The Holly chieftain., 1903-06-19

tnen MT StrutnerS descended frOI1 his
attic, and they all set out to dine to-
gether at some restaurant, and twice
the electrician was lured from his
work in the early afternoon and car
ried of to one of the popular resorts
beside the sea. But Roof Park was
no. neglected. Almost every evening
the moon found them there drinking
tbs coffee prepared by Mr., Struthers in
his laboratory, and Notwithstanding
this beverage it invariably happened
that Uncle Phineas fell asleep before
the singing was at an end.
Over and over again Eleanor was on
the point of broaching TO her uncle
the question of her future, but some
how the words fingered on her lips.
Was it not probable that, like her
Aunt Emma, he would suggest that
she paint on china or give lessons in
whist in order to satisfy her yearnings
to be usefully employed? The more
she pondered the matter the greater
was her doubt as to what view he
would take, and yet her desire for
definite occupation was growing daily.
On several occasions, while she and
the professor were sitting together, his
face had assumed the peculiar con-
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 conf
dence, he had, unknown to Eleanor,
been a victim of remorse and had
been trying to screw up his courage SO
far as to request her to make state
pened that there were occasional
lapses in their conversation. when
each sat tongue-tied in the presence of
the other, yet wholly unaware of the
others uneasiness.
Remore proved in the end the more
potent factor, and Uncle Phineas was
the first to speak. 1t 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, 81 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 diffidence, as l told you at the
time, in meddling 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
bearishness, for You are the apple of
my eye ,as you ought to know, and
am more anxious that you should be
happy, and make success of life,
than l am for anything else in the
world. Come he added, more blithe
ly, gaining ease through his own sim
cerity make clean breast of it. 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 l wish to speak
to you about, Uncle Phin, but it 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 woman had
out asking anybody's advice-even adj
vice as sensible as yours would surely
be; and you must once and for all get
the idea out of your head-I cant
imagine how it 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, if you will
promise me this, and say that you
believe me on your word Of honor.
III tell you what really wish to have
your advice about. You believe me,
don't you, Uncle Phin?
"Of course, if you say so, Peach
Blossom; you ought to be the best
judge" he answered, with an equivo-