Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1920 — BLUFFING UNCLE JAMES [ARTICLE]

BLUFFING UNCLE JAMES

By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD

<©, IVW. by MeClw«*Metop»P«r Syndicate.) Phillip Merrill threw down the let, ♦er in disgust. “What He refrained fn>m completing hfo sentences m to his secretary; Miss Cowley who* Sat patching astoirishmeaitewMibA “My uncle absolutely refuses to lend us that money whlch ; #6uld put us on our feet, unless —well, read for yourself his Idiotic foolishness!” He thrust the letter under her. nose, and, hands in his pockets, began a necessarily limited walk up-and down his small office like the pacing of an angry lion in his Cage. - Marjory Cowles read through the letter twice with businesslike precision: v • • ■•< - • “I was Interested in your statement of the assets and dlabtllttos of your business of the moment,. But, I do not forget that you have been enthusiastic bver various other enterprises. When you give 1 any evidence of settling down, by getting married, for instance, 1 shall be more convinced of your se- ' rtousness, and be glad to help you. By the way, if you are married, let me know. It might alter the 'case. Your, affectionate uncle, James.B. ■ “I’m sorry, Mr. Merrill,’’ she' said, then added, with a,sigh: “If only he. could have seen-his way to making the loan, it would have meant such a lot!” ,-fes. “A lot!” echoed Phillip. "Why, it would mean all the difference between pulllrfg through and, going under!" Marjory Cowles associated with the Goodfft company since its incipiepcy, ariahad .been?through so many of Its ups and she had acquired somedf so% privileges of a partner without Its responsibilities. Now she pondered; the situation with half-closed ley.es,'her.pencil tapping her firm red lips. “There—there .ifo’t anyone you would to marry on short She hoped her employer didn’t the beatifig of her treacherous heart: as she waited for the answer she had been longing to know . since her discovery that Phillip had the most attractive, blue eyed of anymnUfShe',

had ever seen. / “Indeed there Isn’t!” ; declared Phillip so.emphatically that her heart beat f ever. Marjory 'was about to remark that his uncle Was evidently eccentric, when. Phillip gave a positive shout. “I have It! And he deserves It for being ho. peculiar Please take this letter.” he "was dictating be. rw* M w te-J-»«. IM. You want to I know if I a® married. Well, a® Ifo I v&h you could see my wife (that’s true enough. Miss (Rowles.- I wish he could, and tell me what she’s like.) If you will reconsider'the making of that! loan, I assure you that you will never regret it Yours, Phillip.. - «p; s.—ls the wife knew I was writ* Ing this I feel sure she Would send her love.” s “I am going out for lunch now. Get that letter off as soon ;as possible, please.’’ And Phillip took down, his \ coat and hat and went out. ‘ heft alone, Marjorie sat fop a mornenMdly wondering how the affair would turn odt, and absent-mindedly testing one of her pencils with scribbling on a sheet of typewriter paper , lying on the desk. Then ‘she rose, straightened things opt and took from her drawer the few sandwiches and an apple- which made up -her midday meal, aftef which she. got down to the busiatess of getting -off. that letter in time'for the mall. Three/ weeks later Philip sat at his desk figuring the-extent of fits sinashup about to occur, and wondering why< the'telephone bell. < - “tou take it. Miss Cowles,” he said morosely. yforjory took down the receiver, then almost dropped it “His Uncle Janies? I’ll—l’ll tell him.” But there was no need. Phillip had; risen and stood as one petrified. His Uncle James come all these miler th investigate the business!'* That meant Sirely that he would loan the. Joyfully he took the receiver rjory’s hand, not : ohsendng ge thoughtfulness of her ex- . James! I am pleased!!— ng/ you here for?-Fine! Une!—My. wife! My wife! es. yea yes, very very it you up right Yes,» e-W iwe’d «k you to.’ Stay but we’ve only two rooms. zo rooms, but there’s anexttle family hotel near. We 11, there—Ail right fee, come right up." Phillip turned from the telephone JK so woe-begone an expression that Marjorie’s heart melted within - *4fy uncle is coming* up, will be here any moment, and how the deuce Philip paused with the despair of one whfoe game is up., Then. “I say, Miss hut would you consider oeing couldn’t resist “This is—-

“Oh. * didn't mpfa tejn ph. J® md see what ’ a first-rate proposition it if, he’ll forget this wife business ind loan the wherewithal.” ... Marjory debated within. herself. Playing the part of a make-believe wife td the man you’re in love with might have its tragle moments. But becauseshe was In love with him "All right,” She said at last “for the alike of the business I will.” ' “You’re a brick. Mlss Cowles! he grasped her hands gratefully. Then, as the color mounted slowly >ln his cheeks. “He’ll think Pm a darnedlucky dbg Phe added. It was the first personal note that 'had ever crept into the conversation. Half an hour later Udcle James arrived—a tan individual with keen, snapping eyes. He greeted his nephew affectionately, then turned to the girl as Phillip said, a little awkwardly: “My—er—wife. She Is putting het shoulder 'to -’the- yghmd,— too, for a . while.” ‘ The difficult moment .was past and Uncle James was latinched to descriptions of his trip east. As he rose to go after steadily refusing-tojtalk business, Uncle. James uttered the fatal words that lengthened indefinitely the conspirators’ plan of an hour. “I’m glad yob - did so well, Phillip, because iM 'rather made up my mind, if your wife was one of those extravagant creatures wearing her husband’s earnings on her back, I’d have nothing to do. with your business, no matter how promising. .But before we discuss that I Intend to see the whole, of New York, and the two of. you. must be my guests.” ... As he went out, -thq tyro, yqvng,, people looked at each other. Then “Stick by me a while longer,” begged-Phillip miserably! and Marjory consented. Followed busy evenings at theaters, automobile rides up the Hudson, dinners.' When they were riding Uncle James ustfally insisted' bn occupying the front seat w ; lth the chauffeur. “Even old married people like to Sit by themselves and talk,” he said indulgently.” c , . <. , And Marjbry, s|ttirig snugly wrapped up at Phillip’s side, watching the river. <felt sometimes that she had. stepped' rinto V dreamy While' Pfiilllp4=W»Hu > Phillip grew to long for th< right, to I reach ou t aqd grasp the slim‘hand ’resting bbnbatM the robes a Inches’ [away. ... . n . — For-Marjory In of com- • panibfiMiip; had® showrt 'hetself to be a wonderful comrade, eminently desirable. In wondering how he could afford marriage; if the business failed, he sometimes, forgot his feeling of gull? at "the deception he was practicing on his uncle and his anxiety as to the outcome, . . ; Then one day, Uncle James wandered into the office when Phillip was out/ ’Finding Marjory alone, he hesitated, then sat down in-his nephew’s chair. “What’s my nephew playing thd fooj for?” he demanded. “What do you mean ?” she' asked, trying to speak calmly. “Just this—he’s no more married thap you ate!’ I’ll tell yoti how I know. : Reaching into his pocket, he extracted the envelope Marjory recognized as the one she had addressed. Out of it he took the letter and turned it over. On the . back she saw her handiwork, and a delicate flush stole ovqr her face. “Marjory CowlesMarjory Cowles Merrill —Mrs. Phillip Mejrill—” She had picked up that paper with Its scrlbblings to typewrite the letter on! “When I saw. P._ M. M. C. at the bottom of the letter. Uput two and two together. The girl in. my nephew’s office: lore with ae she took down a letter indicating that he was married! Jt,made me a mite suspicious qf that lettdf, and gave me an excuse to come on. - “And now that 1 have cbme—Well, he can have that money on one conditloh—that' he' makes good hfs Muff and marries you right away. You Rising, he went slowly out, leaving the girL speechless and indignant’ Then the hot tears welled Into her eyes and she buried her face in her arms on the desk. Nor did she hear the d&r open softly. Suddenly, two strong pirns swept her to her feet and “I met my. unde downstairs. He said *my wife* wanted me very badly. But it’s nothing, Marjory darling, to the way I want my wife. When can 1 claim her, sweetheart?" Marjory lifted her wet eyes, now] shining with happiness. “Any time!