The Forrest City times., 1890-05-31
Uncle Archie's Wife.
CHAPTER III.-(CoNTrNuEp. }

OhAf fsR III. l.--tlpNTINDEb)
 Mother smiled, paid great attention to the measurement of her sugar and cream, then turned with polite inter- est to Miss Greene.
 II beg your pardon! You were say ing--Oh, yes-it is quite delightful to get out 10 see my friends again! But am afraid should hardly have found courage to venture so far to-day but for the fact that I must go much further tomorrow.
 You mean to the Hall?n queried Mrs. Marshall fixing her good -natur- eyes with vivid interest upon my mothers face.
 1 think Mrs. Marshall was one of the few people in Ludleigh who did not hope for an exciting feud between the Dower House and the Hall
 '.To the Hall, certainly. I should have preferred going to the station as compliment to my young sister-in- law; but. with my cold and the uncer- tainiy of trains, Irene thinks it better to wait at the Hall.n
 Irene, amazed at hearing her opinion glibly quoted on subject she had never discussed. wisely smiled acquiesenee. calmly left the matter from that moment in my mothers hands; since she had begun to fight the battle in such spirited fashion, there was no need for me to interfere
 'sOh, much better-much betterr' agreed ali the company present in chorus, and Mrs. Marshall put in IS solo
 We are so anxious to hear about the new Mrs. Gerrard. She ought to be perfection, you know, being bride of a man who has been bachelor for so long. You are not offended Mrs Gerrardp l am sure no one wishes tho dear Squire all happiness more sincerely than I; but one must have one's little joke--he--hei--and sixty five is u little late to marry,is It notPn
 ..Better late than never!h Mrs knyvett chimed in; and CIarissa Greene looked full approval of senti- ment she did not choose to echo with her lips. Il am quite convinced Mrs Archibald will be great addition to Ludleigh society. The Squire has in all things such excellent taste,a
 .'As he showed in his first choice. n observed Clarissa, with tittering smile. she could not restrain the nat nral impulse that prompted her to say Il spiteful thing about tho man who. having been free to choose and ex- posed to the full power of her fascina- tions for more years than she cared to count, had yet gone far afield to find a wife.
 But, if Clarissa Greene was spiteful. mother for once was more spiteful still She put down her cup. turned her eyes innocently on the old maid 's face, and murmured In her most dull eet tones--
 ''Oh. that sad old story But even there l believe his taste was unim- peachable. Of course, l never saw Miss Maxwell; but my husband al- ways spoke of her as singularly beautiful girl, Do youremember her, Miss Groene?n
 Even l felt the cruelty of this. Clarissa Greene owned 10 thirty at the very most, and propably was not quite ten years more; whereas uncle Archie $ lilting had occurred fully forty years ago. Miss Greene's face grew scarlet. her eyes filled with angry tears, and she tossed her head as she answered, with most hysterical and unmirthful laugh
 Really, Mrs. Gerard, you must be dreamingi How can l possibly re- member things that took place ages before l was hornan
 Mother could only murmur slight apology. which did nothing to heal the smarting wound and soon after she and l rose to go, leaving as rather ruefully felt, our characters behind us.
 Well, mother asked with a mali cious twinkle in her eyes, did rise to the occasion and assert myself sutii- ciently to-day, lrenean
 l could hardly help laughing at her tone of innocent triumph It was SO pleasant to see her looking her own bright cheerful sell again after tho doleful depression of the past few weeks.
 .lou were simply splendid; but just little savage. mother had no idea that you kept such reserve store of spite to draw upon at willl Poor Miss Greene shall not easily forget her face,N
 Miss Greene deserved u nunh, Y re- turned mother placidly. accepting my words much more as compliment than as n rehuke. Il am glad you persuaded mo 10 go to the Marshalls this afternoon, Irone IL Is well some times to see ourselves as others see Us. | did mean to be little stif and rigid toward Archie' wife; but II only to put Mrs. knyvc.t in the wrong. shall receive her with etIuslon and constitute myself hor warmest com panion now.