Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-02
adorable mile-"No--indeed, auntie~

half an hour all TO myself"
She is Penis mother, and she ha&
lost the frs slender symmetrical curves
and outlines, yet there is still an honest
youthfulnsSs about her singularly attract.
i've. Her mouth is large and loving, hef
eyes blue ard the soft lace cap that rest,
upon her head hides hair that is as soft and
silky as a girls, and without IA thread Of
gray in il.
"Denis told me so much about you, f" says
she, when she has helped the Duchess to
take off her things, THAT L feel as il !
knew you. But with you, of course, 1t is
different. l must be more or less an utter
stranger to you"
"Oh, no. IL Denis talked OF mo TO you
no must, | think, have talked even more OF
you to me; and all he said was of such sort
that | knew If / did not love you it would
be my own fault"
"Did he? Did he really describe me?r
says madam delicate color rising to her
check. sob! Norahl If | could tell you
what a son he is'' Her gentle face is indeed
alight with n lovely qualification. "But
you are tired, dear child You must take
gas of wine"
She fuses over the girl in a mild and
kind y way for a little while; taking evident
pleasure in her, and presently sittina
down, takes one of her hands between hei
own.
II am glad you have come back to 1ro.
land, " says Norah, after "a while. "Self.
ishly glad, mean. Your coming has made
you known t. me. "
"a pretty compliment, smiling. eyes,
and l am glad, too, for certain reasons
but for tho rest confess ] am a coward,
Norah whore Denis is concerned, and ]
dread the results of this visit"
"But why; The people round here-ara
they so dsaiTected towards Their landloriN'
"What n superfuous question is disloyal
Kerry Have you forgotten the tragic
event that occurred within tho past two
years on this estateo Are you ignorant Of
the daily, hourly crimes that are beng
comm tied throughout the country? When
Denis decided on com ny over and superin,
ten-ing affairs himself / felt dared not to
try TO influence him against the DEGREES Of
his conscience, Lut i felt also that he car
riel his life in his hands, AM that / should
never know happy moment spent amongst
these bloodthirsty creau. es."
rs i'll they may respect Denis when they
would not paid agent
"A vain hope. They have not respected
him. Already he has had two threatening
letters and last week twenty poor,
dumb, defenseess b ast5-cows Of his
were IlySb bIuldllF liullluOSi ~ slChcuN
me to think of it, - says madam, who has
grown rather pale. And il they will not
spare innocent creatures that can not
thwart or harm them, how will it lie with
those who'-She stops abruptly, and a
strong shudder runs through her frame.
81 assure you dwell always on,the worst
side Of it, :" she says.
''nut ii Denis were to try to conciliate
them" hazards Norah.
THAT is not to be hoped for. You have
seen only Denis happi-st moods, those he
keeps for his mother, - with a very loving
smile, "and the few he really likes, as he
likes you, child; but he can be t-rribly de-
termined at times, and tho death of that
poor young man, his agent still rankles IN
his mind. There are mutterings in tho
very air we breathe, WARNINGS in every
breeze. 1t is in terror | seek my bed 40
night; | scarcely know what it Is I dream,
vet fear ovorwhelmS me now and then and
l feel certain at least of this, that revenge
Will be attempted. "
'But revenge for what?' asks Norah,
growing anxious How has Denis exas-
perated the people?'
''For one thing he has refused to accept
their terms very iniquitous ones with res
gard to payment of rents that are now,
some of them, over three years due. He
gave no quartz TO his murdered agent. He
will mete ont measure for measure full and
perfect He is wrong, rerhap5s" Questions
the anxious mother, looking at Norah, as il
for contradiction.
Zone can hardly blame him." replies shs
with a sign
mot |, for one; and yet fear his un,
compromising attitude may-may-Dear
Norahn' rising TO her feet and beginning
rapidly 10 pace the room, ''l cannot
put my fears into words, but know and
anticipate only evil from our sojourn here.
Well, well, ;" making an effort to overcome
Eer agitation, al have no right 10 press my
troubles upon you in this the first hour OF
our meeting, and indeed you must be
witch to drag them from me tnus, for
confess to YOU, Norah, have never yet
limited of them to living soul save you, lest
it should come 70 Denis ears and dishearten
him by making him think / was unhappy
here"
''You would not leave?" uncertainty.
''Oh, no. / may he unhappy now for
him, hut % lie away from him when dam
ger threatened would be more than could
endure. on sec l tel yol al, " smiling.
''There must be some subtle sympathy bo-
tween us TO maze me thus confide in you.o
She sghs and again Ircsss the girls
thin little hand lingeringly Let,'een both
her own soft, white palms
IL am glad you like me," says the Duch-
ess slowly.
1T is more than that, think" says
madam, III her gentle, earnest way. Sheis
looking with a strange, fixed expression at
Norah. Again she sees in the girls eanti-
full face that vivid likoness to her dad, to
the loverhusbani of her youth.
''Do you know" she says leaning to-
ward h.r, II am going to make believe
you are my little daughter whilst you arc
with mel / have Often wished had ono
really, Not that Denis''-quckly, as il
fearful of doing injustice to her beloved
son-'ever left me much to wish for; but
still you know, daughter must lie pre-
cious Ut
"You have Katherine" says tho
Duchess, looking at her strangely.
"Ies; yes. And she is very dear girl,
too. les; ot course" There is n slight
suspicion of strain as it seems to Moran, in
madam's kindly manner. ''And Denis,
darling, what did you think of him? He is