The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-01-18
CHAPTER w.

CHAPTER w.
Mother kept her word, and, more
than that remained not only cheer
ful, but In state OF apparently
pleasureablc excitement all through
that evening and the next
day. Six o'clock was the time named
for the arrival OF Uncle Archie and
his wife; and half-past 1--WE found us
at the Hall. ready TO receive and do
all honor TO the homecoming pair.
The stately old house was looking
its very best, with its quaint gabled
roof, its red-brick, iyy-mantled walls,
and its diamond-paned easements.
The great door stood wide open, show
ing the entrance-hall with its sentinel
men In armour, It's carved oalSen cell
ing. and broad shallow stairs with the
famous carved balusters. IL was n IA
miliar picture. but one that never lost
its charm for mel loved the old
house SO dearly; and as | stood look
ing at IL then. began TO wonder how
IL would strike the young stranger.
and what sort OF woman she was who
would soon be installed as mistress
there.
IL was "A dangerous train OF thought,
and one did not care TO encourage.
| turned into the long drawing-room
and found mother anxiously consulting
the Sevres clock. which was solemnly
ticking away the seconds on the high
mantleboard.
al felt sure my watch was slow.
lrenel " she said, turning her flushed
face TO me at my entrance. The
time seems TO drag so! / wish they
would come--don't you?n
did, and said so very heartily; for
to wish them here was 20 wish the
meeting over; and 10 that first meeting
looked forward with distaste and dis
trust. twas rather absurd 10 look at
mother in her pretty cap and becom-
Ing black satin dress, with the ready
smile lowering about her lips and the
light OF pleased expectancy in her
eyes. and then remember all the pains
| had taken TO console and reconcile
her 10 the thought OF what actually
seemed TO please her to-day.
AT last. Just as the silyery chime OF
the timepiece told ms that it was six
o'clock, we heard the roll OF wheels In
the drive, and entered the hall just In
time TO see the carriage drive up 10
the door, and uncle Archie assist IA
lady TO alight-a tall, slender, fair
haired woman, OF whom one could
only see as yet that she wore IA close
fitting tailor-mado travelling dress,
had n gauzy veil about her face and
throat, and moved up the steps with
lang aid grace.
Al the first glance, thought unc.c
Archie looked even less like BRIDE
groom than | had imagined him; his
handsome face had worn, anxious,
haggard expression did not remem-
Der seeing there before; but | suppose
he had been a little anxious as 10 his
reception; for, as his eyes fell on
mothers pretty smiling face. with it's
look OF eager and ungrudging well
come. his own frightened ana he came
toward us with haste that left his
bride tagging several PAGES behind.
"Gertrude this Is kind-thisls good
OF you indeed!' he cried with grateful
fervor. II hardly expected this"
He broke of there; for the slender
graceful figure stood beside him now.
and little ripping silvery laugh
came from behind the misty veil.
Have you forgotten me. Archic?"
asked n clear, soprano voice. which.
In spite OF It's silvery tone. was mock
ing and nsympathetic- or so. at least.
II seemed TO my sensitive ears; but
i may have been wrong. for mother
still wore her pleasant welcoming
smile. and had evidently suffered no
repelent shock.
"Forgotten you? No" answered
Archie hurriedly. "Gertrudc. this Is
my wi'e--Es,clle. Estelle--Mrs. Wal
ter Gcrrard--and my.nlece Irene"
The veil was not raised; but the head