The Forrest City times., 1890-06-28

when l had finished, he looked, l thought, even more troubled and pug zled than before.
 ..Violet Maxwoll's daughter-her life spent as schoolgirl and governess:" heard him mutter, even before he thanked me for taking tho trouble to enlighten him. "I cannot understand it! But, beg your pardon, Irene l have been worrying you with my curiosity and cross-questioning when you are tired out You do not look we'll, dear!'
 The softencd tone, the sudden con cern he showed. tried my nerves as his wounding indifference had failed to do. l was nearor to breaking down then than had been at any time dur | ing tho evening; but l shrank back into my corner and only said, with q tremulous laugh
 You are curious-and I am little tired. Perhaps we may as well let Mrs. Gerard and hor antecedents rest for tonight"
 | He frowned, as though my words 1 displeased him, and relapsod into a moody silence that lasted until the carriage stopped ut our door
 ''We shall see you early tomorrow Dick ?' mother questioned, waking up. quite brisk and bright after her refreshing nap. 'Yes; come to break last, my dear. l do not think Irene has been a very cheerful companion tonight. She must make you amends in the morning"
 l Dick glanced quickly and keenly at mo as stood shivcring and uncom- l fortable in the brightly-ligh,ed hall; but l could not second tho invitation with any cordialty, so said nothing; and, after hurried lcave-taking he went.
 Directly he had gone, mother began l to take me to task,
 '.What is tho matter with you, childpN she said quite grossly. as she followed me into tho room-the very room in which 1 had foolishly tried to measure the depth of my happiness that afternoon--only that afternoon. As l looked round, l thought that weeks and months of misery had pass ed since then,
 ..The matter? Nothingw I an- swered recklsssly. "Whyl do you ask?H
 "WhyP" mother echoed severely '.Because, if you arc not i'll, and if you have not quarrelled, you are treating Dick Martineau very qucerly; and, for that matter, his behavior is little less remarkable than your own. You two hardly spoke to or looked at each other all the evening; and when. thinking you had had litte ifr--as foolish young folk will---I gave you an opportunity of making friends on the drive home, you both threw it away, :"
 We talked then, mother,".l re- turned weakly. feeling my ears jingle as I discovered how much sharper my simple mother had been than 1 had given her credit for.
 s,Yes, you did talk she admitted scornfully talked of Mrs. Gerard. And pretty pair of young fools 1 thought you were' l tell you what it is. lreneH-suddenly placing hand on each of my shoulders, and forcing me to meet the kind eyes l that maternal affection and anxiety had made so wonder fully sbrewd--''you are a silly girl. and are doing your best to make yourself unhappy and scatter thorns in your own path. Dick Martineau loves you honestly and loyally, and has said so frankly like man, and yet you are miserable because you think he admires the face and voice of another woman--~and that woman your uncle's wife, There, there"--as broke down in a sudden outburst of passionate tears and hid my face upon her shoulder -''do nt cry so my dar- ling--or, rather, do cry--it will do you good! spoke harshly. l know; but at times one must be cruel to be kind; and you will soon and easily for give me for being Dicks advocate even against yourself"