Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-14
Ella regarded me witheringly; then said:

WuCu OHCzG DAlItOh kO51 uP VO RSU ready TOT dinner I shall simply lock the door. Then we can prets A. that the lock has stuck fast again snd t we can't get the door open. When Uncl iregory has gone to bed-you know he alw-Ss goes quite early-we can let poor old Uncle Simon out, and give him a 1 splendid supper to make up for the loss of his dinner. He is very good natured. you know. And then," she concluded, ''he will be away in the morning before Uncle Greg ory is up. So there you arer'
 gave vent to @ low, prolonged whistle. You are 8 most Machiavelian young woman, Nel," said gravely. "What a diplomatist you would have made!"
 "Yes," modestly; "I think it rather a nice little plan. It came to my head this after noon while was putting baby to sleep"
 There are two rather serious objections, however" observed, after pulling at my pipe for some seconds in silence.
 "Well I" rather sharply.
 "Well-it seems an uncommonly sneaky kind of thing, doesn't it 2 Even for us!" with a grim smile
 'Oh, mo-" promptly. "Not when you get used to the idea. thought so myself at first, but it soon wore off"
 "Ahl" I murmured, lost in admiration of this remarkable and easy code of morals.
 "You said two objections, Charlie" re- stunned my wife. "What was the otherr
 "How are you so sure that my uncle will arrive frstF' I inquired. ''1f it should chance to be yours wouldn't give much for the success of your plan. Mr. Carper is a very respectable old gentleman-but I think you could hardly call him sweet tempered He"-
 "Now, don't make objections, dear," in- terrupted Ella, decisively, II 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 dinner time"
 Besides" said weakly, s'there will be nc opportunity for the lock to stick fast, imagine. don't think my uncle locks his bedroom door. Men don't generally. 1 never do."
 'Oh, 1t doesn't want to be locked, you silly boyi If I left the key inside, how could I fasten it outsides Really, Charlie. you are much less intelligent than l thought you were"
 bore this accusation meekly and in si lence. was thinking what 8 fearful row there would be if the imprisoned uncle got out before the appointed time and found us entertaining the enemy at dinner. Then C sudden feeling of compunction took possession of me.
 "No, by Jover' exclaimed, rising iron the sofa, and taking up a position on the hearthrug, II won't consent to any suct plan. It's certain to miss fire somehow; anc then we'll be in nice scrape. Let the two old fellows come, and have done with it. Il they disinherit us both, and ignore our son. of all this pretense and underhand nonsense and won't have any more of 1t" But Ella, after dismayed pause, wept anc entreated so, and, in short, cajoled me in tn, way women do cajole us when they like tt such purpose that at last gave in and con sented, wherenpon hyperbolical letters wer, written to both uncles expressive of oul pleasure at their projected visit, etc. and permitted myself the luxury of being in a, exceedingly bad temper for the next fev days.
 The Hateful Tuesday arrived in due course and by Ella's special request came home b, a much earlier train than usual The after noon had passed without bringing Uncl Simon. Our evil star was evidently in th ascendant, for at half-past fly from tn, station drove up to the door, and from stepped-Uncle Gregory.
 looked at Ella witheringly.
 Never mind, dear," she said in hurriet tones. "It can't be helped. I'll manage Just leave everything to me-"
 Imuttered a few maledictory remarks un der my breath, and went to the door witt wreathed smiles to meet our relative say at once, by certain infalible signs, that h. was in one of his most aggressive moods H swore at the dyman; contradicted me f1atl, and rudely when mentioned the usual fare and snubbed poor Ella so viciously on th subject of a new velvet dress she wore that saw the tears spring to her eyes with mortif cation, and mysalf crimsoned with rage However, we pressed him to take some re freshment-sherry, think it was, and afte two large glasses of the same he becam somewhat modified.
 At this point telegram was handed in It was from my uncle, saying we might ex pect him by the 5:50.
 "Wouldnt you like to get ready for dime now, uncle z" Ella said after some tirne witt a nervous glance at the timepiece q ha, shown her the telegram-) It was a quarte to 6, and Uncle Simon's train was due in fiv minutes.
 "Plenty of time, plenty of time," said tn old gentleman, helping himself to anothe your
 saw that Ella was quite pale.
 "Pray, don't hurry" observed calmly AS spoke, the whistle of Uncle Simon train was heard in the distance. Ella disar peared from the room. and in another mo ment the dinner bell sounded vigorously.
 Old Carper rose-after imbibing fna glass of sherry.
 "I hope you have something decent fo dinner" he growIed. 'pm as hungry as hunter. Hadn't time for more than bite e lunch"
 smiled painful smile and murmure .. something to the effect that hoped he woul have something he could enjoy. ?. : The old fellow plodded heavily up stair. where Ella was waiting to usher him into th fateful pink room. In another moment m wife, flushed and breathless, joined me at tt foot of the stairs.
 Have you done 1t g' asked gloomil, feeling as imagine Macbeth must have don
 "Yes," she answered, showing me the ke, preparatory to slipping 1t into her pocke |. And, Charley, 1 took down the bellror to-day, so all Is safe But, oh deari ho very unfortunate that uncle Simon didn come first. suppose he will be here . rectly."
 Just then the doorben rang loudly. It WE uncle Simon.
 It chanced that MT. Finicker was not 1 5 the most amiable frame of mind, either. E . had lost his umbrella, it appeared, and W,