The Forrest City times., 1890-07-05


 ed round the eurve of the road before 1 recovered myself.
 s'What does she mean ? Where can she be going at this hour of the morn ing ?" wondered, in dire perplexity, as walked slowly back 10 the house; but l could find no answer that was oven plausibly satisfactory, and mother gave me little help when l ap- pcaled to her.
 My dear Irene, how can we possi- bly, account for the eccentricities of your Uncle Archie's wife ?" she said, with that tone of asperity she always assumed now when she spoke of Es- telle Gerard Extraordinary? Of course 1t was Everything she does is ex rsordinary. Pray do not talk of her; you will spoil my breakfast ifyou do
 or corsc dropped the subject then, ard fell to thinking sadly of Dicks unaccountable and insulting silence. l had been patient so far, at least, as any outward display of feeling went-long enough; felt that some show Of dignity was necessary now. But how was that digfied resent mont to be shown !? There was some- thing iudicrous as well as unendurably painful, in the position in which l was placed since 1 knew neither the reason of my lover's prolonged ab- seuee nor even where he was.
 l WIS not destined to remain long in ignorance of Dicks whereabouts. l shall never forget the sharp and cruel pain felt when Mrs. Knyvett, who with Miss Clarissa Green paid us an extraordinarily early visit that morning, peered sharply into my face and said. with an acrid playfulness--
 '.Still pale and heavy-eyed, Miss Irene That is not right I was say ing to Clarissa, as we came along. We shall find the roses in full bloom again at tho Downer Hou SC now that the truant has come back "
 How hard 1t was to feel my face turn pale and rigid under the mali- cious scrutiny ot those eyes--how hard CT far to realise, in all it's crushing misery, he meaning of those words
 s.t'ome back 9f mother echoed. "'Who has come, Mrs. knyvett And why should Irene have more or less color Chan usual to-day P
 The two visitors smiled maliciously; then Miss Green said. with her usual simpcr-
 s.Dear Mrs. Gerard, it is only little innocent jo~e, or course we were speaking of Mr. Martineau's re- turn.
 Dick Martiueau " saw the colour rush to mothers cheeks; then she laughed, not very naturally, and added, with swift warning glance at me, ''0h, did you meet him at the station ? Irene was iazier than you: she does not like such early trains.
 "Such early trains P Mrs, Knyve,t echoed. with exaggerated perplexity: then her eyes seemed to sparkle with spiieful satisfaction. "Oh, dear Mrs. Gerrard. did not know he came early in the day : 1t was quite late-~what time should you say Clarissa p'
 .sfen minutes 10 nine. looked Ut my watch. Miss Greene answered with grim promptitude and with the satisfied air of one who has obtained corroborative evidence
 ''Yes.n Mrs. kuyvett went on: ..just about 3 o'clock last evening we met Mir. Martiueau walking with Mrs. Ger rard in the lane. of course we took it for granted that you and Irene were trffh k..e they were so absorbed in conversation that they did not even sec us pass. My dear Irene, you are ill"
 "No--no,H cried. passionately pushing away the false face that was bent in cruel mock sympathy above mel am quite well I~- Mother. there is uncle Archie in the path,''
 Hardiy knowing what did, con scious only Of frenzied longing to es- cape from the woman who exulted in my misery. l darted through the open window and down the path, and seized my unele's arm trembling so that l could hardly stand.
 He did not seem startled, and when looked in his face it might have been a reflection ol my own. it was so white and woe begonc and wild with red rimmed eyes and twitching, ashy lips.
 'Irene you knows' he gasped pitifully There is no need for me to spcak~io tell yon she has goner'
 ''She has gone. repeated blankly
 gone foreyerpN
 Yes--forever" he answered swift iy and tiereely, She has deceived me cruelty. Irene. Dick Mariineau has taken her away - lrenerf
 l heard no more, uttered broken cry and fell seEseless at my uncle's feet.