Marble Hill press., 1890-02-13

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ity and frankness that it hardly
seemed difficult 10 answer and agree
with him.
"It is quite possible he may"
"And il he does? What shall you
answer, Irene. if he tells you ! am
fortune hunterp"
.Oh, Dick" exclaimed in passion
ate indignation. IL think you may
trust me to answer such charge a.
that"
.sTo answer? Yes. But will you
do more-will you help me 10 disap-
prove itp am not asking little
thing or putting your love to 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 l knew-knew that
there was no choice left for me to
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-I 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 sensible, practical fashion as
we strolled home 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 a duke would be
no more than your merits Miss
Gerard" he said with the affectionate
laughing 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 docs send in our
way. Mr.. Martineau, fortunately |
am lowly minded, and do not ask
much OF fate"
He laughed, and then rejoined more
earnestly
"After all, so long as we have fuith
in each other, nothing matters much.
We shall have tho bread and cheese
TO start with, dear; and afterwards
who knows?-all the prizes in my pro-
fession may fall TO my share; will
not despair of winning anything when
once | have won you"
His voice softened with inexpressi-
BILE pride and fondness as he uttered
the last word. We had reached our
garden gate then; and, as as walked
into the cool shady sitting-room where
mother sat placidly doing, with the
work-basket full OF colored silks be-
side her and the kitten comfortably
curled up in her lap, was blushing SO
vividly, and looking, am sure, SO
happy, that her suspicious were uwak-
ened at once.
'Irene and-and Mr.. Martineau!"
she cried, blinking at us as though
something in our appearance dazzled
her eyes. "Have you been walking
too fast. child, or-or is anything the
mat'er?"
"Neither,' answered Dick in his
usual mlrthful fashion, that did not
admit of fencing or delay. "Ircne
and | have some hing to tell you, Mrs.
Gerrard-or perhaps you guess?"
"IreneP" mother echoed, in half
Supplied tone, gazing in an odd mixture
of alarm and admiration at the bold
young stranger who made so free with
her daughters name.
"Yes, Irene-my Irene;" Dick an
swered, unabashed. .'She has given
herself to me, Mrs. Gerard; and you,
hope, will confirm the gift"
He seized her hand, looking so
eager and handsome that l knew
mother, il she had ever wavered,
would be completely won.
She looked at him and at me, shook
her head, sighed, smiled and said
"Since you seem to have settled
things between you, Mr.. Martineau, l
do not know that there is much left
for me TO say"
"Yes, you can make us both very
happy by saying just these few words
dick, can trust you with Irene;
make her as happy as she deserves to
be-"
And mother-bless her!--actually
did repeat the words he dictated a.
obediently as little child, and, when
she had finished, kissed us both, saying
fervently-
"You must not rob me of daugh-
ter, Dick; you must let me gain son.
Irene and have always been so much
10 each other, were so alone in the
world that Why, bless you,
child, I had forgotten!''
The last words were uttered In
changed and terror-stricken tone.
Mothers pretty face had lost all its
fresh color; her blue eyes wore an ex-
preston OF startled and conscious
guilt. I knew what turn her thoughts
had taken, and so did Dick; but we
both left the task Of explanation to
her.
"We had all forgotten your Uncle
Archie" she said, with pitcous sigh.
my dear Irene, how terribly impru-
dent we have been!"
LESS SO than you think, Mrs. Ger
rard, "Dick broke in cheerily. "Irene
and have already discussed MIR. Ger
rard's possible objection to me-"
"Irene's fate is In his hands,"
mother muttered dolefully; whereat
Dick and l exchanged glances, shook
my head in silent protest, and Dick
answered in q cheerful confident tone:
mot quite. think. But we will
not ride out to meet troubles. Mr..
Gerard may, after all, approved me,
and have faith 10 my future; or, II he
does not"
The sentence seemad f3niahad