Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-20

tptenulu supper W manu- Wy tVf eno iosS
OF his dinner. He is very good ma
tnred, you know. And then" she con-
cluded, "he will be away in the morn
ing before Uncle Gregory is up. So
there You are
Igave vent to low, prolonged whis-
lie.
"you are most Machiavelian young
woman, Nell |" said gravely. "Whst
diplomstist you would have made !"
"Yes,' modestly +" Think it is rather
nice little plan. II came into my head
this afternoon while was putting baby
TO sleep"
"There are two rather serious obiec-
tions, however," i observed, after
putting at my pipe for some seconds in
silence.
"well ," rather sharply.
"Well--it seems an uncommonly
sneaky kind Of thing, doesn'tit? Even
for us with grim smile.
"0h, no." promptly. mot when
you get used 10 the idea. / thought so
myself ct first. but it soon wore of.
"Ahi"I murmured, lost in admira-
ton Of this remarkable and easy code OF
morals.
"You said two objections. Charlie"
resummed my wife. "What was the
other 2"
Chow are you so sure that my uncle
will arrive frst?" / inquired. elf it
should chance to be yours, | wouldn't
give much for the success OF your plan.
Mr.. Carper is very respectable old
centeman-but | think you could hard
ly call him sweet tempered He"
NOW, don't make objections, dear,
interrupted Ella decisiyely. 81 know
your uncle will come first, because he
always comes early IN the afternoon. and
Uncle Gregory never comes until the
last train he can possibly get before din
ner-time."
Besides" / said weakly, "there will
be no opportunity for the lock to stick
fast, imagine. / don't think my uncle
'ocks his bedroom door. Men don't,
generally. | never do.
"Oh, it doesn't want to be locked,
you silly boy! If | left the key inside
how could fasten it outside? Really,
Charlie, you are much less intelligent
than thought you were"
bore this accusation meekly and in
silence, was thinking what fearful
row there would be if the imprisoned
uncle got out before the appointed time
and found US entertaining the enemy at
dinner. Then a sudden feeling of COM
Function took possession OF me.
Ono, by JOve L exclaimed, rising
from the sofa and taking up position
on the hearth rug. 81 won't consent to
any snch plan. It's certain TO miss fire
somehow, and then we'll be in nice
scrape. Let the two old fellows come,
and have done with it. If they disin-
herit us both, and ignore our sons fu-
ture, it can't be helped. I'm heartily
sick of all this pretence and underhand
nonsense, and won't have any more OF
it."
But Ella, after a dismayed pause.
wept and entreated so, and, in short,
csjoled me in the way women do cajole
us when they like, to such purpose that
| at last gave in and consented. Where
upon hypocrticsl letters were written
to both uncles, expressive of our plea
sure at their projected visit, &c. ; and /
permitted myself the luxury OF being
in an exceedingly bad temper for the
next few days.
The fateiul Tuesday arrived in due
course, and by Elias special request |
came home by much earlier train than
usual. The afternoon had passed with
out bringing Uncle Simon. Our evil star
was evidently in the ascendant; for at
$50 fly from the station drove up to
the door, and from it stepped-Uncle
Gregory
looked at Ella witheringly.
"Never mind, DEAR" she said, in
hurried tones. at can't be helped. I'll
manage. just leave everything to me !"
] muttered few maledictory remarks
under my breath and went to the door
with wreathed smiles to greet our rela-
tive. saw at once, by certain infalhble
signs, that he was in one Of his most ag-
gressive moods. He swore at the flymaD,
contradicted me fatty and rudely when
/ mentioned the usual fare. and snubbed
poor Ella so viciously on the subject OF
new velvet dress she wore that L saw
the tears spring to her eyes with mortifi-
cation, and | myself crimsOned with
rage. However, we pressed him to take
some MISUNDERSTANDING, / think 1t
was-and after two large glasses of the
same he became somewhat Modified.
At this point telegram was handed
in. 1t was from my uncle. saying we
might expect him by the $50.
Wouldn't You like to get ready for
dinner now, uncle?" Ella said after
some time, with nervous glance at the
time.piece. Il had shown her the tele-
gram. 1t was quarter to 6, and Uncle
Simon's train was due in FIVE minutes.
PLENTY of time, plenty of time,
said the old gentleman, helping himself
TO another glass of sherry. "You don't
dine till 6, do you?
saw that Ella was quite pale.
pray, don't hurry" observed calm
ly. As spoke the whistle of Uncle ST.
mons tram was heard in the distance.
Ella disappeared from the room, and in
another moment the dinner-bell sounded
vigorously:
Old Carper rose after imbibing final
glass of sherry.
81 hope you have something decent
for dinner" he growled. "l'm as hun
cry as q hunter, Hadn't time for more
than bite at lunch"
l smiled painful smile, and muir
INJURED something to the effect that l
hoped he could have something he could
| enjoy.
The old fellow plodded heavily up
stairs, where Ella was waiting to usher
him into his fsteful pink room. In an
other moment my wife, flushed and
breathless, joined re at the foot of the
stairs.
"Have you done ii ?"I asked, gloomi-
ly. feeling as l imagine Macbeth must
have done.
"Yes, she answered, showing me the
key, preparatory to slipping it into her
pocket. "And, Charlie, took down
the bell.rope to-day so all is safe. But,
oh, dear how very unfortunate that
Uncle Simon didn't come first. l sup
pose he will be here directly"
Just then the door bell rang loudly. 1t
was Uncle Simon.
IL CHANGED that Mr.. Finicker was not