Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-25

afternoon, with the man TO whom
had given my whole heart beside me
and the uncle / dearly loved, given
back to us, as IL were. il only for a
little while. | did not talk much, Ii
was JOY enough 10 sit there and look
at them-at mother, with her pretty
serene face presiding contentedly over
her silver tray, troubled for the mo-
ment by no deeper care than that
each should have just the right
amout OF cream and sugar, just the
cake or biscuit that each liked; at
uncle Archie, from whose worn face
the shadowy cloud seemed for the mo-
ment to have passed away; and. last,
at Dick-my Dick, who was like
beam of glad sunshine in our midst.
Suddenly, when my contenlmen was
at its height, we heard the sound OF
carriage in the drive and a
smart ring at the bell. My mother
turned to me with look of dismay.
Irene, it is that horrid Mrs. Kny-
vette, i know! How unlucky-or
rather, how prying and impertinent of
her to come now-for OF course she
only wants to see your uncle and
Dick!n
II do not know how Mr.. Gerard
feels; but, after that delicious tea,
do not in the least mind being exhibit
ed; my nerves will stand any amount
of wear and tear" Dick declared gaily;
but | did not answer the smile with
which he turned to me: for, peeping
through the flower-screened window, |
had seen the carriage standing at the
door, and, for no particular reason,
the sight filled me with diSmay.
1T is not Mrs. knyvett!" | ex-
claimed, in doleful tone that made
mother stare. her first supposition be-
ing the most disconcerting that had
yet occurred TO her. 1T is the Hall
carriage, uncle Archie-it is Estelle."
Poor uncle Archie! IL there was
dismay in my face, there was absolute
CONSERVATION in his. | saw Dicks
eyebrows raised as he read the old
mans glance, and | knew that he
understood now, better than any words
of mine could tell him, the nature of
my poor uncle's mistake.
Naturally it was with marked curl
osity that he waited for the coming of
the visitor who had caused such a
fluttering in our dove-cote, and when
the tall, graceful woman walked easily
in, saluting mother with hand-shake
and me with kiss, there was an ex-
preston of amused disappointment in
the glance he flashed across at me.
''ls this your Gorgon-this the girl
you cannot possibly get on WITH" he
seemed 20 ask; and am sure Estelle
interpreted his look as | did; for her
brilliant face lighted up. while a we'll
pleased smile parted her mobile lips.
My uncle's wife looked more beauti-
full than ever, in a pretty dark-blue
dress that set off the brilliant clear
ness OF her skin, and her eyes shone
through the gauzy we'll she had drawn
over the upper half OF her face. She
sat talking easily and pleasantly to
Dick; and | soon found myself meanly
wishing that she were less beautiful.
or that he would not look at her with
that expression of curious, almost
troubled interest in his eyes.
The next moment | was blushing at
my own meanness. rating myself with
out mercy for what | felt to be a base
and contemplate jealousy; but let me
say or do what | would, the sharp
sting was there.
'Of course he is interested in her.
for uncle Archie's sake and mine.
Did he not tell me he would do his
best to find her charming, and is he
not keeping his wordP' | protested to
myself; and then ] glanced again at
them. and wished that face had al
lotted him more difficult task
TO BE CONTINUED.