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least, that’s as it was told me, Netty promptly went to the door.

“I am sorry, sir,’ she says, under her breath ; ‘my uncle is not so well to-night, and I’m afraid he can't sea you,’

"H’m!—that’s a pretty tale,’ says the steward. ‘So I've come all this way about this trampery little job for nothing!'

"'Oh no, sir—I hope not, says Netty. ‘I suppose the business of granting the new deed can be done just the same ?

“Done? Certainly not. He must pay the renewal money, and sign the parchment in my presence.’

“She looked dubious. ‘Uncle is so dreadful nervous about law business,’ says she, ‘that, as you know, he's put it off and put it off for years; and now to-day really I've feared it would verily drive him out of his mind. His poor three teeth quite chattered when I said to him that you would be here soon with the parchment writing. He always was afraid of agents, and folks that come for rent, and such like.’

“Poor old fellow—I’m sorry for him. Well, the thing can’t be done unless I see him and witness his signature,”

“Suppose, sir, that you see him sign, and be don’t see you looking at him? I'd soothe his nerves by saying you weren’t strict about the form of witnessing, and didn’t wish to come in. So that it was done in your bare presence it would be sufficient, would it not? As he’s such an old, shrinking, shivering man, it would be a great considerateness on your part if that would do.’

"'In my bare presence would do, of course—that's all I come for. But how can I be a witness without his seeing me ?

“' Why, in this way, sir; if you'll oblige me by just