The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-02-01

listened 10 him felt a strange FORE
boding OF evil stealing over me which
could not In any way account for.
We found mother In the drawing
room, ready TO welcome the traveller
with her kindest smile and that cup OF
afternoon tea which she firmly believ-
ed In as the best Of all restoratives, II
not as an absolute panacea for all
earthly Ills.
Most welcome. Dick!r she cried,
rising from hcrchair. and nearly over
turning her cherished egg-shell china
in her friendly haste. you know
Mr.. Gerard, do you not?"
And then | saw what / had not
before noticed In the darkened room
uncle Arches gray head and
kind. care-worn face behind my
mother.
The two men shook hands with a
heartiness that did me good To see.
and '.tookn to each other unmistalxa-
bly,. They had met before, but not
often, and there had been no common
interest 10 draw them together. but
now each studied the other keenly.
and each approved OF what that study
revealed.
AS for me, do not think / have
often been happier than / was that
afternoon, with the man TO whom !
had given my whole heart beside mo
and the uncle l dearly loved, given
back TO us, as 1t were, II only for
little while. / did not talk much, IL
was JOY enough 10 sit there and look
at them--at mother, with her pretty
serene face presiding contentedly over
her silver tray. troubled for the mo,
ment by no deeper care than that
each should have just the right
amout OF cream and sugar, just the
cake or biscuit that each liked; al
uncle Archie, from whose worn face
the shadowy cloud seemed for the mo-
ment TO have passed away; and. last.
at Dick-my Dick. who was like a
beam OF glad sunshine in our midst
Suddenly, when my contentment was
at its height, we heard the sound OF
carriage-wheels in the drive and
smart ring at the bell My mother
turned to me with look OF dismay.
"Irenc it is that horrid Mrs, Kny.
vette, / know How unlucky--or
rather, how prying and impertinent OF
her 10 come now-for OF course she
only wants to see your uncle and
Dicklm
II do not know how Mr.. Gerard
feels; but, after that delicious tea, j
do not in the least mind being exhibit
ed my nerves will stand any amount
of wear and tear" Dick declared gaily;
but did not answer the smile with
through the ilower-screcned window.
had seen the carriage standing at the
door, and. for no particular reason,
the sight filled me with dismay.
at Is not Mrs. Knyvett" | cx-
claimed, in doleful tone that made
mother stare, her first supposition be-
ing the most disconcerting that had
yet occurred 10 her. ut Is the Hall
carriage, uncle Archic-it Is Estelleh
Poor uncle Archie! II there was
dismay In my face, there was absolute
CONSERVATION in his. | saw Dicks
eyebrows raised as he read the old
mans glance, and knew that he
understood now, better than any words
OF mine could tell him, the nature OF
my poor uncle's mistake.
Naturally il was with marked curl
osity that he waited for the coming of
the visitor who had caused such n
futtering in our dove-cote, and when
the tall, graceful woman walked easily
in, saluting mother with n handshake
and me with kiss, there was an OK
preston OF amused disappointment in
the glance he flashed across at me.
lis this your Gorgon-this the girl
you cannot possibly get on WITH" he
seemed TO ask; and am sure Estelle
interpreted his look rs / did; for her
brilliant face lighted up, while we'll
pleased smile parted her mobile lips.
My uncles wife looked more beauti-
full than ever. In pretty dark-blue
dress that set Oft the brilliant clear
ness OF her skin, and her eyes shone
through the gauzy veil she had drawn
over the upper half OF her face. She
sat talking easily and pleasantly TO
Dick; and soon found myself meanly
wishing that she were less beautiful,
or that he would not look at her with
that expression OF curious. almost
troubled interest In his eyes.
The next moment ! was blushing at
my own meanness, rating myself with
out mercy for what felt 10 be base
and contemplate jealousy; but let me
say or do what | would, the sharp
sting was there.
''Of course he is interested In her,
n