Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-11-15
Uncle Arches Wife.
CKAPTER VIIL-(CoNTINuEpA

without word from Dick. Even
mother lad ceased to wonder and eX-
claim each time the postman passed
our gate without a call. or called to
deliver letters that seemed only an in
suit and offence because they were not
from him. Dear mother, how good and
patient she was with me then! / know
how much IL cost her to subdue her
natural curiosity and ready indigna-
tion at anything that seemed like a
slight to her child. And was CRATE
full to her in my heart; but my nerves
were unsirung, and there were mo-
ments In which found the perpetual
pity Of her eyes harder to bear than
any spoken words could have been.
Once overheard her speaking in a
hurried, excited whisper to uncle
Archie, who was openly perplexed and
annoyed by my lovers mysterious dis
appearance, and her words made me
vince.
'.Do not speak to Irene about it
at least not yet" she said eagerly.
Things may come right, you know;
and then we should be sorry TO have
said anything against the young man,
though l admit his conduct seems
most unaccountable.
'.Most infamous. | call it," uncle
Archie cried angrily. The child
looks the picture OF misery! cannot
bear to meet those pretty proud eyes
of hers and think what she has to bear!
BY George, If | thought that fellow
meant to play fast and loose with
her.
Uncle Archie gripped his thick stick
and glared SO savagely that mother
started up in quick alarm, crying
feebly-
"Good gracious, Archie, do not take
things so seriously yet! Why should
we think the worst at once? And
drawing herself up with maternal
pride-'.why should we think that he,
or any man, would dare, or wish to
jilt Irene?"
'.Why?n uncle Archie echoed with
groan. You are too guileless for
this world. Gertrude, ii you do not see
and know. When this young man
asked our poor child to marry
him, she wa, the recognized heiress Of
the Hall Il prize IN ihe loarsest and
most mercenary sense OF the word;
''Archic!'
l stayed 10 hear no more. Nv
mothers indignant exclamation broke
the spell that had held me a motion
less listener until then, and / fed to
hide myself and struggle with this new
torturing doubt.
Was uncle Archie right? Was it
possible that Dick. who had seemed so
true and honest-who had declared,
with such apparent candor, that the
loss OF my prospective inheritance had
been clear gain 10 him, since it cleared
away barrier between us-was it
possible that Dick had been acting all
this time-that, even while he played
the part OF disinterested lover, he had
been secretly plotting and planning TO
obtain his release? If it were so, how
quickly | would set him free! But no,
i could not, and would not, entertain
that degrading thought even then. 1t
was no less painful to think that Dick
had been dazzled and led astray by
the spell OF an enchantress and had
fled from a temptation that he felt
himself powerless to resist; but it was
easier than to believe him base and
mercenary, an1 there was less of dis
loyalty in the thought.
Two more days passed. the END OF
the week had come, and l still knew
nothing OF my lovers movements. /
was standing at the gate resting my
hot and aching head against the rough
bark of the old tree that guarded our
path in sentry fashion and looking aim
lessly out upon the deserted high-road,
the sound of light quick footstep,
coming from the opposite direction to
that in which / gazed, and. looking
quickly round, found my face almost
touching Estelle Gerrard's.
1t was early morning still-not later
than eight o'clock-and ! should al
most as soon have expected to meet II
ghost Or goblin afoot in the fresh
morning air as my uncle :
that curious laugh OF hers,
that always suggeS' ed 10 me sllYery
peal of bells in which there Jared and
tangled one harsh noe, and said, with
airy pleasantly
; what a cruelty disappointed look
Do not kill me because / am not the
postman, child! / would act rs the
bearer Of good tidings If | could; but,
alas, through life that pleasant part
has rarely fallen to my share. Have
you no tidings of the absent swain.
Irene?"
Mocking as her words were, there
was fierce, eager expression in her
eyes as they searched my face with u
mercilessly close scrutiny. had been
indignant at first; but suddeply--and
unreasonably, as it seemed to mel
began to pity Estelle Gerard.
With the morning sunlight stream
ing full upon her, she looked utterly
different from the conquering triumph
ant beauty foHnd it so hard not to
hate. Beautiful she was still; but
some curious change had come over
her face and marred its brilliant