The Elbert County tribune., 1903-06-18

strained expression Observable when
he was I'll at ease. and he. too had
seemed on the point of speaking OF
something on his mind. Ever since his
shrinking from her proffered conn.
dence. he had. unknown TO Eleanor.
been a victim of remorse and had
been trying 10 screw up his courage so
far ms to request her 10 make a state
ment OF her perplexitics. Thus II hap
pened that there were occasional
lapses in their conversation. when
each sat toDgue-tied in the presence OF
tbs other. yet wholly unaware of the
others uneaslness.
Remore proved in the end the more
potent factor. and Uncle Phineas was
the first to speak. II was Just after
luncheon. when he had fortified his
tagging resolution with beer and sand.
wiches.
My dear" he began. and then
halted
As this was not his ordinary phrase
In addressing her. Eleanor looked at
him inquiringly. realizing that what
he had to say must be out of the com
mon run.
My dear" he resumed. Il am afraid
you got an impression the other day
the day you arrived. you remember
from my manner when you spoke to
me of wishing to ask my advice as to
some matter-that was-eh-not ex.
actly encouraging. You see, felt some
natural diflidence. as | told you at the
time. in meddllng with affairs OF the
heart. which are rather outside the
experience of an old bachelor like
me- He paused. and laughed ner.
vously, then, as though he were deter
mined, now that the plunge was taken.
to face the situation squarely, he said.
with an earnest air. But. my dear. II
can really be of service to YOU in
helping you reach decision about
any matter. you must speak and let
me know what It is. and not mind my
bearlshness, for you are the apple OF
my eye as you ought to know. and
am more anxious that you should be
habpy, and make success of life.
than | am for anything else in the
world. Come" he added. more blithe-
ly. gaining ease through his own sin
cerity. make n clean breast of II. Let
me know the facts in the case. and
will do the best | can to solve your
difficulties"
Eleanor. who had listened to him at
first perplexedly. was regarding him
now with blushing merriment
There is a matter | wish to speak
to you about. Uncle Phin. but 1t isn't
in the least OF the kind you evidently
suppose. | rather think that | quite
agree with what you said the other
day. that In love affairs a woman had
better make up her own mind with.
out asking anybody's advice-even ad.
vice as sensible as yours would surely
be; and you must once and for all get
the Idea out OF your head-I can't
imagine how il ever got there-that
| am in love or engaged. or thinking
about being engaged. or. in fact, that
the notion of marriage Is anywhere
lurking in my brain. Now. II you will
promise me this, and say that you
believe me on your word OF honor.
Ill tell you what | really wish to have
your advice about. You believe me.
don't you, Uncle Phin?
''of course. II you say so. Peach
Blossom; you ought to be the best
Judge" he answered. with an equivo-
cal air. as he struck a match to light
his meersehaum.
Eleanor leaned forward and blew
out the flame. and snatched up the
matchbox from the table.
You are a perverse, obstinate
man." she cried. Now you shall not
have single Whit until you tell me
you are convinced | am speaking the
truth" She sat down on the arm OF
his easy chair. and bending over.
looked into his eyes. What have 1
said or done TO make you imagine any
thing so ahsurd?"
why absurd?" he asked. restored
to equanimity.
''of course it would be absurd. I
don't intend to think OF marriage for
tive years-if ever"
Methinks the woman doth protest
too much.
(To be continuedD