The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-13


in future he must study her more care
fully than he had hitherto done. DOdy
knew better than to resist, but his lips
quivered, and look of despair came
into the little face.
''Seep wiz" mummy" he said i'm
plorlngly, as Josephine carried him
away, the contrast of his warm nest in
his mothers arms and the loneliness of
his little cold cot piercing him with
sense of loss and misery as he went.
But sooner than Dody dreamed OF
was he to be safe with his mother-tO
sleep, ay, and to awake with her, the
threads of their lives inwoven to all
eternity.
Don't look so sad" said Mr.. Eyre.
at theywent down stairs together. "ln
five minutes Dody will be safe again in
your arms-in dreamland."
I'VE have been holding dress re-
hearsal,' he added, as they entered the
drawing-room, and Frank rose to meet
them.
Mr.. Eyre led Madcap to her own chair,
brought footstool, arranged q screen
to guard her from draughts; but Frank
said nothing. He was looking at Mad
cap, and wondering at her beauty, till
catching that fixed look, she laughed,
and said he was as unappreciative OF
her diamonds as the children had been.
"A glow-worm will outshine them,"
said Mr.. Eyre. II saw three tonight,
tempted out in the belief that spring
had come again, l suppose.
That is very unusual, said Frank.
Where did you see them?"
I'm Synge Lane" said Mr.. Eyre care
lessly. and both Frank and Madcap
looked up suddenly; but Mr.. Eyre's
eyes were inscrutable, and told moth
ing.
Yet he seemed to be laboring under
strong nervous excitement, and pres
emily something occurred to cause
Frank the keenest anxiety. They were
crossing the hall to the dinng-room,
when Mr.. Eyre suddenly stopped, his
dilated eyes apparently fixed on some
thing in the distance.
"LookI" he exclaimed. IBID you see
that under the clock?"
They looked. but there was nothing.
Frank knew the legend. but Madcap
did not, that when death or misfortune
of any kind threatened the Eyres. the
uncouth figure of dwarf appeared for
few seconds to one of the family be-
meath the old clock on the stairs.
But in moment Mr.. Eyre had re-
covered himself. and led Madcap into
the beautifully lit room.
"See," he said, 1.-THE table is dressed
with as much care as YOU" And to her
surprise, she saw quantity of beauti-
full hot-house flowers heaped in the CEN
ter of the table, and a small choice bou-
quet laid beside each napkin.
Where could the gardener have got
them?" exclaimed Madcap. ''He had
not one in the place this morning, and
he will never beg any from the sur
| rounding houses"
"Oh, got them" said Mr.. Eyre care
lessly; that honest fool had nothing to
do with it. Try that wine, Frank; it
has been in the cellar over hundred
years. babe them bring it out tonight
in your honor"
Frank just tasted the wine, but he
was haunted by an uneasiness that Mr..
Eyre's every look and word tended to
confirm. .-.,-. .--.--
He knew how danger reused and ex-
cited this remarkable man, stimulating
his intellectual powers to extraordinary
brilliancy; and while Madcap laughed
in delight at her husbands spirits,
Frank felt more and more convinced
that something fresh had occurred with
regard to Hester.
mo, you are wrong" said Mr.. Eyre,
suddenly turning his keen eyes upon
u
have been known to walk in at an open
window, attracted by the light; and
moths, too, are often attracted to their
own destruction; but they do not kill,
they are usually killed."
Madcap looked from one to the other
at is nothing" said Mr.. Eyre, smil-
ing; lit is an old Jest, Madcap, yet all
tests must have an end. Your health;
and yours, Frank. May next year find
you both as handsome and as happy as
you are now" Bg-
"And you," cried Madcap. "What
of your, ,, ....,,.,., ,.,...
know. Madcap, always had q horror
of toasts of weddings, as well as Of
black Beetles" he added, laughing.
He kept his hand upon hers. talking
nonsense, until she had forgotten her
intention; then, Frank declining to take
any more wine, they went back to the
drawing room, where a cheerful wood
| fire burned, and seemed to invite their
company.
They drew round it, Madcap between
them; and never had an hour passed to
her more happily than with these two
beside her, whose love made such an
atmosphere of rest and content.
At half past ten Mr.. Eyre rose. II
must leave you. Madcap," he said, "but
not for lsng. Don't let Frank go until
come back. have work that must
be done tonight, and then-ay-then
"Then we will be happier than We
ever were before" cried Madcap; Twill
we not, Frankp"
You will be-" said Mr.. Eyre, with q
scarcely perceptible accent on the
you" And 1 shall be happy when
when"
He did not complete the sentence, bu,
smiled, then went into the library
They heard the key turn in the lock as
the door closed. f GHi
There are but a few pages to add to
his work." said Madcap, whose face had
Swallowed over at his departure; lit
will be his greatest" she added, with
womanly pride, then turned to the
piano; but recollecting that Mr.. Eyre
must not he disturhe1 closed It. and