The Forrest City times., 1890-05-17

youf utScic utu1 Nou thoVSt uctWctH Ludleigh Hall and mo-what answer will you give him then, Irenep"
 My heart beat SO violently for few minutes that felt quite confused and giddy; and then l knew-knew that there was no choice left for me 10 make. It would cost me q cruel pang for me to give up that life long dream of reigning at Ludleigh Hall; but to give up Dick--l would sooner give up life itself.
 With n laughing cry I put my hands upon my lovers breast and raised my lips to his; and Dick took the answer from them, though 1 did not speak word
 After that We talked the matter over in a sensible, practical fashion as we strolled home together. Having put the possible worst before mo in the strongest and most convincing way, Dick was disposed to take rather optimist views of our position and Uncle Arcbie's probable behavior towards us
 II quite agree that duke would be no more than your merits. Miss Gerard, lie said with the affestiouate laughing glance 1 found it SO hard and yet so swee to meet; but. unluckily. dukes do not abound h this corner of the world and so N
 And we must not put up with such small deer as fortune does send in our way Mir. Martineau fortunately am lowly minded, and do not ask much Of fate.'
 He laughed, and then re,oined more earnestly
 After all. so long as we have faith in each other, nohing matters mach. We shall have the bread and cheese to start with, dear; and afterwards who lnowsg-all tho pri in my pro fession may lall to my share; 1 will not despair of winning anything when once have won you.
 His voice sofened with iuexpressi- ble pride and londnoss es he uttered the last word. We had reached our garden gate hen; and, as ns walked into the cool shady sitting-room where mother sat plaeidlg do ing, with the ork-basSet full 0 colorcd silks be- side her and the kitten comfortably curlcd in her lao. was blushiue so viyidly, and looking 1 am sure, so happy, that her suspicious were awat- ened at once.
 'Ireue and Mr. Martinoaun she cried. blinking at Us IS though something in our appearance dazzled her eyes, 'l,age you been walking too fast, child, or--or Is anything the mat'erpA
 Neither answered Dick in his usual mlrthiul fashion. thas did uot admit of fencing or doiay. "Ircne aud have some hing to tell you. Mrs. Gerrard-or perhaps yuo guess2"
 "lrene?a mother echoed. in D half supplied tone, ggs ing man odd mixture Of alarm and admiration at the bold young stranger who nude so free with her daughters name
 eles, Irene my lrene;7 Dick an swered, unatashed .>ho has given herselfto me. Mrs. Gerard; and you. 1 hope, wi(l conarm the gift
 He seized her hand, locking so eager and handsome that l knew mother. f she had eKcr wavercd. would ho completely won.
 She looked at him ans at mo, shook hor head, sighed, smiled and said
 'S!nee you seem to haye ettled things between you, Mir Mas3ineau. do not know that there is much !efg for mo 10 say.
 lies you can mako u- both very happy by saying just ihese few words
 Dick. can trust you with Irene; make her as happy as she deserves to be- 2"
 And mothor -bless actually did repeat the words be dictated as obedicntly us a llttlo child, and. when she had finished, kissed us both, saying fcrvently
 "You must not rob me Of daugh- ter. Dick, you must It me gain son. Ireno aud have always been SO much to each other. we're SO alone in the world that Why, bes- you, child, had forgoten,N
 The last words were uttered in a changed and terror stricken tone. Mothers pretty facc had lost ail it's fresh color; her blue eyes wore an eN- pressson oH startled and conscious guilt, l kncw what turn her thoughts had taken. and so did Dick; but We both left the task oF explanation to her.
 .ANe had all forgotten your Uncle Archie, she said, with piteous sigh My dear Irene how terribly impru- dent we have bcen'N
 Less so than you think, Mrs. Cor rard Dick broke in cheerily. sIrcne and have already discus el Mr. Ger rard $ possible objection to me.
 'Ircno's fate is iu his hands, mother muttored dole'ully; whereat Dick and exchanged glanges. shook my hoad in silent protest, and Dick answered in D cheerful confident tone
 Not quite, l think. But we win not ride out 10 meet troubles. Mr Gerard may, after all, approveoi me. and have faith in my future; or, f he does not -
 The sentence seemed finished, though he said no more than that and We soon fell to talking of other things 10 as easy, coy and comfortable manner as though we three--mothor, he and l-had occupied our present positions 10 cach other for years rath- or than hours
 We agreed on many things before we parted that night-among others, that Dick should write to uncle Archie, who was then at Paris, telling him the whole story of our engagement frank ly and at once.
 ''l know he will ho veXcd Irene, said mother, with whisper, after Dick had gone. '-It is most impru- dent marriage. look at 1t how you will As a friend, Mir Marlineam is worry charming young man oh, lhank you, my dear; know how much that kiss Is worthi but let me finish my sentence plaase'as n friend. Dick Aiartineau