The Delta independent., 1910-06-03
proper for me to commit myself fur
thar ~

proper for me to commit myself fur
ther. Good-morning!"
And so." as Wilfrid ruefully told
Eunice that evening. Il came away
like the king of France, who marched
up the hill and down again, and got
nothing for my trouble"
Eunioe made him tell the story Of
the interview twice over. and then sat
quietly Illuminating. her forehead and
eyebrows puckered in puzzled frown.
1T must bel am sure of it. Wilf."
she exclaimed at length. THE ad-
vertisement has something to do with
that longlost uncle Andrew Of
yours!"
do you really think so?" said Wilt
obviously. why. all old Passavant's 8
talk was about mother; he only men-
toned uncle Andrew once"
You silly boy!" the girl exclaimed
with pretty petulance. giving him a
little push, that's the very thing that
makes me sure!"
Eunice Trevscca possessed what has
been called the ''leaping mind"
: So there was nothing for it but to
wait the week out with what patience
the trio could muster-for Eunice and
old Trevecca were equally interested
with Wilfrid. The time passed in all
sorts of feve-ish conjectures. and VIII,
1t must be confessed. was a somewhat
idle and careless apprentice all that
week.
Hence 1t was with a beating heart
and all sorts of nameless and formless
expectations that Stennis presented
himself in Temple court at the ap-
pointed hour one week later.
This time his reception was cor
diality itself. tempered with such
marked respect as to be positively en-
barrassing to a youngster SO inex-
perienced in the ways of the world.
There was third person present
also. introduced as Mr.. Phineas Car
boy. the senior member OF the firm.
Both partners impressively shook
hands with their visitor and were
quite deferential in manner. Mr.. Pas
savant's demeanor might even be de-
scribed as parentally affectionate.
Wilfrid sat on the edge of the prof
fered seat in some trepidation. and
lotubStu Ny Ddlltl
of four eyes and two pairs of eye
glasses. so respectfully solicitous was
the manner of his reception. Mr.. Pas
savant led on in one OF his pompously
rounded periods;
''It is a pleasure to renew the ac-
quaintance of so presentable a young
gentleman as yourself. Mr.. Stennis.
and to De the bearers OF what will,
am sure. be most grateful tidings. Not
the least item in our qualification con-
sists in the fact that you bear a most
dignified and euphonious name-one
eminently fitted to grace the good for
tune we are about to announce: VII
rid Stennis, Esquire'-ah," He rolled
out ;he full title in his best forensic
utnT er. and our unsophisticated VIII,
who was staggered by all this unex-
rected homage and nattery, hardly
recognized his own familiar appella-
ton.
Here Mr.. Carboy. with an impatient
cough, took up the tale. as though he
would say: I'VE have had the fancy
touches and the flummery: now let's
get down to business"
"The facts are briefly as follows.
Mr.. Stennis: This firm for many
years past has numbered among its
most valued clients your late la
mented maternal uncle, Mr.. Andrew
Meleen. whose reputation In the west
was largely merged in the town
named after him in the state OF Ne
vada"
Wilfrid could not repress gesture
of surprise at the mention of old An
drew's name. Eunice was right after
all.
Three months ago. Mr.. Stennis.
your uncle died. not very suddenly.
but full of years, and childless. He