The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-12-30


her manner. she really did love Uncle
Fame. Il. ~ o. b.
t"He's failing--rm sure he's failingr'
said Gladys to Esther. "He went to
sleep twice while l,was writing that te.
dfous nenscnse about stars and paral.
lakes and Asteroids TO his dictation and
slept good long time. and he's actually
going up to Philadelphia to read that
mass Of four syllabled dullness to some
scientific convention or other. When
heard that l made up my mind and
wrote of lot Of letters while he was
mapping 10 some nice young people
know"
Letters. Gladys! What for?"
ITO invite them to merry gathering
here to the Old Year out and the New
Year in," laughed Gladya. II told Su-
sic Lspham to order the supper from
Datori's. and authorized Jim Le Cou-
gray to engage pianist and two violin
lists. Now don't look so Mortified. Uncle
Nat Will be none the wiser and he'll be
enjoying himself at his scientific con-
vention, so why shouldn't we go in for q
bit Of fun too9 And If you know what
color is most becoming to you, Essie,
you'll order heliotrope dress for the
occasion. You are quite decent looking
in heliotropel"
81 shall certainly countenance no such
affair, Gladysw said Esther decidedly.
Nothing Is further from my thoughts
than openly to disobey Uncle Nat"
But you won't betray me, Esther?
You wouldn't be so dishonorable?'
at would be still more dishonorable
to deceive Uncle Natl" protested Esther
Promise me, Gladys, to abandon the
whole AFFAIR.""
And to her great relief Gladys prom
ised, pouting and ready to cry, however
Going to Philadelphia was great
event In Mr.. Fsne's life. Twice-three
times Gladys had to copy the somewhat
prolix paper which he proposed to read
before the members Of his scientific club
and at the very last it was taken out Of
her hands and sent to n typewriting
young damsel in the neighborhood.
His portmanteau was carefully packed
and repacked; score OF directions was
reiterated to every one in the house, and
at last he went away, tucked carefully
up in the sleigh, with fur gloves, silk
muflers and arctic rubbers without end.
What dreadful old molly coddle he
is, to be surer' said irreverent Gladys.
And when the cutter came jingling
back from the station she beckoned to
little Cesar to stop
"Tm going to the station myself" said
she
"Oh, Gladys, what fory'
ITO send half dozen telegrams or
So" said the city young lady composedly,
Ito hurry up matters about my New
Years party"
Your New Years party! | thought
you had given it up. Gladys"
mot |. Ii you don't want to come to
it, Miss Stiff-and-prim, you needn't. But
mean to have it, all the same!" and
Gladys danced merrily OFF to the sleigh,
and whirled away like laughing sprite
into the brilliant winter sunshine.
New Years eve came, and for Won
der it neither rained, sieeted nor showed.
The roads were like firm, beautiful ala
baster; the skyall studded with glitter
ing stars; the air just cold enough to he
bracing and invigorating. The Fame
house was Illuminated from garret tc
cellar, the band was clashing out gay
music, and the train from Philadelphia
had brought goodly number of young
people in gala array, who We're to be re.
enforced by the neighbors, all of whom
We're bound over to secrecy.
Gladys, in blue silk dress, draped
with clouds of azure tulle, which had
been charged to Uncle Fane's account
was receiving them most graciously
and the tide OF gayety was at its high
est when the head waiter came to ask
her if it was her pleasure that the sup.
per should be served
Lets go down and look at the table
jim" she said to young Mr.. lie Cou.
vray, who seemed to act as her regent in
chief, Ito make sure that it's all right
before we invite our friends to eat
drink and be merry"
who's that old cove just coming in
at the opposite door-the caterer him
self" said facetious Le Couvray, ''ol
some tramp who has smelled the frying
oysters and chicken croquettes under
the kitchen windows
Gladys dropped her escorts arm and
grew pale a. ashes?
"Uncle Natw she gasped.
"A happy New Year, my DEAR" said
Uncle Nat. chuckling. "You hardly ex
pected to see me hero. did you? A fine
supper this you have prepared. III JUS
drink cup OF coffee and eat little Of
this very excellent chicken salad before
go up to my room. You see, the OLE
man isn't quite SO ignorant Of what /.
going on as you supposed he was"
ESTHER has turned spy and inform
er!" cried Gladys II never. never will
forgive her!'
Not at all. my dear; not at ALL" sale
Uncle Fame. But ! Glanced to fine
among the pages Of my Astronomical
manuscript II half finished letter from
yourself to some city friend, in vhicI
you described in Il very spirited way IN
and my household, and your intention O
outwitting beth me and Esther Ellis b,
| yivip,y Maui War; ~, a 90, =,