Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-09-27

true hearted Irene. But there is
something of that in your thoughts,
| is there notp"
Perhaps" / admitted meekly.
"Uncle Archie has been so good TO us,
Dick; he has filled my fathers place,
and has almost my fathers right to
! to-
$40 approve or condemn your
choiceP i grant all that. dear, but
even from his verdict there is a last
appeal TO yourself. You are the one
judge here, Irene. You think your
uncle will object TO me-that he will
think me too poor a man to marry
the heiress Of Ludleigh Hallp"
lie stated the case as against him
self and me with such perfect simple
ity and frankness that it hardly
seemed difficult to answer and agree
with him.
at is quite possible he may"
"And il he doesp What shall YOU
answer, Irene, if he tells you am
fortune hunter?"
"Oh. Dick" l exclaimed in passion
ate Indignation, II think you may
trust me TO answer such a charge as
that"
"To answer? Yes. But will you
do more-will you help me TO disap-
prove itg / am not asking little
thing or putting your love to a light
test; but you and / must understand
each other once for all. Suppose
your uncle bids you choose between
Ludleigh Hall and me-what answer
will you give him then. Irene?"
My heart beat so violently for few
minutes that felt quite confused and
giddy; and then | knew-knew that
there was no choice left for me 10
make. 1t would cost me cruel pang
for me to give up that life long dream
of reigning at Ludleigh Hall; but TO
give up Dick would sooner give up
life itself.
With laughing cry Iput my hands
upon my lovers breast and raised my
lips to his; and Dick took the answer
from them, though | did not speak
word.
After that we talked the matter
over in a sensible. practical fashion as
we strolled homo together. Having
put the possible worst before me in
the strongest and most convincing
way, Dick was disposed 10 take rather
optimist views of our position and
Uncle Archie's probable behavior
towards us.
Il quite agree that duke would be
mo more than your merits, Miss
Gerard" he said with the affectionate
glance found it so hard and
yet so swee. to meet; ..but, unluckily.
dukes do not abound in this corner of |
the world, and So"
And we must not put up with such |
small deer as fortune does send in our |
way. Mr.. Martineau. fortunately | |
am lowly minded, and do not ask |
much OF fate"
He laughed, and then rejoned more
after all, so long as we have faith
n each other, nothing matters much.
We shall have the bread and cheese
% start with, dear and afterwards
who knows?-all the prizes in my pro-
'ession may fall TO my share; / will
lot despair of winning anything when
)nce | have won YOU"
His voice softened with inexpressi-
de pride and fondness as he uttered
he last word. We had reached our
garden gate hen; and. as as walked
nto the cool shady sitting-room where
mother sat placidly doing, with the
york. basket full o. colored silks be-
ide her and the kitten comfortably
urled up in her lap, was blushing so
'ividly. and looking. am sure, so
lappy, that her suspicious were awak-
ned at once.
Irene and-and Mr.. Martineau."
he cried, blinking at us as though
omething in our appearance dazzled
er eyes. Have you been walking
90 fast, child, orr is anything the
nat, err"
Neither" answered Dick in his
sual mlrthful fashion, that did not
Omit Of fencing or delay Irene
nd have some hing to tell you, Mrs.
ierrard-or perhaps you guess?n
"lrene?" mother echoed, in half
tupified tone, gazing in an odd mixture
alarm and admiration at the bold
Dung stranger who made so free with I,
er daughters name.
'Nes, lrene-my Irene;" Dick an
wered, unabashed. "She has given
erself to me, Mrs. Gerard; and you, !
hope, will confirm the gift"
He seized her hand, looking so /
iger and handsome that | knew !,
lother, If she had ever wavered,
ould be completely won. ,
She looked ut him and at me, shook Il
pr head, sighed, smiled and said
"Since you seem to have settled =
liugs between you, Mr.. Martineau, / IL
not know that there is much left
r me 10 say d
"fes. you can make us both'very Y
,ppy by saying just these few words ="
Dick, can trust you with Irene; y
axe her as happy as she deserves to .
-" Al
And mother-bless her!--actually
d repeat the words he dictated a.
as "a little child, and, when
e had finished, kissed us both, SAYING NJ
rvently-- =,