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

WOulQ muUCer 10 nlmS6lI: WE'VE not
seen the end of it yet, and though you
may snatch an Eyre out of the DEVILS
mouth once, Nick's safe to get him In
the lOng-run."
About this time Josephine would,
with locked doors at night, gloat over
certain trinkets and gewgaws that had
lately come into her possession, though
sometimes a shuddering thought of the
coin in which they were to be paid for,
would make her hide them even from
her own eyes.
Between the two women was no
spoken contract, but Josephine knew
how gradually, and in such a way as to
disarm suspicion, Hester was making
her arrangements to leave the village;
ITO Join her own people," she said, with
brightness on her face that seemed to
tell of the welcome with which they
would receive her.
The village opinion had veered round
toward her during the six months she
had dwelt among them; her utter in
difference to the effect her beauty pro-
duced upon the men, her acquaintance
with Frank limited to few words
spoken on both sides when by chance
they met, her passionate devotion to
Mr.. Eyre's child, that by some strange
thought) she believed to resemble her
drowned baby, had earned the respect
of more than one wife and mother,
though they wondered greatly that she
should willingly leave the boy in whose
very life she seemed bound up.
There were many prayers put up for
Madcap in the village at this time, the
chief being that a woman-child might
be born to her, and so win Mr.. Eyre, for
the first time, to love child of his own
for the sake of its resemblance to its
mother.
Il think if I'd got newborn baby
to lie in my arms" said Hester one day
in late October, when the gossips were
wondering what Yule-tide would bring
to the Red Hall, II could bear to let
one of the other ones go. Couldn't
your" she added suddenly to Bet of the
Mill.
81 don't know" said Betty rumina-
tingly, "you see, we grumble when they
are coming. and there's the pain; but
there amt true woman that hates the
child for that-and somehow, whether
it's Tommy or Polly or Mat or Bill, they
make their way to our hearts, and we
can't abide to lose 'em. even if the
Burial Club do pay up handsome, and
we have the satisfaction of knowing
they're comfortabler up top as cheru-
bins, where, having no stomachs, they
can't feel hungry-like, as they do more
or less down below. And what with
washing days, and a husband getting
tight most Saturday nights" she added
reflectively, 1.-THE chil'en gets poor
time Of it; but there, you've got the
mothers heart, and you understand"
she added, clutching Hester's unringed
hand with her own weather-beaten hon.
est one.
Early in November there was circu-
lated one day in the village a report of
Mrs. Eyre's sudden and premature i'll
ness. Hester was one of the first to
hear it, and scarcely waiting to cloak
herself, made her way to the Red Hall,
and unobserved las she thought) reach
ed the nursery by the door that led from
it to the garden.
1t was about three o'clock, and in the
clear autumnal air the house wore an
unwonted look of cheerfulness and
peace, so that on looking at it, one
noticed less the frown thrown from the
rock behind it, than the red banners
flung by the sun OH its many windows,
and so giving warmth to the otherwise
cold coloring of the facade.
us she dead" thought Hester, as she
turned the handle and went in, struck
by the quiet that reigned in the nurser-
les. AS she went forward, trembling
and afraid, she heard step behind her,
and turning, came face to face with Mr..
Eyre. who had seen her enter, and fol-
lowed.
She neither moved nor spoke, but
stood petrified image of detected guilt,
feeling that what she had periled her
soul, and her VOW to Madcap to win,
had escaped her.
What is your errand here?' he said,
his old suspicious returning in full force
as he marked each sign of guilty terror
written on her face, ''you are looking
for my wifeY" he said. quietly.
A sudden CLEAN shot across her feat
ures-he had suggested to her an idea,
and she boldly seized upon it as bull
wark behind which to shelter her real
intention.
why notp" she said, sullenly. "She
was kind to me. l have a mind to see
her-she wants to see me. Times and
times 1 have got out of her way; but
now. would like to have word with
her before it is too late: for she is i'll,
they say, and she might be beyond my
reach tomorrow. She isn't deadl" she
added, struck by the curious change
that had passed over Mr.. Eyre's face.
"DeadH' he repeated, the hatred of
his glance, the scorn of his voice, keen
rs the stab of knife to her heart; land
you living? But you tempt fate" he
added abruptly. II gave you your
warning once before; L give it to you
now again. Make one more effort to