to-day, and we've arranged a most delightful surprise for you!"

"What is it, another one of those parlor riots?" I asked, "If so, I
want to tell you right now that you couldn't surprise me if Uncle
Peter and Aunt Martha stepped out and did a song and dance in black
face."

Peaches laughed.

"Oh! that isn't it," she chuckled. "It has something to do with
the $5,000 you've saved."

"Oh! it has," I muttered faintly.

"Yes, Uncle Peter thinks we better not invest it in that house just
now," she went on. "He has a better plan. You are to give him the
money and he will invest it for you."

"Ah!" I said.

"But that isn't the real surprise," she cooed.

"It will do," I answered.

"Uncle Peter is so delighted that you have kept your promise to me
not to speculate any more that he has planned--oh! I nearly told,
and it's _such_ a secret!"

Then I went over into a corner and got busy with my thoughts.