Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-05-17
Uncle Arches Wife.
CHAPTER II.

My mothers story made q great
impression on me; and from that time
two ideas were clearly fixed in my
mind one that uncle Archie VAS q
much more interesting person than l
had hitherto thought him; the other
that at some, hoped distant, day /,
Irene Gerard, should surely be mis-
tress of the grand old house that |
loved very honestly and sincerely on
its own merits alone.
l will do myself the justice to say
that kept the last idea as much as
possible in the back ground OF my
thoughts, and never allowed
even mother to discuss my
future greatness with me; but
aevertheless the thought of 1t
.olored my whole life, and, when Dick
Martineau asked me to marry him
which he did quite suddenly at a
tennis party one day-I-wetl, when
had ceased to feel dazzled and confus-
ed and taken by storm, and quite alb
surdly happy began to think OF
uncle Archie, and to wonder what he
would say to such a match for the last
of the Gerrards-for every one In
Ludleigh knew that Dick was as poor
as he was good looking.
suppose my troubled thoughts
were expressed pretty plainly in my
face; for Dick said suddenly, in tone
of anxiety that was in striking con-
trast to the happy laugh in his blue
eyes
care you repenting already. thai
you look so portentously grave, Mis-
Irene Gerard? Do you wish to with
draw that sweet little admission I ex
tracted just now, and substitute ;
cool, oh, il you please, sir, it was al
a mistake-I rather dislike you thar
not. p"
laughed outright at this, though
my cheeks grew hot under the tender
triumph of his gaze.
'sYou are talking nonsense now,
said, shaking my head ruefully
4'You know l like you, Mr.. Martin
eau"
He barred his sunny head, gave
sweeping bow, and interrupted m'
there.
You are too good, Miss Gerard
Believe me, reciprocate the feeling
with mock fervor and theatrical EN-
phasis, for which he deserved to hav
his ears boxed at least; and suppos
he thought so himself presently, for
when he found / did not speak, h
came little nearer, and said in hi
softest and most persuasive tone
''Haye offended you, Irene? Or
it possible, my darling, that that mon
strous supposition is founded on fac
that you really wish to unsay tn
words that made me so happy jus
now?n
''No, no! Oh, Dick, you know il
not that!' answered, half laughing
half crying in my wild hysterics
alarm; for. soft as his voice was, ther
was an expression of sternness in hi
eves-for good or i'll, Dick Martinez
was a strong man, not TO b
triied or dealt lightly with in an
way.
4'What is it then, lrene?"-seizin
my hands and forcing me to meet b
earnest, steadfast gaze. ''Do 20
think Mrs. Gerard will obiect-wi
refuse to give you to me?f
mo; mother likes you 80 much
am sure she will be glad,n answe
ed shyly, but with absolute sincerity
and Dick drew me to him with cor
tented laugh.
Then, If you and Mrs. Gerard al
on my side, there is no one else I
fear. IreneP"
"Oh, yes, there is-uucle Archi'
He has such strange ideas"
II know he is confirmed woman
hater," Dick broke in mirthfull,
but will he insist on your turnin
man-hater to keep him compan.
Irene?"
s.No, no-you do not understand
I replied, little fretfully; and Dick
lone changed at once. He claspe
my hands firmly and looked steadi
and keenly at my face.
perhaps do, Irene. Shall sta
the case from your point of view
Your uncle Archie is very rich m;
and you are his heiress, If he choo
TO make you so.n
"Dick," interrupted eagerly, I
oil at once seemed TO see my on
thoughts and actions In a new al
,despicable light .'Dick, you al
cruel! II is not that-not only that
III know it is not only that, n
dear he answered, with a sudd
Tightening pressure OF his strong XIII
Lands. III IL were, you would not