Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-07-05
Uncle Arches Wife.
CHAPTER vIIL-lCoNTrNuED,l


our gate without call, or called 10
deliver letters that seemed only an IN
suit and offence because they we're not
from him. Dear mother, how good and
patient she was with me then! know
how much il cost her 10 subdue her
natural curiosity and ready indigns-
tioa at anything that seemed ike q
slight 10 her child. And | was CRATE
ful TO her in my heart; but my nerves
were unstrung, and there were mo-
ments in which found the perpetual
pity Of her eyes harder 10 bear than
any spoken words could have been.
Once overheard her speaking IN
hurried, excited whisper 70 uncle
Archie, who was openly perplexed and
annoyed by my lovers mysterious dis
appearance, and her words made me
vince.
..Do not speak 10 Irene about il
at least not yet" she said eagerly.
Things may come right, you know;
and then We should be sorry 10 have
said anything against the young man,
though admit his conduct seems
most unaccountable."
Most infamous. l call it." uncle
Archie cried angrily. The child
looks the picture OF misery! l cannot
bear TO meet those pretty proud eyes
OF hers and think what she has 10 bear,
By George, if l thought that fellow
meant 10 play fast and loose with
her"
Uncle Archie gripped his thick stick
and glared so savagely that mother
started up in quick alarm, crying
feebly-
.sGoDd gracious, Archie, do not take
things 50 seriously yet! Why should
We think the worst at once? And
drawing herself up with maternal
pride-.swhy should We think that be,
Or any man, would dare, or wish 10
tilt Irene?N
'.Why?" uncle Archie echoed with
groan you are too guileless for
this world, Gertrude, II you do not see
and know. When this young man
asked our poor child 10 marry
him, she was the recognized heiress Of
the Hall-a prize in the coarsesi and
most mercenary sense OF the word
now
.Archie,r
l stayed to hear no more. Ny
mothers indignant exclamation broke
the spell that had held me a motion.
less listener until then. and / fled to
hide myself and struggle with this new
torturing doubt.
Was uncle Archie right? Was Il
possible that Dick. who had seemed 50
true and honest-who had declared.
with such apparent caador. that the
loss Of my prospective inheritance had
been clear gain TO him. since II cleared
away a barrier between us-was il
possible that Dick had been acting all
this time-that. even while he played
the part OF disinterested lover, he had
been secretly plotting and planning "a
obtain his release? lit we're so. how
quickly ! would set him free. But no,
could not, and would not, entertain
that degrading thought even then. /,
was no less painful TO think that Dick
had been dazzled and led astray BIS
the spell OF an enchantress and had
fed from a temptation that he fell
himself powerless TO resist; but Il was
easier than TO believe him base and
mercenary, and there was less OF dis
loyalty in the thought.
Two more days passed; the end o
the week had come. and | still knew
/ nothing Of my lovers movements.
/ was standing at the gate resting m,
hot and aching head against the rough
bark Of the old tree that guarded oul
/ path in sentry fashion and looking aim
lessly out upon the deserted high-road
when / was reused from my reverie b,
the sound OF light quick footstep
coming from the opposite direction /,
that in which gazed, and, lookins
/ quickly round, found my face almos
touching Estelle Gerrard's.
II was carly morning still-not late
than eight o'clock-and | should nj
most as soon have expected 10 meet
ghost or goblin afOot in the fresl
morning air as my uncle
beautiful wife. She laugbe,
that curious laugh OF hers
that always suggested to ne a silver,
peal Of bells in which there Jared An,
tangled one harsh note. and said. witt
airy pleasantly
What a cruelty disappointed lool,
Do not kill me because / am not N,
postman, child / would act as IN,
bearer Of good tidings If / could; but
alas, through life that pleasant par
has rarely fallen TO my share. Hav,
you no tidings Of the absent swain
Irenes"
| Mocking as her words we're. Their
was a fierce, eager expression in he
eyes as they searched my face with
mercllessly close scrutiny. had bee,
indignant al first; but suddenly--an,
unreasonably. as It seemed (, me
began TO pity Estelle Gerard
With the morning sunlight stream
ing full upon her, she locse6 utterl
different from thu conquert-f triumph
ant beauty foua3 1t 90 bsrs not 4
hate Beautiful she vs. C....,. bu
some curious change has {. ms owe
her face and marred sts brillian
bloom. She looked haggard. anxious
4 half alarrua7 and half deao-. "a