Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-11
CHAPTER ".


his wife; and half-past five found us
at the Hall, ready to receive and do
all honor to the homecoming pair.
The stately old house was looking
its very best, with its quaint gabled
roof, its red-brick, ivymantled walls,
and its diamond-paned easements.
The great door stood wide open, show
ing the entrance-hall with its sentinel
men in armour, its carved oaken CELL
ing, and broad shallow stairs with the
famous carved balusters. 1t was ia
miliar picture, but one that never lost
its charm for me- loved the old
house so dearly; and, as l stood look
ing at it then. l began to wonder how
it would strike the young stranger
and what sort of woman she was who
would soon be installed as mistress
there.
1t was II dangerous train of thought,
and one l did not care TO encourage.
| turned into the long drawing-room.
and found mother anXiously consulting
the Sevres clock, which was solemnly
ticking away the seconds on the high
mantleboard.
81 felt sure my watch was slow,
Irene!" she said, turning her flushed
face to me at my entrance. The
time seems to drag so! l wish they
would come--don't youp"
did. and said so very heartily; for
to wish them here was TO wish the
meeting over; and to that first meeting
| looked forward with distaste and dis
trust. 1t was rather absurd to look at
mother in her pretty cap and becom-
ing black satin dress, with the ready
smile lowering about her lips and the
light OF pleased expectancy in her
eyes, and then remember all the pains
| had taken to console and reconcile
her to the thought of what actually
seemed to please her to-day.
AT last, Just as the silvery chime OF
the timepiece told us that it was six
o'clock. we heard the roll of wheels in
the drive, and entered the hall just in
time TO see the carriage drive up to
the door, and uncle Archie assist
lady to alight-a tall, slender, fair
haired woman, of whom one could
only see as yet that she wore a close
fitting tailor-made travelling dress,
had "A gauzy veil about her face and
throat, and moved up the steps with
langJid grace.
AT the first glance, thought uncle
Archie looked even less like bride
groom than | had imagined him; his
handsome face had a worn, anxious,
haggard expression did not remem-
Der seeing there before; but | suppose
he had been little anxious as TO his
receptions; for, as his eyes fell on
mothers pretty smiling face, with its
look of eager and ungrudging well
come, his own frightened and he came
toward us with a haste that left his
bride tagging several PAGES behind.
"Gertrude, this is kind-this is good
of you indeed"' he cried with grateful
fervor. Il hardly expected this"
He broke of there; for the slender
graceful figure stood beside him now,
and little ripping silvery laugh
came from behind the misty veil.
Have you forgotten me, ArchieP"
asked clear, soprano voice, which,
in spite OF its silvery tone, was mock
ing and unsympathetic-o or so. at least,
it seemed TO my sensitive ears; but
l may have been wrong. for mother
still wore her pleasant welcoming
smile, and had evidently suffered no
repellent shock.
"Forgotten you? No." answered
Archie hurriedly. Gertrude, this is
my wife-Estelle. Estelle-Mrs. Wal
ter Gerrard-and my niece Irene"
The veil was not raised; but the head
was bent most gracefully in ackn ow-
Judgement OF the introduction, and,
in answer to mothers forward move
ment, the yelled check was presented
for the proffered kiss and the clear
voice said languidly-
dear Mrs. Gerrard-dear Irene
you are very good! will thank you
presently; but | am so tired now
might l be taken TO my room?"
1t was a rebuff softly spoken. but
quite unmistakabe. saw the pretty
pink flush on mothers cheeks change
suddenly 10 scarlet; heard uncle
Arches short, impatient sigh; and
then | knew how fallacious all our
fondly nursed hopes had been-how
absurd was the magnanimous position
we had taken up.
One OF the servants came forward at
a sign from mother, to show Mrs. Ger
rard and her maid upstairs; but the
new mistress of the hall waved her
back, and said, with playful imperious-
ness, to the tall grey-haired man stand
inc in the background and looking
miserably aware OF the undignified
part he played
"No! Come. Archie, you can show
me to my rooms!" Then, turning to
us with sudden exaggerated gracious
movement. she added sweetly, 81 will
not say goodbye. Mrs. Walter. You
will stay and dine with us OF co9rse?"