The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-01-25
Uncle Arehie's Wife.

plying scrutiny AT last; Tor ne moved
more into the shadow. and said, with
restless and uneasy haste
1T was very good OF you two TO be
here to-day Your presence was a
great comfort 20 me. y
Then | am heartily glad we came''
mother cried, evidently trying TO pre-
vent the apology which she felt was
on his lips dear Archie, have you
not been always good 10 usP Why
should we show ourselves ungrateful
and unkind?r
He WINGED. as though the words,
spoken quite simply and good-nntur-
eddy though they We're, hurt him a
little. and went on in an eager nery-
GUS way
You have not been quite--quite
graciously received; but Estelle Is a
stranger among strangers. You will
make allowance for any popularity OF
manner, remembering that she per-
haps feels, as | do. little on her de-
fence.n
There was no resisting this appeal,
though | secretly thought that there
had been much more OF defiance than
defence In Mrs. Gerrard's tone.
brushed back the soft gray hair from
uncle Archlc's wrinkled forehead, and
kissed him aifectionatcly as / said
''Of course everything is strange
aud uncomfortable at present, uncle
Archie; bus we shall settle down and
be the best friends possible presently,
II only because we all love YOU"
He smiled very family and sadly, |
thought. and patted my hand.
"Yon are dear girl, Irene he be-
gan; but interrupted him gaily.
"Of course; but | am "a very curious
one, too; so please give me news in
stead OF compliments. l. my aunt
very handsomcpn
thought her beauty would be the
safest subject TO dilate upon; for she
had the air OF n beauty, even though
her face was yelled; but the subject
was scarcely such success as | had
expected. Uncle Archie looked more
puzzled than pleased, and there was
no sign OF the triumph OF a bridegroom
in his tone as he answered, after "A
moments hesitation
81 think she is. my dear-her fea.
lures and complexion arc excellent;
but. beauty is so much matter OF
opinion, perhaps | had better let you
Judge Estclle FOR yourself"
could not help CHANGING at mother
with feeling OF horror and dismay;
and read all my own trouble reflected
la her kind and gentle face. Already
uncle Arches marriage, from point
OF view with which our own interests
had nothing 10 do, was seeming 10 us
both grave mistake, and even more
than mistake--a mystery. II the
husband OF three or four weeks stand
ing had not even a good word for the
beauty OF his bride, what had been the
fascinating spell that caused him TO
change the purpose OF lifetime and
run all risks OF rdicule by posing as IA
reckless lover at his agep
II was painfully pulling question,
and one which time alone could
answer. | was glad TO hear mother
take up the conversation where | had
dropped IT, for sheer bewilderment
was making me blunder stupidity ut
every word / spoke.
- 'Estellern she repeated softly
"What pretty namel--all we know
OF her yet. by-the-way. Is Mrs. Ger
rard a foreigner. ArchicP There is
something French. think. in her
grace and her accent. or rather her
information, is there notPn
Uncle Archie pushed back the hair
from his forehead, and looked at us
both witha bewildercd stare.
"Something French? Yes, OF
course-she Is OF French decent he
said. In half-dazed way. Irene
Gertrude, surely told you who she is
and how -"
You told us nothing. You need
tell us nothing, Archie; | did not
mean TO cross-examine you
Mother spoke with certain amount
OF spirit and decision. really and fully
meaning what she said for she was
shocked at the idea of seeming TO pry
into matters that her brother-in-law
had u right TO keep secret II he chose.
II know know--and remember
now uncle Archie said impaticntly;
..but you must hear the story some
time. and as well no W as any other.
Gertrude. you have heard Walter
speak OF Violet MAXWELL"
Mother nodded assent, and | looked
ut my uncle's face wonderingly. half
diyining. with the quick instinct OF
sympathy, what was to come
.Well---" He hesitated, toyed ner-
vously with a paper-cutter on the ia
bio before him, and | saw dark red