Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-23

a crowd of my friends were making signs of recognition. Suddenly I was aware that a familiar face was gazing at me across the table.
 Good Heavens." l gasped, "can 1t be you, Uncle John?"
 "Why, yes," he said, warmly, and I'm delighted to meet you. The fact is, this is flying visit. I meant to have called on you tomorrow at your rooms"
 But I said, in astonishment, what on earth has brought you to Les Trois Eglises?"
 "A man at the club recommended it to me for my chapter on New York Degeneracy, he answered, compla- gently. He was right. see around me absolute company. I think l see consumption of absinthe. There is an air of dissipation and unre- straint. As for you, nephew, am not sure"
 The orchestra interrupted what he was about to say on the score of my self, and the strains of the Marsellaise, with its wonderful suggestiveness, add ed 70 a certain sinister effect produced by strings, struck up and charged the atmosphere with sense of movement. The buzz of voices was no longer low and intermittent People, speaking at their normal pitch. lost the threads of each others talk, and had to re- peat what they said q little more clear ly and little more loudly. Thus it happened that everyone's voice was gradually being raised. Moreover, was rot alone in realizing that the vio- linists were plying their bows with verye more fascinating and inspiring than they had ever displayed before
 Mems lips. generally closed by philo' sophie silence, moved in torrents oi eloouence; the lack-luster of eyes, usu. ally contemplative Of space, gave way to a brilliant and significant sparkle And with all this access of animation I fancied I could detect a certain ex' pectancy.
 Uncle John, whose eyes were every where, was rapidly transcribing ma terial for New York Degeneracy.' How wished Maurice were with me! Lucette was waving recognition, and I returned cautious salute, glancine at my uncle, whom l began to hnc embarrassing. The sooner took him of the better. I drained my glass touched his shoulder, and stood up.
 At that moment there was a sudder activity. The group in the corner arose, too, glasses in hand, chanting the intoxicating chorus of the Mar sellaise; they moved toward us. Moth ing could have been more ill-timed And Uncle John, of all people! Hi forid brow was troubled 5sa
 felt I must explain. I must war; them. turned hastily to my uncle.
 'I shall rebuke those brawlers, said severely, and advanced to mee' them. Lucette came first.
 Your cousin who is seeing life" ant she pointed derisively at my Uncle John. was filled with horror. TheI it all dawned on me.
 Maurice is not here," I shouted but my words were lost. Before ha' even spoken the contents of a iiquo glass were trickling down my uncle astounded face, and the sickly smell o creme de menthe seemed to pervad' the atmosphere.
 In another second, his hat smashed down over his eyes, he was tn' center of gesticulating combatants shoats of laughter went up iron every side, and when the manager, at tended by a posse of hysterical wait CTS. syooped down on us. men mount ed chars and tables scattering bottlel and glasses with noise like pisto fire. Instantly We were precipitatet through the doorway. a struggiint mass of humanity, bearing somewher' in it's depths my uncle. angry and re sisting.
 OUt
 outer passage to the street l caught fiee,ing glance of well-known fgur' in the act of making cautious entry A seconds indecision and he was en gulfed. Our momentum was irresist ihle. and Maurice was whirled baci into the road.
 Uncle John and Maurice retired arm-in.arm. Neither had any definit' charge to bring home to me, yet some how ! did not join them. Nor di' they wait for me.
 My kind conspira,ors gave me thei brea;hless Out unaffecte0 congratu latioas. and one by one I shook thei hands. 1t was their rnselish triumph and lew could I disillusion them! Ant vet at one blow. it has closed my uncle bospitsble doors and has dictated codicil in his will.
 And Maurice has sister.
 Society Dfd the Baby Act.