The St. Johns herald., 1900-08-04

| or the room De1Ore any or leT dstOH ished relations found breath to speak.
 "Oh, my poor, lost, little sister," saiC Amelia.
 ''It's the girls shocking selfshnesi and ingratitude 1 think of," snapped Augusta.
 Well, well, she is young. You mus remember-you had your fling in tht good old days"
 Really, Uncle William, think yol are unnecessarily-well-coarse. ad init accompanied my father to suct entertainments as he found time tC attend-and that l have been received it all the courts of Europe; If you like
 o call that having my fling"
 "Oh, don't, please. don't let us have any more disagreements," moaneG Amelia; i've two sisters must cling to gether now we are left desoIate"
 Well, what have you to propose Uncle WilIiam?"
 I've are here to discuss business anc We may as well get it over," said Au gusta.
 Uncle William returned from day. dream and. pulling himself together said:
 Well, l suppose you two may count on an income of about e14O a year Of course, Augusta can advantageous. Iy purchase an annuity"
 Certainly. l intend to do so."
 Quite wise. You would get about e90 instead Of not quite e 70 year :n that case. It would increase your united incomes to z 16O."
 Augusta looked grim, Amelia cast a sidelong glance in her direction. There was a long pause. Al last Amelia said
 Il thought, perhaps, should like to make little arrangement on my own account, if Augusta didn't object"
 "Ah!" said Augusta.
 Well, what is your little plan, Amelia?" said Uncle William, genially.
 That nice Mrs. Crowther, our late clergyman's widow, is living down at Richmond; 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. 1 think I could manage it."
 My dear Amelia, I'll see that you can manage it. In few years you'll be able to make a bid for an annuity, too, and until then I'll try what I can do to eke things out"
 
 "Oh, how kind of you! l was won- dering if it wouldn't be possible to get on the civil list, in consideration of papa's services, you know, as 1 am an invalid"
 Quite little business woman, after all," said Uncle William.
 Amelia always has an eye 10 the main chance" sneered Augusta. "It appears, then, l 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. Twill see about it this afternoon"
 "Oh, Aungusta, l hope you don't feel that am dcserting you?" said Amelia.
 'Why should I? Why should I 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 up-I-I'll come and live with you in your little fiat"
 There isn't room," said Augusta, i~b ho venient for more than one person and the servant"
 You'll never be able to afford a serv- ant on G9O year." sobbed Amelia.
 ''At any rate shall want the third room as box room-it would be inn 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. shall make my own arrangements now."
 Augusta! I believe you want to be alone, too"
 "So 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-everything that was mine by rights. We'll, we all know that gratitude is a sense of favors to come. have my reward, certainly"
 Come, cOme," said Uncle William, you are all overwrought. Don't let us say any more at present. When your nerves are calmer you'll regret all this l and see things in a better light"
 "l'm not so sure about that" said 1 Augusta bitterly. Home is very we'll | for children, but grown women are not 1 meant to live together, and believe to l part is the best thing we can do."
 "ln fact, you wish to put London be- 1 weeI you and the rest of your family, | IS Anne said," whispered Uncle Will jam. not without malice prepense.
 Don't mention the girl"
 "Oh, we must thing kindly of her," nterposed Amelia.
 "Wen, I'll be off now and try to ar 'ange matters according to your re- ,pective wishes" said the uncle. After Ill. there's strange unanimity in them. foodhy."
 "Good-by. uncle; you'll see about the Lnnuity, won't you?" said Augusta. Certainly"
 "Good-by. dear uncle; you'll consider what can be done about the civil list tension, won't you?" said Amelia. ''Of course"
 As he went out he met Anne in the all with her boxes, just about to drive fl in hansom. She said:
 'Good-by, Uncle William. Don't for ct to come and dine in Brook street" "Delighted."
 After he put her in the cab he walked own the street, congratulating h;m- elf that he was bachelor and that he