Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-11-08

ing! | can tell it, / think, in her own
words, if you take so strong an inter-
est in it, Dick"
ii am interested strongly, as you
say, in it end her. Please tell me,
Irene!"
He spoke so simply and earnestly,
was so evidently intent only on hear
ing all he could about the woman who
had surely bewitched him, that
could have cried aloud in the bitter
ness of my despair. Surely Estelle
Gerard was destined to be the evil
genius of my life! had forgiven
fully and freely the unconscious wrong
she had done in robbing me of the in
heritance had been taught to look
upon as my birth frightened she add
to that wrong now by coming between
me and the man | loved.
Despite the anguish and bitterness
of my thoughts however, l had still
sufficient pride and self-control to obey
Dicks wish, and tell him the story of
] Estelle's past life--the curious ro-
nance of her marriage. He listened
with breathless eagerness that did
when l had finished, he looked,
thought, even more troubled and puz-
lied than before.
Violet Maxwell's daughter-her
life spent as schoolgirl and governess."
l heard him mutter, even before he
thanked me for taking the trouble TO
enlighten him. ii cannot understand
it! But, beg your pardon, Irene
l have been worrying you with my
curiosity and cross-questioning when
you are tired out You do not look
well, dear!"
The softened tone, the sudden con-
Germ he showed. tried my nerves as
his wounding Indifference had failed
to do. l was nearer TO breaking down
then than had been at any time dur
ing the evening; but shrank back
into my corner and only said, with IA
tremulous laugh
You are curious-and l am little
tired. Perhaps we may as well let
Mrs. Gerard and her antecedents
rest for tonight"
lie frowned, as though my words
displeased him, and relapsed into a
moody silence that lasted until the
carriage stopped at our door.
1--WE shall see you early tomorrow
Dick P'' mother questioned, waking
up. quite brisk and bright after her
refreshing nap. Yes; come TO break
fast, my dear. do not hink Irene
has been very cheerful companion
tonight. She must make you amends
in the morning"
Dick glanced quickly and keenly at
me as | stood shivering and uncom-
Portable in the brightly-lighted hall;
but | could not second the invitation
with any cordially, so | said nothing
and, after hurried leave-taking he
went.
Directly he had gone, mother began
to take me 10 task.
What is the matter with you,
child?n she said quite Grossly. as she
followed me into the room-the very
room in which had foolishly tried TO
measure the depth of my happiness
that afternoon-only that afternoon
As | looked round, | thought that
weeks and months of misery had pass
ed since then.
1.-The mat err? Nothing!" l an
swered recklessly. Why do you
ask?"
.Why?" mother echoed severely.
because. if you are not i'll, and if you
have not quarrelled, you are treating
Dick Martineau very queerly; and, for
that matter, his behavior is little less
remarkable than your own. You two
hardly spoke 10 or looked at each
other all the evening; and when,
thinking you had had little tiff-as
foolish young folk will gave you an
opportunity of making friends on the
drive home, you both threw it away"
I'VE talked then, mother" l re-
turned weakly, feeling my ears Jingle
as discovered how much sharper my
simple mother had been than | had
given her credit for.
Yes, you did talk" she admitted
talked of Mrs. Gerard!
And a pretty pair of young fools /
thought you were. / tell you what it
is. Irene'-suddenly placing hand
on each OF my shoulders, and forcing
me TO meet the kind eyes
that maternal affection and
anxiety had made so wonder
fully shrewd-"you are silly girl,
and are doing your best to make
yourself unhappy and scatter thorns
in your own path. Dick Martineau
loves you honestly and Loyalty, and
has said so frankly like "a man, and
yet you are miserable because you
think he admires the face and voice of
another woman-and that woman
your uncle's wife. There, there"-as
| broke down in a sudden outburst of
passionate tears and hid my face upon
her shoulder lido not cry so my dar-
ling-or, rather, do cry-it will do
you good! | spoke harshly, l know;
but at times one must be cruel TO be
kind: and you will soon and easily for
give me for being Dicks advocate even
against yourself"
CHAPTER VIII.
Mothers little lecture acted like a