The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-16

other!"
 "How are you so sure that my uncle will arrive first2" I inquired. If it should chance to be yours I wouldn't give much for the success of your plan. MT. Carper is very respecta- ble old gentleman, but think you could hardly call him sweet tempered. | He"
 "Now, don't make objections, dear" :" interrupted Ella, decisively. q 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 be- fore dinner time."
 Besides" I said weakly, "there will be no opportunity for the lock to stick fast, imagine. don't think my uncle locks his bed room door. Men don't generally. l never do."
 "Oh, it doesn't want to be locked, you silly boy! If left the key inside how could l fasten it outside? Really, Charley, you are much less intelligent than thought you were"
 1 bore this accusation meekly and in silence. J was thinking what fear tul row there would be if the impris- oned uncle got out before the ap- pointed time and found us entertaining the enemy at dinner. Then sudden feeling of compunction took possession of me.
 "No, by Jovew l exclaimed, rising from the sofa and taking up position on the hearthrug "1 won't consent to any such plan. It's certain to miss fire somehow ; and then we'll be in a nice scrape. Let the two old fellows come, and have done with it. If they disinherit us both, and ignore our sons future, it can't be helped. Pm heartily sick of all this pretence and underhand nonsense, and 1 won't have any more of it."
 But Ella, after dismayed pause, wept and entreated so, and, in short, cajoled me in tine way women do ca jole us when they like, to such pur- pose that I at last gave in and consented. Whereupon hypocritical letters were written to both uncles, expressive oI our pleasure at their projected visit, etc., and I permitted myself the luxury of being in an ex- ceedingly bad temper for the next few days.
 The tateful Tuesday arrived in due course, and by Ella's special request came home by much earlier train than usual. The afternoon had passed without bringing Uncle Simon. Our evil star was evidently in the ascend ant for at half-past five fly from the station drove up to the door, and from it stepped-Uncle Gregory.
 l looked at Ella witheringly.
 "Never mind, dear," she said, in hurried tones. "It can't be helped. I'll manage. Just leave everything to mew
 muttered few maledictory re- marks under my breath, and went to the door with wreathed smiles to greet our relative. 1 saw at once, by certain infallible signs, that he was in one of his most aggressive moods. He swore at the fyman; contradicted me flatly and rudely when I mentioned the usual fare; and snubbed poor Ella so viciously on the subject of new velvet dress she wore that I saw the tears spring to her eyes with mortifi- cation, and l myself crinlsoned with rage. However, we pressed him to take some refreshment-sherry, think it was-and after two large glasses of the same he became somewhat molli- fed
 At this point a telegram was handed in. It was from my uncle, saying we might expect him by the 5:5O.
 "Wouldn't you like to get ready for dinner now, uncle?" Ella said after some time, with nervous glance at the timepiece q had shown her the telegram). It was quarter to six, and Uncle Simon's train was due in five minutes.
 "Plenty of time, plenty of time," said the old gentleman, helping him. self to another glass of sherry. "You don't dine till six, do your"
 saw that Ella was quite pale..
 "Pray, don't hurry" I observed calmly. AS I spoke the whistle of Uncle Simon's train was heard in the distance. Ella disappeared from the room, and in another. moment the dinner bell sounded vigorously.
 Old Carper rose after imbibing 8 final glass of sherry.
 "I hope you have something de- cent for dinner," he growled. "Pm as hungry as hunter. Hadn't time for more than bite at lunch" | smiled painful smile, murmured something to the effect that I hoped we would have something he could enjoy. Il The old fellow plodded heavily up stairs, where Ella was waiting to usher him into the fatefnl pink room. In another moment, my wife, flushed and breathless, joined me at the foot of tho sta ;rc