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

We'll, Irenep"
"Well, Dick?" l echoed. laughing
and blushing, as / looked into my
lovers face, and felt that, let the
changes around me be what they
might. was still the happiest girl in
the whole world while | had Dick 10
turn to in all my troubles-while our
love and trust in each other remained,
as they were then, absolute and COM
plete. Let them send your port
manteau. i thought we could walk
back, and then
And then you could explain the
somewhat imperative summons that
dragged me from my den," Dick
chimed in, a. he turned out of the
quaint little vine-grown wayside-sta-
ton into the shady lane. "Iou see
how obedient ! am, Mistress Irene"
Every obedient! But the summons
was uncle Archie's-not mine; he par
ticularly wishes 10 see you"
Dick nodded, but did not look at
me; for which | was thankful. as my
cheeks began to burn as that old sus-
picion of what uncle Archie might
have to say crossed my mind; but, if
my lover shared my fancy. he said
nothing about it, and presently
asked
We'll, what about the bride? AS
she has been here a couple of days,
you have completely summed her up
Of course"
Dick was joking, / knew; but
thought he could hardly have made a
worse shot than that.
.Indeed-no." | said. shaking my
head dolefully. Mrs. Gerard is "a
beautiful enigma. want to like
her-I try to like her; but somehow
cannot, Dick"
- If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, try again!
It's lesson you should heed
Try, try. try again "
Dick hummed. his eyes shining
mirthfully. Take the lessons of
your nurserydays to heart, Irene dar-
ling, and do not let frs failure dis
courage you! 1t would never do for
you and Mrs. Gerard TO be less than
friends.
Lightly as he spoke, i knew there
was sound sense in his words, and
meekly promised that no effort
should be wanting on my part TO bring
about the desired friendship
But" / said, "when you see Mrs.
Gerard. you will better understand
what uphill work it is. She is so
queer-so fitful in her manner; think
/ should have more hope of making
progress If she were consistently dis
agreeable; but she is not-she grows
quite friendly at times. For instance
on the first night they came home she
told me-unasked-the whole story Of
her life. You would have taken that
as proof of friendly feeling, would
you not?"
We'll. it looks rather like it, my
dear! You could not call her stiff or
stand -offish, at any rate"
"And yet, after that, she all but
turned us out Of the house."
Perhaps she thinks friendship and
ceremony ought not to go together"
suggested Dick drily. AT any rate,
you and will not, be easily discour-
aged, dear. i mean to find Mrs. Ger
rard charming il can"
We reached the house as he uttered
the last words with light laugh. AS
/ listened to him l felt strange fore
boding OF evil stealing over me which
| could not in any way account for.
We found mother in the drawing
room, ready TO welcome the traveller
with her kindest smi and that cup OF
afternoon tea which she firmly believ-
ed in as the best OF all restoratives. il
not az an absolute panacea for all
earthly ills.
"Most welcome, Dick!' she cried.
rising from her chair. and nearly over
turning her cherished egg-shell china
in her friendly haste. You know
Mr.. Gerard, do you not?'
And then | saw what | had not
before noticed in the darkened room
uncle Arehie's gray head and
kind. care-worn face behind my
mother.
The two men shook hands with n
heartiness that did me good TO see,
and "took" to each other unmistaka-
bly,. They had met before. but not
often, and there had been no common
interest to draw them together, but
now each studied the other keenly,
and each approved of what that study
revealed.
As for me. do not think I have
often been happier than / was that