The Forrest City times., 1890-07-05
Uncle Archie's Wife.
CHATTER VIII. -fCovrrNurp.,

claim each time the postman passed our gate without call, or called to deliver letters that seemed only an in suit and offence because they were not from him, Dear mother. how good and patient she was with mo then! 1 know how much 1t cost her to subdne her natural curiosity and ready indigna- tion at anything that seemed like a slight to her child. And l was grate- full to her in my heart; but my nerves were unslrung and there were mo- ments in which founl the perpetual pity of her eyes harder to bear than any spoken words could have been.
 Onco l overheard her speaking in a hurried, excited whisper to unclo Archie, who was openly perplcxcd and annoyed by my lovers mysterious dis appearance and her words made me vince.
 ..Do not speak to Trene about it. at Feast not yet. sho said eagerly. "Things may come right, you know; and then we should be sorry 10 hayc said anything against the young man, though l admit his conduct seems most unaccounlable."
 '.NIost infamous, l call it,n nnele Archie cried angrily. "The child looks the picture Of misery. I cannot bear to meet those pretty proud eyes of hers and think what she has to bear! By George. if l thought that fellow meant to play fast and loose with
 Uncle Archie gripped his thick stick and glared so savagely that mother started up in quick alarm, crying fcebly---
 ..Good gracious. Archie, do not take things so seriously yet Why should we think the worst at once9 Andn-- drawing herself up with maternal pride-s.why should we think that he. or any man, would dare, or wish to jilt lrene?n
 s'WhyP" uncle Archie echoed with a groan. "lou arc too guileless for this world, Gertrude, if you dc not see and know. When this young man asked our poor child to marry him, she was the recognized hciress of tho Hall -- a prize in the coarsest and most mercenary sense of the word; now"
 '.Archie,r
 stayed to hear no more My mothers indignant exclamation broke the spell that had held me motion less listener until then, and l fed to hide myself and struggle with this new torturing doubt.
 Was uncle Archie righto Was it possible that Dick, who had seemed so true and honest-who had declared, with such apparent candor, that the loss of my prospective inheritance had been clear gain to him, since it cleared away barrier between us--was it possible that Dick had been acting all this time--that, even while he played the part or disinterested lover, he had been secretly plotting and planning to obtain his releasep fiji were so, how quickly would set him free. But no, l could not, and would not. entertain that degrading thought even then. It was no less painful to think that Dick had been dazzled and led astray by the spell of an enchantress and had lied from temptation that be felt himself powcrless to resist; but it WIS easier than to believe him base and mercenary, and there was less of dis loyalty in the thought.
 Two more days passed; the end of the week had come. and l still knew nothing of my lover's movements l was standing at the gate resting my hot and aching head against the rough bark of the old tree that guarded our path in sentry fashion and looking aim lessly out upon the deserted high road, when l was reused from my reverie by the sound of light quick footstep. coming from the opposite direction to that in which l gazed. and, looking quickly round, found my face almost touching Estelie Gerrard's.
 It was early morning still-~not later than eight o'clock--and l should al- most as soon have expected to meet a ghost or goblin afoot in the fresh morning air as my unele's beautiful wife. She laughed that curious laugh of hers, that always suggested to me silvery peal of bells in which there jared and tangled one harsh note, and said, with airy pleasantry-
 What a cruelty disappointed look, Do not kill me because 1 am not the postman, child! l would act us the bearer of good tidings if could; but, alas, through life that pleasant part has rarely fallen to my share. Have you no tidings of the absent swain, lrenean
 Mocking as her words were, there was fierce, eager expression in her eyes us they searched my face with a merciiessly close scrutiny. had been indignant at first; but suddenly--and unreasonably, as 1t seemed to mel began to pity Estelle Gerard.
 With the morning sunlight stream ing full upon her, she looked utterly different from theconqucring triumph ant beauty found it so hard not 10 hate. Beautiful she was still; but some curious change had come over her face and marred its brilliant bloom. She looked haggard. anxious. half alarmed and half defiant, and al most, as thought old.
 twill you come inp'' I asked irnor- ing her tauntng words.
 "No. no, she answered inpatient ly; ''I have business, as you may guess by my being out So early business that will hardly wait. did not moan you or any one to sec mo; but, when I caught sight of your woe-hegona face
 What queer thing 1t must be to show all ones emotions so plainly, twonder If you have any idea now how tragically miserable you lookes
 felt my face flush. but did not at .empt to answer her words--indecd