Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-27

complications, resulting in final rupture. 'He
who runs may read"
wonder whether she ever hears from Mr.
MAXWELL Thought he would have answered
my note before this, especially after begging me
So to write.
November 49,
l have begun upon q new plan. Things are
becoming monotonous and it is time to turn
the tables. Uncle Simon. having criticised
nearly everything else about me. began this
morning upon my hair.
Niece. you don't wear your hair properly.
There Is but one way for a woman to wear it;
that Is plainly parted and coiled low down be-
hind. That way of piling it all up on the top Of
your head is quite out Of character"
Uncle, I'm glad you mentioned It. for it
gives me courage. ! have often wanted to tell
you that you don't wear your beard properly
There is but one way for man to wear it: that
is. with neatly shaved chin. and only a mus
tache and long whsllprs Left
Uncle Simon stared at me. ''Are you craZy?"
he said. Mice l should look, at my time of
life! But about your hair: I'll show you how
would improve your appearance"
Indeed, uncle. | am in earnest. said you
don't know how much better you would look
III show you how to shave if you like.
Uncle Simon began to see. He stared at me
for moment: then with a sort of snort half
amusement. half disgust he got up from the
table and began to fill and light his pipe As
for me, | took up my knitting and went on with
it calmly: He contemplated me for while
through the smoke clouds. Then he said, ''Niece,
you don't hold your needles right"
do you know how to knit. uncle?" / asked.
81! Why certainly not but that does not him
der my knowing how it shoud be done
NO. said; "but. uncle, pray forgive me;
but the. way you smoke really distresses me.
You don't hold your pipe right and"
And pray, miss, ne said, do you know how
to smoker"
Certainly not,"l said; ''but that does not
hinder my knowing how it should be done, does
it?'
.'Well it just does" said Uncle Simon.
But demonstrated. Not at ALL uncle. I've
seen lots ofmen smoke. and know just how it
should be done. You see"
"Will you let me and my pipe alone?" said
Uncle Simon.
Yes. said !: 'if you'n leave me and my
knitting alone
Uncle Simon's eyes twinkled little. but he
said nothing. only walked into the kitchen-to
take 1t out of Amanda, suppose. If she were
not the best creature in the world she never
would stand his constant ''advice."
November 81.
We had quite little excitement here last
night. Lulu took tea here by Uncle Simon's
invitation and Mr.. Parker happened in after
ward. MIR. Parker was livelicr than usual quite
Frightening up under Lulus chatter. | am be-
ginning to suspect him of an inclination i'm that
quarter. the more so as Uncle Simon watched
thNh JSUiouSigs cutting Ill Ut every 6Bp0fIu-
nifty. His face quite beamed when l took pity
upon him, and inveigled Mr.. Parker into q cor
Her, leaving the field free for him. Talking to
Mr. Parker was more uphill work than ever
with his chances straying away every moment to
Lulus corner. So it was relief when Uncle ST.
mon went INTO the dlning-roOm to attend to the
IRE. One Of the many ways in which Uncle ST.
mon naddens Amanda is by poking and prying
continually into every stove and fireplace in the
house, under the firm conviction that nobody
can attend properly to fires but himself
After he had left the room Lulu and Mr. Parker
drifted together. while 1 kept my seat, which
commanded the door of the dning-room across
the nall. Suddenly, through the crack of the
dinlng-room door. [ fash of brilliant
light; then came an insane scufiiing and skurry-
ing. muffied shouts and CALCULATIONS in Uncle
Simons voice or course we all rushed into the
dinng-room. to find Uncle Simon incapable for
once OF giving advice. as he capered wildly about
the room, quite uncertain what to do. In the
course OF his explorations he had taken out the
ash pan and set it upon newspaper to preserve
the carpet from injury. Being hot as ash pans
are apt to be, it had smouldered for moment
and then flashed suddenly into blaze. Mr.
Parker was the only one of us who had any
sense. He took In the situation at once. and
rushing from the room, returned with some
dark object which he threw over the burning
paper. pressing and trampling IT down until the
flames were completely s;nothered. Uncle
Simon looked at the ruins for moment as Mr.
Parker removed the charred remains of his new
overcOat
For once" I thought, ''Uncle Simon will
find it impossible to give advice But was
mistaken
ut is all Amanda's fault" said Uncle Simon.
Nv nat does she mean by keeping her ash pans
SO hot9 must go and speak to her about it,
Even Amanda, the ,ong-suffering, blazed up
this time as fiercely as the paper had done /
heard her voice. choked with angry tears; but
any idea Of the mischief which Uncle Simon was
doing had not, for Lulu was whispering in my
ear:
Il had letter from George Maxwell to-day.
He wants to know how you are getting on and
why you don't write to him. What shall l
say?"
Say? Let her say what she pleases. IF he
wants to know about me let him ask me HIM
SELF 1t is an impertinence to send messages in
this roundabout way. What is it to me?
Just as wrote the last word Amanda came
TO my door.
Il can't stand it no longer. miss" she said.
sit amt the'work mind No, miss it amt the
work, but it's this beastly nag. nag, nagging
that an angel OF light couldn't stand, let alone
the old fellow himself. saving his presence! He
must teach me to boil and bake and roast and
fry. to knead bread and scrub floors and make
beds. and the dear knows what all. I've got a
sick sister and alamo brother, and he gives good
wages, or couldn't have stood it as long as 7
have I'm at the end OF my patience now.
though. and good luck to him with the next
one. pinned dishcloth to mis- coat tail once"
said Amanda, with hysterlc giggle. land he
wore 1t all day. 1 took it off at night uube-
knownst to him, and he's been wondering ever
since what made folks laugh so that day I'm
sorry to leave YOU miss. but him can't stand,
nor won't. Only one thing miss: don't YOU 90
cooking for him. if he goes down on his Blended
knees. saints own temper couldn't stand it.
and you'd find wrinkles coming round your
pretty eyes before you knew it."
No. Amanda shall not cook for him-not 7.
I'll starve first. | wonder whether breakfast
will be early tomorrow? wonder whether it
will nc good? 1.-THE day will come. and we
Shall be wiser" as Gregory Lopez was fond of
saying.
November %.
II wasn't early, and It wasn't good. was
awakened about eight o'clock BY modest
knock at my door. l answered through the kew
hole.
Amanda has gone" said Uncle Simon: and
| expressed all due surprise. ''Can you cook?"
was the next inquiry, to which | returned a
prompt and decided negative
Having by this time struggled into a wrapper.
l opened my door to find Uncle Simon LOOKING
uncommonly thoughtful.
You are sure you can not cook. Maddie3" he
asked again
Dear uncle, what chance have ever had 10
iearn9 But thai does not matter for you excel
in it. you know"
do l!' said Uncle Simon. obviously.
BUT replied, briskly: why. certainly. How
tlons, and wondered at your skill What q
breakfast we shall have l am hungry already
at the thought of it,"
Uncle Simon went down stairs slowly yarv