AN UNSATISFACTORY CONFERENCE.
Mr. Carter was taking articles from a bureau and packing them away in an open trunk, when Mrs. Pitkin entered with Alonzo. It is needless to say that his niece regarded his employment with dismay, for it showed clearly that he proposed to leave the shelter of her roof.
“Uncle Oliver!” she exclaimed, sinking into a chair and gazing at the old gentleman spell-bound.
Mr. Carter, whose back had been turned, turned about and faced his niece.
“Oh, it is you, Lavinia!” he said quietly.
“What are you doing?” asked his niece.
“As you see, I am packing my trunk.”
“Do you intend to leave us?” faltered Mrs. Pitkin.
“I think it will be well for me to make a change,” said Mr. Carter.
“This is, indeed, a sad surprise,” said Mrs Pitkin mournfully. “When did you return from Florida?”