The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1888-08-08

fare, aud snubbed poor ella so vjciously
on the subject OF u new velvet dress
n wore that | saw the tears spring to
her eyes with modification, and 1
myself crimsOned with rage. However,
we pressed him to take some refresll-
ment-sherry. | think it was, and after
two large glasses Of the same he be-
came somewhat molllleu.
At this point a telegram was handed
Id. 1t was from my uncle, saying we
might expect him by the $50.
"Wouldn't you like to get ready for
dinner now, unclep" ELLA said after
some time, with Il nervous glance at
the timepece. Il had shown her the
telegram.) 1t was u quarter to 9, and
Uncle Simon's train was due in i've
minutes.
"Plenty Of time, plenty of timal'
said the old gentleman, helping him.
self to another glass Of sherry. "You
don't dine till 8, do yOu?n
| saw that ELLA was quito pale.
'Pray, don't hurry" l observed
calmly. AS L spoke, the whistle OF
Uncie Siuion's train was heard In tho
distance. ELLA Disappeared from tue
room, and in another moment the din
ner bell sounded vigorously.
Old Carper ~rose-after imbiblng n
final glass OF sherry.
81 hope you have something decent
for dinner" he growled. "I'm as
hungry as hunter. Hadn't time for
moro than II bite at lunch"
l smiled a painful smile AMI muir
INJURED something to tho effect that I
hoped he would have something he
could enjoy.
Tho old fellow plodded heavily up
stairs, whore ELLA was waiting to usher
him into tho Hateful pink room. In
another moment my wlfo, flushed and
breathless, joined me ut the foot OF the
stairs.
'IIave you ;don it?" I asked
gloomily, feeling as I imagine Macbeth
must have done.
Yes" She answered., showing me
the key, preparatory to slipping It into
her pocket. land, Charley, I took
down the bellrope to-day, SO all Is
safe. But. oh dearl how very unfortu.
nate that Uncle Simon didn't conc
first. | suppose he will be here dl.
rectly."
just then the doorbell rang loudly.
It was Uncle Simon.
1t chahcod that MI. Flnicker was
not IN the most amlcaDlo frame OF
mind, either. lie had lost his UNI
brella, it appeared, and vas even more
aggravatingly nervous and lidgety than
usual.
Just as dinner was served, a loud
banging was heard from the room
above. Ct don't think 1 have mentioned
that the piuk room was situated Just
above the dining room.) L liastenod
upstairs, and hypocritically turned the
handle Of the pink room door, having
previously Knocked.
"Are you not coming down to din
ner, Mr.. Carper2" | inquired, feeling,
l confess, rather ashamed Of myself.
"Coming downl" Numbered my
wife's uncle Indignantly from within.
soc course I'm coming down; but l
can't get the door openE"
"Nop" l returned, with q careful
accent Of surprise. II trust this con-
founded lock has not caught again.
We intended having it repaired, but
the locksmith has unfortunately not
arrived" (Which, as lie had not been
sent for, was not to be wondered att
"Shake the handle from the inside"
1 continued.
Flo shook the handle. butt need
h0y6iy say --lrlLhonb eittct. J. SHOOK II
asa.
f'l3erlms You I.ayp lartad itYn /
.slKgoSted, allowing a faint alnptpt ~
anxiety 20 appear II tllY topn.
'{,o3ke1 ito l%libhisli. waa thu
lrato lepig 'Nl,at snontl | Jock i
fOrI I'm not q woman. Besides,
there's no key"
ST am exceedingly annoyed" 1 went
on, in a voice full Of vexed solicitude:
"but / fear we can do nothing until
the locksmIth comes. 1t is most un'
fortunate!' He Shall be sent for again
at once; but Of use it will take some
little time, as we are so far from the
village"
Whereupon followed fearful and
ungovernable langua re- from Mr.. Car
per. He shook Tho door violently,
stamped about the room, and "went
on' generally in u most alarming way,
I paci1ed him rs we'll us T could, or,
rather, l tried to pacify him, but he
continued to storm and swear without
ware nothing less-and AT. last 1 went
uOWI oldlifS USuiUt dIlo oOON Ivy pltCC
at the head Of the table in a furious
passion. Our previous decept;ons had
never gone so far as this, and 1 felt
myself IL sneak from the tips OF my
fingers to the toes OF my boots. This
was a most prepOsterOus md outrage
Il plan of Elias, l reflected savagely.
We could never carry 1t out. Why
had l listened to herr
As we devoured our soup we could
hear footsteps tramping about excltadly
and i%rregularly overhead. Then there
was u sudden silence. It vas the lull
before the storm.
Scarcely had the fish been removed
than a series Of loud bangs resonnded
on the panels up stairs. Uncle Simon
started n%ervously. Ella became Grim
son and mut.ered something about
%"rousing baby" took no notice, but
went on grimly carving the fowl be.
fore me.
"Will you take a leg, or q wing,
49, Y =. -