The Nevada County picayune., 1911-01-06

but" Then the heavens opened and the floods descended
 "Oh, John!' she sobbed; how could you be so unkind, so cruel Think of it, a scandal on the very first day in my new home, and I was so happy!"
 would confess everything. There was no other way out of it. was on my knees by her side just about to blurt forth the awful truth when my courage failed and suddenly switched my bet and gave the cards another cut
 Its all a mistake" I whispered, tits only Bunch Jefferson doing a comedy scene. Don't you understand. dear; when Bunch tries to get funny all the undertakers have busy sea qan l simply don't know who he means by the two queens, and as for scandal, well, you know me, Pete!"
 threw out my chest and gave an imitation of St Anthony.
 You must know who he means she insisted. brightening a bit, how ever
 "Ah have it," I cried, brave-heart ed liar that was; he means my Aunt Eliza and her daughter Julia You remember Aunt Eliza, and Julia? ?'
 T never heard you speak of them before" she said, still unconvinced.
 Good reason, toe. for up to this aw. ful moment I never had an Aunt Eliza J,,Ii hr1t ,-alotivnc Tn1lGt be found to fit the emergency.
 "Oh you've forgotten, my dear," l said soothingly. Aunt Eliza and Julia are two of the best aunts ever had-er, I mean Aunt Eliza is the best cousin-well let it go at that! Bunch may have met them oh the street, you see, and they inquired for my address. Yes, that's it. Dear old Aunt Eliza,"
 "Is she very old?" Clara J. asked, willing to be convinced if l could de. liver the goods
 old I echoed. then suddenly re- membering Bunch's description; "oh. no; she's young widow, about twenty-eight or forty-one, somewhere along in there You'll like her i'm mensely, but hope she doesn't come out until We get settled in year os two
 Clara J dried her eyes, but I could see that she hadn't restored me to her confidence as a member i'll good stand ing
 She pleaded a headache and went away to her room, while l sat down with Bunch's telegram in my hands and tried to find even a cowpath through the woods.
 Uncle Peter came out, none the worse for his cold plunge.
 "Ah. my boy, isn't this delightful" he cried, drinking in the air "There's nothing like the country, I tell you, Look at that view, Isn't it grand John, to be frank with you, up until l saw this place l didn't have much faith in your ability as a business man, but now certainly admire your wisdom in selecting a spot like this what did it cost you?'
 Cost me! So far it had cost me an attack of nervous prostration, but couldn't tell him that. I hesitated for the simple reason that l hadn't the faintest idea what the place had cost Bunch. l had been too busy to ask him.
 Its all right, John." the old fellow went on; don't think me too inquisi- tive. rubberneck Is the root of all evil. It's only because I've been watching you rather closely since we came out here and you seem to be nervous about something. l had an idea maybe 1t took all your ready money to buy the place, and possibly you regret spending so much-but don't you do 1t, The best days work you ever did was when you bought this place."
 Yes. believe you!" I sighed, wear fly, as turned to look down the road.
 stiffened in the chair, for l saw my finish in the outward form of two women rapidly approaching the house,
 It's Bunch's sister and her daugh. ter" I moaned to myself Well. I'll be generous and let the blow fall first on Uncle Peter,' Accordingly, 1 made quick exit.
 In the kitchen I found Clara J.. her headache forgotten, busily preparing to ccok the dinner.
 She's foxy little bundle of peaches, that girl Is; and was wise to the fact that her suspicion factory was still working overtime, turning out mate rial for the undersigned.
 Her brain was busy running to the depot to meet the scandal Bunch's tel. egram hinted at. but she pretended to catch step and walk along with me.
 "Jshn." she said. "I certainly do hope your relatives won't come out for some little time. because we really aren't ready for visitors. now are we. dear?"
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