The Forrest City times., 1890-06-07
uneIe nrek|o's WIie.
CHAPTER V.

OAxAA . A1As
 s.PerhAps he grew conscious of my pitying scrutiny at last; for he moved moro into the shadow, and said, with restless and uneasy haste
 .'It was very good of you two to be here to-day! Your presence was a great comfort to me"
 "Then l am heartily glad VIC camel" mother cried, evidently trying to pre- vent the apology which she felt was on his lips. '.Dear Archie, have you not been always good to us? Why should we show ourselves ungrateful and unkindP"
 He winccd, as though the words, spoken quite simply and good-natur- edly though they were, hurt him n little, and went on in an eager nerv- ous way
 "You have not boon quite--quite graciously received; but Estelle is a stranger among strangers. You will make allowance for any peculiarity Of manner, remembering that she per haps feels, as do, little on her de- fence."
 There was no resisting this appeal, though secretly thought that there had been much more of defiance than defence in Mrs. Gerrard's tone. l brushed back the soft gray hair from uncle Archie's wrinkled forehead, and kissed him affectionately as said
 ''Of course everything is strange and uncomfortable at present, uncle Archie; but we shall settle down and be tho best friends possible presently, if only because we all love you"
 He smiled very faintly and sadly, l thought. and pattod my hand.
 ..You are dear girl, Irene," he be- gan; but interrupted him gaily.
 ..Of course; but am very curious one, too; so please give me news in- stead of compliments. Is my aunt very handsomeP"
 thought her beauty would be the safest subject to dilate uponi for she had the air Of q beauty, even though her face was yelled; but the subject was scarcely such success as l had expected. Uncle Archie looked more puzzled than pleased, and there was no sign of the triumph of q bridegroom in his tone as he answered, after n moments hesitation
 Fl think she is, my dear-her fea- lures and complexion are cxcellent; but, beauty is so much matter of opinion, perhaps had better let you judge Estelle for yourself
 l could not help glancing at mother with feeling of horror and dismay; and read all my own trouble reflected in her kind and gentle faee. Already uncle Archie's marriage, from point of view with which our own interests had nothing to do, was seeming 10 us both a grave mistake, and even more than mistake--a mystery. If the husband of three or four weeks stand ing had not oven good word for the beauty of his bride, what had been the fascinating spell that caused him to change the purpose of a lifetime and run all risks Of ridicule by posing as a reckless lover at his age?
 It was painfully puzzling question, and one which time alone could answer. I was glad to hear mother take up the conversation where had dropped 1t, for sheer bewilderment was making me blunder stupidly at every word 1 spoke.
 .Estellenh she repeated softly. ..What pretty name.-all we know of her yet, by-the-way. Is Mrs. Ger rard foreigner, Archiep There is something French, I think, in her grace and her accent. or rather her intonation, is there notpa
 Uncle Archie pushed back the hair from his forehead, and looked ut us both with a bewildered stare.
 .'Something FrenchP Yes, of course--she is of French decent he said. in half-dazcd way. .'1rene- Gertrude, surely l told you who she is and how I---m
 You told us nothing. You need tell us nothing. Archie; I 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 right to keep secret if ho chose
 .'l know-I know-and remember now uncle Archie said impatiently; ..but you must hear the story some time, and as we'll no W as any other. Gertrude, you have heard Walter speak of Violet Maxwell?n
 Mother nodded assent, and l locked at my unclc's face wonderingly, half divining, with the quick instinct Of sympathy, what was to come.
 "Well--'lSIe hssitated. toyed ncr- vously with paper-cutter on the ta- ble before him, and saw a dark red flush, tho rare expression of emotion in an old man. stenl over his face and mount to the roots of his gray hair. .'Estelle Is. or was. Violet Estelle Egg erton--violet Maxwell's child.
 \ flood of light and comprehension seemed to pour in upon us with the utterance of those broken disconnected words. All that had puzzled and be- wildered us was clear now-~unclo Ar chic had bccn true to his one ideal, to the fatal love that had blighted his tattl ku1s anu EfGuttu nhtiy tV DFinI but little comfort 10 his later days Mothers face'tlushed with enthusiasm; once let hor feelings be touched, and my dear old mother was as enthusi- astic as u girl. She looked up at un- cle Archia. saying eagerly
 ..Dear Archie, I understand. You have renewed the romance Of your youth.
 Hut he interrupted her with pas sionate eagcr protest and look oi keenost pain.
 ..Not that--not thatw hc said, with bated breath. Fl cannot mako it all plain now. You must think me vain deluded old foolf'
 ssArchicpn
 ssfcs; what else can you--can tho world think mee But that does not matter, Gertrude" He paused again. in ssvix1ane}v trn,,hIaa shn,tsxtt s.Sasna