourself? It usually turns out that way in a case like this.” “But whatll become of usf” “I don't know.” The Misses Trimbell looked at each other and shook their heads again. Then Selina straightened her spare tom and raised her sharp chin. "Now see here, Charlotte; this isn't going to happen If I can help it! I'll Admit the possibility pf .the thing! Uncle Thad's a well preserved man, and he's got lots of money. We’re his nearest of kin. barring young Thad—and he's never heard of him sinoe their quarrel. We're Trimbells, anyway, and he was his sister's boy and a Velsor. And you know how he hates that stock. It Isn't likely he'd even speak to him again. If he met him.” “And It Isn't likely he'll ever meet him. He was too wild to come to any good. It's this strange woman I'm afraid of, now. She's got a determined look in her eyes.” “And she dresses too frivolous. 1 was struck when she got out at the door In that light suit and a hat loaded with feathers—and high heeled shoes! And she has put herself right in as if she was boss here and we were the servants, or nobody.*' "Trained nuraea always do that,” remarked Charlotte. "But there's something about her that looks like an—an adventuress!” “Goodness gracious, Charlotte!” “Yes, there's something mysterious, Selina. But we must circumvent her.” “We will,” agreed Selina solemnly. Unde Thad began to improve under the ministrations of his new nurse, {le had a strong constitution and he had always taken good care of himself. Miss Scott was a model member of her profession, light-footed and defthanded. with a gentle voice and a soothing, magnetic personality. But she could not help dimpling when she smiled, and the little chestnut curls would escape from her white cap in the most capridous way. Her plain dress showed the youthful curves of her figure, and her low laugh was delightfully musicaL Every time she looked at the' Misses Trimbell they shuddered. Such a sly significance in her look, and yet it was most fasdnating! If she looked like that at Unde Thad —well, he was only human, poor man! “Miss Scott.” said Selina, one day, “you've no idea how Illness has changed our poor unde He's so meek, so quiet; It doesn't seem possible he's the same man.” “He's a very good patient” Miss Scott's head nodded and the truant curls bobbed merrily. “Oh. but you should see him when he's well Patient Isn't the right word then. He's a perfect tyrant—and his rages would make you quail!” . “Indeedr “Yes.” Miss Selina’s voice sank to a deep whisper. ”1 never would say this, only I want you to understand If he begins to get disagreeable. It's almost impossible to live with him when he's himself. And he's that stingy! We have a hard time of it. Charlotte and L and if he wasn’t our unde —”

“But he Isn’t really your unde.” Selina flushed. “Did he tell you that? But we’re his cousins and we’ve always called him uncle because we're so much younger. He's much older than he looks.” “Why. he told me his age; fiftythree." “Oh. he’s sensitive about that. He always knocks off ten years more. And he’s always been vain of his accumulation of money; likes to have folks think him richer than he is. He - told us what he was worth when we came here, ’cause he made ft all over us; and. barring the house, which is a fine one. but heavily mortgaged, he has very little, very little. We were surprised, weren't we. Charlotte T’ “Yes, uncle's very queer.” replied Charlotte portentously. “Well, of course he never spoke or such things to me,” said-Miss Scott “Why. he’s likely to change his mind about us and pack us off at any moment.” Selina looked panic-strick-en as’ she spoke “There was his h nephew-—his sister’s only child —he brought him up, and promised to make him his heir. Fooled him. too. about his property, and then turned Idas out one day. without a dollar. We donx enow where the poor fellow la now—starving, maybe." “How terrible!” Miss Scott's blue eyes were wide open She looked very thoughtful as she arranged a bowl of broth and some crackers on a little uif, and went upstairs to the invalid. m “I guess jfUwf given her something to think about now.” Selina’s tones “Selina Trim bell!" said Charlotte. “1 didn’t know It was tn your

Miss Scott. was thinking seriously as she watched the Invalid while be finished the light repast. Mr. Thaddeus Trimbell was doing very well; but there was something about his case she had not understood. If she had been asked to express an opinion, she would have said that there was something oh her patient's mind. Yet he had never spoken of any secret sorrow, or given her a clew from which to draw conclusions. Unintentionally, that clew had been furnished now by Miss Selina!

The nurse took the tray away. She looked around the apartment with new interest, but there was no photograph there which mlgl# be "young Thad’s." Adroitly she led the man to talk of his early life Whether anger or shame kept him silent, be bad naught' to say of a nephew turned adrift Prom her new viewpoint however, Retta Bcott was sure that his mind was troubled If she could only discover the cause and help him! “Well, Mr. Trlmbell, you’ll soon be able to do without me." she said blithely, a few days later. The Invalid was sitting up, then, well wrapped and comfprtable in a reclining chair near the window.

“Are you going to leave me to the mercies of these two crotchety old maids down stairs? You're a hardhearted young woman." Miss Bcott laughed childishly. “Oh. if they could only hear you! But isn't there anyone else who could come here and be with you—? Any other relative?” The man’s face darkened as he turned his eyes to the open window. “No one. I wish there were. I like young people around me. I’m a spsy young fellow myself when I’m on my feet Miss Scott, I wish you could stay here. If it could be arranged—” “Oh, you know I must follow my profession. I’m going back to the hospital when I leave here. I left only £0 take this case, because my duties there had tired me out I needed the change. But I must go back.” “Hang it all! I suppose so. Miss Scott I’ve grown very fond of you. You’re the finest young woman I’ve ever met If I were a young man, I'd ask you to marry me." “Oh, Mr. Trimbell!" “I certainly would. But don't look scared —I'm not going to; although I’m only fifty-three, and I could settle a nice little fortune on you. But. if you would stay and—don’t you see, I want some bright young folks around. You could have all the friends you wanted. The house is like a graveyard! It's been so ever since—" “Since your nephew went away?" queried Retta softly. » Mr. Trimbell turned on her with a roar. “How did you know? Have I been talking in my sleep? I swore I'd never mention the young rascal's name again. How did you know anything about my nephew,, Thaddeus Velsor?" ‘ “Velsor! • Thaddeus —Velsor!" The other did not hear the whispered exclamation. He was fairly launched now into a recital of his troubles, and all his resentment, grief and chagrin were poured forth in swift eloquence, wl|h a forcible expletive now and thefc. which would seem to Justify the description of “raging tyrant” which Miss Selina had artfully drawn Meanwhile Betts's wits were rallying quickly; and as soon as she had a chance to speak, she made her point “Mr. Trimbell. you must not agitate yourself so. I know how you feel; but you are not quite right—your Nephew is a better man than you think, and a repentant one! I know. Young Mr. Velsor was my last patient in the hospital. I did not know he was your nephew; but I recall now, one night when he was very low, I asked nim if there was anything he wanted. *¥oß, I want my uncle’s forgiveness,* he said. Of course, 1 knew that there was a story back of that, but he never told me any more. And Thaddeus Velsor is your nephew!" The patient looked at the nurse sharply. “Nurse,” said he, “what are you blushing for? Oh. then you—your last patient—” “No, no, 1 have not even seen him. But I know where he ia I —1—promised to write to him, some day—and. when I had time, to —to—Oh. Mr. Trimbell!” Blushes were deep; dimples and curls were dancing. Dark blue eyes looked with shy mischief from between long, curling lashes. “Write now!" roared .the patient "And tell that young rascal to com* and see Uncle Thad and his nurse.” “Well, young Thad’s come back,” said Selina solemnly, twenty-four hours later. “And she knew him before. What do you make out of that. Charlotte?" “A wedding.” replied Charlotte, laconically. “I wonder how tt happened?” mused Selina. “I believe she schemed it out somehow—she's that artful." I r , l r ______