The Osceola times., 1883-07-14
wretched IL YOU say a word"

have bit of enjoyment, and find you in
tears"
Eyes, yes, and it's all my nonsense
Frank, dear; There it's all gone now
It's the weather, think"
"Where's John?"
Either in the stable, or down the
garden, dear. I'll send for him."
"Oh. I'll go and look him up. / sup.
pose he'll be glad to bee me?"
"Why, of course, dear. He has been
talking about nothing else since he
heard you were coming, and making nc
end of plans"
All, that's right" said Frank Reston
smiling.
"And I'm 80 glad you've come, Frank
dear. You see, Pm afraid I'm not much
of company for dear John-not such
good company as-as ! think his first
wife was"
"Well. you're a deal better company
than she is now"
"I'll try very hard TO take an interest
in his pursuits but Pm so stupid, Frank
that I'm afraid he gets out of patience
=="Ill tell you what il is, Lesby," said
Frank Rcston bluntly; "if you two peo'
pie can't be happy in this glorious place
with every luxury around you, and only
TO speak to whatever you please, you
deserve-yo IL deserve-there / DOM
know what you don't deserve!
"Yes, dear. we do,' said the lady
meekly. "Ah, here comes dear John
I'll run away don't tell him I'ye been
crying
"Stuf. Is 1t likely?"
"And pray, pray, Frank, don't let him
think that ha We been murmuring. II
would make him so unhappy"
As she spoke she ran off, and
Frank Reston crossed the hall to meet
his stalwart brother-in-law, who looked
the beau ideal of country gentleman
and striking contrast to the pale, care
worn student, fresh from his gloomy
chambers in town.
"Ah, Frank, my dear hoy, | an
glad to see you. Why, you pale, bleach.
ed bookworm-here, come out i'm the
open air, and let's get some color in youl
cheeks. Come and have a look at the
dogs"
They went and had look at the
splendid settlers and retrievers in theil
kennels, and as Reston admired them
"An," said Audas, ''if my first wife
had been alive, how she would have
idolized those dogs"
"Better have idoized you," said Res.
ton, bluntly.
"Yes of course" said Audas, in no
wise appeased. "We'll have a grand
ride or two while you are here. Come
over to the stables. I've got mare that
will suit you to T. There" he said, as
he patted first one and then another
satin-skinned beauty, as it turned its
head round with a rattle of the head
stall for the expected bit of sweet carrot
or cake; "they're right, aren't they? All
if my first wife had been alive, she would
have loved few galops over some o
the woods"
"Humph would she? ?" said Reston.
"Yes; she was splendid woman on
horseback. Well, come in now and
dress, and let's get to dinner"
"Well, shan't be sorry to have it,
said the London guest and, with his
brothcr-in-laws hand afiectionately rest
ing upon his shoulder, they went in
and in due time dined.
But somehow, that was not so pleas
ant a meal as it might have been, and
the acute barrister was not long in find
ing that the grit that showed itself in the
in the cooking, the acidity in the wine
and the jar in the conversation, was al
due to one thing, which found voice in
the words, "Ah, if my first wife," etc.
Jack loves her." said Frank Restor
to himself, as he lay in bed that night
'she worships him, and they are moi
happy, Jack Audas is good fellow but
not over-wise. Lesby is the mosl ami
BILE little darling that ever breathed
and vet they don't seem as they should
be. Hang his first wife Humphl vel
no; she's deceased. What fool the
man is to poison his cup of happiness
like thisl BY Jove what a good thing il
would be If Iesby had dangerous fit OF
sickness; it would bring Jack to his
senses, and-heigh, ha, ha, hum, how
sleepy am-and-
That was all, for he dropped off tc
sleep at once. But he had similar
thoughts to these every night during his
stay, and again on his way back to Lon
don, after doubling the length of hii
visit, and even then his brother-in-lav
being half offended because he woult
not, as Audas said, make it few NOR,
days"
"If my first wife had been alive 1
my first wife had been alivew the yer,
beat of the train seemed to pour thos,
words in Frank Reston's ears as he spec
south, and thought over the matrimonial
situation at the Coppices.
"Poor little Lesby He'll break he
heart" he said to himself 81 do no
wonder at it. She feels jealously miser
able about that first wife. wish now
had not spoken to Jack.'
"No, | DON'T" he said after littl,
more thinking, ''it would not have beer
WISE"
perhaps something may happen t.
bring him to his senses" he said, afte
another pause: something always doe
happen"