The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-09-28

Of the room before any of her aston
ished relations found breath to speak.
"Oh, my poor, lost, little sister," said
Amelia.
It's the girls shocking selfishness
and ingrattude l think of" snapped
Augusta.
well, well, she is young. You must
remember-you had your fling in the
good old days.
Really, Uncle William, | think you
are unnecessarily well-coarse. adj
NIT | accompanied my father to such
entertainments as he found time to
| attend-and that l have been received
at all the courts of Europe; if you like
to call that having my fling"
"Oh, don't, please, don't let us have
any more disagreements," moaned
Amelia; 1--WE two sisters must cling to-
| gether now we are left desolate.
We'll. what have you to propose,
! Uncle William"
I'VE are here to discuss business and
we may as well get it over" said Au-
gusta.
Uncle William returned from a day
dream and. pulling himself together,
said:
well, | suppose you two may count
ON an income of about c 40 year.
Of course, Augusta can advantageous
ly purchase an annuity"
"Certainly, l intend to do So"
Quite wise. You would get about
| G 90 instead of not c,,i+c A. IN , ,-,,r
that case. 1t would increase your
united incomes to EGO"
Augusta looked grim, Amelia cast 4
sidelong glance ip her direction. There
was long pause. At last Amelia said:
Il thought, perhaps, l should like 10
make a little arrangement on my own
account, if Augusta didn't object"
ALI" said Augusta.
We'll, what is your little plan,
AmeIia?" said Uncle William, genially.
That nice Mrs. Crowther, our late
cIergyman's widow, is living down at
lichmcnd; she offered to take me in
any time as a paying guest for one
pound week; they are such nice, pleas
ant people, you know, so bright and
lively; it always does me good to be
with them. l think | could manage
it,"
My dear Amelia, I'll see that you can
manage it. In a few years you'll be
able to make bid for an annuity, too,
and until then I'll try what [ can do to
exc things out
"Oh, how kind of you. | was won
dering if it wouldn't be possible to get
on the civil list, in consideration OF
papa's services, you know, as l am an
invalid"
Quite little business woman, after
all" said Uncle William.
Amelia always HAS an eye TO the
main chance" sneered Augusta. 1T
appears, then, | am to be left to shift
for myself, SO | shall at once accept an
offer L have had of little flat near
Sloane square that single lady | know
is just about TO give up. will see about
it this afternoon"
"Oh, Aungusta, hope you don't feel
that [ am deserving YOU said Amelia.
Why should |? Why should | feel
deserted? Both my sisters have shown
themselves most anxious to remain with
me, haven't they?" replied Augusta, in
her most acrimonious accents.
DO not talk in that hard way, Au-
gusta; I'll give it uphill come and
live with you in your little fiat"
There isn't ROOM said Augusta,
snappishly. 1T would be most incon
yenient for more than one person and
TIE servant"
you'll never be able to afford a serv-
ant on { 80 year." sobbed Amelia.
AT any rate | shall want the third
room as d box room-it would be i'm
possible for you TO live there. Be
sides, the stairs-you could never man
age them"
"Perhaps we could go somewhere
else together"
'No-you've had your chance. l
shall make my own arrangements
now"
augusta! l believe you want to be
alone, too
80 the secret is out! You want
to be alone, do you, after all the devo-
ton that has been lavished upon you
for years? After you have had the
best bedroom-eyerything that was
mine by rights. Well, we all know
that gratitude is a sense of favors to
come. l have my reward, certainly"
Come, come" said Uncle William,
you are all overweight. Don't let US
say any more at present When your
nerves are calmer you'll regret all this
and see things in better light"
I'm not so sure about that" said
Augusta bitterly. Home is very well
for children, but grown women are not
meant to live together, and l believe to
part is the best thing we can do
In fact, you wish to put London be-
tween you and the rest Of your family,
as Anne said" whispered Uncle Will
liam, not without malice prepense.
Don't mention the girl"
"Oh, we must thing kindly of her"
interposed Amelia.
"Well, III be off now and try to ar
range matters according to your re-
spectve wishes" said the uncle. After
all, there's a strange unanimity in them.
| Good 1,,.