The Democratic advocate., 1909-10-15
THE COMING OF
UNCLE BYRON.

A4OAit VNChCt anu lOOkGu dCIOHt
the table at his wife. "A small sur.
prise, my dear" he said
Not an unleasant one?"
John smiled a little ruefully.
1T depends on the point of view"
He slowly produced letter.
sWe are to have a visitor" he said
"A visitor!" she echoed.
Eyes. He says he'll come If it's
convenient"
What did you answer him?'
Nothing. He's on his way here
now. He's coming in person to find
out whether it's convenient"
who is he, John?"
Hes my great-uncIe. I'd forgot
ten all about him, but he hadn't for
gotten me. He's my mothers Uncle
BY, her youngest uncle"
Uncle By?"
short for Byron Uncle Byron
Train"
And what Is he?"
'He neglected to say. Writes that
he's been knocking around good
deal. Sort of rolling stone, / fancy.
Poor, too, no doubt. Wants to renew
his acquaintance with his dear nep-
hew, and incidentally with his dear
niece-if there is one"
"And where Is he TO sleep, John?"
Il don't think there is any neces-
sity for worrying about that until we
make up our minds whether we want
him or not. He may be quite impos-
sible"
IF he comes here, John, we are not
going to turn him from the door. And
/ feel sure he wouldn't have written
1aff 20 ha ~ e..
Wen keep him one night, anyway,
John"
"You'de all right, Clare" cried the
young husband. And II he doesn't
prove to be too long he can sleep in
long we will have to give him our
room and camp down in the hall bed
room ourselves"
Read the letter, John"
Sure. 1t isn't much TO look at,
but the spelling is fair and the writer
seems to understand how TO make
himself understood. Here goes MY
dear nephew John. You may have
some difficulty in recalling me, but |
am your great uncle, Byron Train.
the youngest of your great-grandfath-
er's sons. / want to come and see
you, John, and II you have a wife |
want to see her, too. I've been knock
ing around the earth for good many
years, and ! want to have n little
rest and get acquainted with my sur
yiving relatives. IL you can't keep
me over night, John, tell me so frank
ly. l know I'm not much to look at,
but I'm your great-uncle. and on your
dear mothers account-Bhe and
were playmates In our youthful days
| want 10 know you. I'll give you a
call, anyway, and then you can let me
know whether II is convenient or not
for me TO stay. SO expect me most
any time. Goodby until see you, and
my regards TO Mrs. John--if there Is
one"
Mrs. John smiled.
Not much OF an index TO his char
acter,' she said Nor does IL con-
jure upony picture OF the man. We
will have TO see him before we pass
judgment"
She was Interrupted by quick blast
from the speaking tube.
"Eh !" said John Holman. There's
the man now"
Good gracious :" cried Mrs. John
as she reached for wandering lock
OF hair
John looked around.
rs he welcome p
He is"
John picked up the tube.
"A gentleman TO see Mr.. Holman ?
Send him up"
Johns wife cast a hurried glance
about the room.
"lt's lucky his letter reached US
first" she said.
There is something In that" John
admitted.
muliled creak and rattle from
the hallway announced the stopping
OF the elevator. A moment later there
was light knock at the door.
"Sit down and try TO look uncon-
cerned," whispered John. Then he
opened the door and extended his
hand
But the man in the doorway failed
to notice this friendly overture. He
was a tall man, very erect, with
white mustache. and somewhat
flushed countenance. He was ire
proachably dressed and in his hand
he bore silk hat.
Il beg your pardon" he said, with
a slight inclination of his head Il
am looking for MIR. Holman, Mr.. John
Holman"
81 am Mr.. Holman" said John.
will you come in p
The tall man accepted the invita-
ton.
81 am Mr. Cuthbert Marsh" he said.
MY wife, Mr.. Marsh"
The tall man bowed little stiGiy.
II am sorry to trouble YOU" he
said, "but my errand will be brief
one. Thank you. / will not take
chair" He hesitated moment IL
have called to meet guest of yours,
Mr. Byron Train"
Mr.. Byron Train repeated John.
yes. Is he here ?"
NO" John replied.
Pardon me, but have you seen
him ?"
mo. / have never seen him"
Excuse my lnslstence You know
of his whereabouts ?"
Nothing whatever"
The tall man again hesitated.
Il am very sorry to have bothered
YOU" he said, 81 was led to believe
that Mr.. Train was here. Good even
ing, madam. Good evening, sir"
And the tall man backed gracefully
through the doorway.
John closed the door and put his
back against 1t.
What do you think Of that ?" he
gasped.
Il think we are, highly honored,"
Mrs. John replied Il only hope that
our neighbors across the hall saw the
aristocratic Mr.. Marsh when be dark
ened our portals"
BE serious, Glare What does that
old blue-blood want of our great un-
Gle p
You don't suppose, John, that he's
done anything ?"