The Red Cloud chief., 1892-05-13
CHAPTER ~rIl.-CoSrrSusp,

IA Ell ItL-SONTlNUBD '
Don't talk SO, dear Jane" Olive put
her nrm round the girls shoulders, and
spoke with quick sympathy. "Men havc
their dark moods, and come out Of
them"
Aaron never was quito rs other men
arc" said Jane, sorrowfully. "Hc was
always more responding than others
always believing himself IN illstarrcd
creature. No one ever had such q strong
influence over him rs Michael bad.
Michael could make him hopeful md
cheerful; he looked up to Michael Us a.
hero-you know II, Olive, and now"
Jane was n quiet woman, and she
took her trouble In o quiet fashion.
Tears stole down her checks, but there
vas no sob, no passionate cry Of dis
trcss. Olive. weeping too, drew closer,
and comforted her rs q sister. a."
~ don't want to say anything hard
about Michael" said Jano, drying her
eyes, and returning Olives kiss. ''.But
] wish, oh, how ] wish that he would be
as friendly with Aaron as he used to be!
Just q cheering word now md then. or
"a few minutes talk about old times,
you'd set Aaron up and lift him out Of
himself. You know he has almost wor-
SHIPPED Michael oil his life. and no
thought TINT when his old friend came
TO l,nttcrsby's works he would be lone
ly and homc-sick no more"
What could Olive say? She still kept
her arm round Jane, and puzzled her
brain TO find comforting words.
Dear Jane. Michael is always preoc-
cupied." she said Mt last. ~ wish IL
were not so. but ! cannot change. him.
Perhaps, by and by, when he has won
all that he is striving for, he will have
thoughts to spare for old friends, and
will be his old self again" =,
: but II he ever does become his old
self again he will look round In vain for
. old friends" Jane answered. 'They
can't whit, you see, till he hns time to
spare. But. Olive. ] am afraid that
Michael dislikcs having Aaron ncas
him. Only Aaron knows anything OF
Michael's early days. and men who
want to rise very high sometimcss hate
those who remind them ofthcir low Dc.
ginning" ,.r
Olive flushed deeply. tN
Aaron should not encourage such
fancics." she said, ''and have often
heard our old vicar say that people arc
hard On the man who rises. They always
suspect him Of looking down on old as.
sociates; they take his pride for grant
ed, and never give him tho benefit Of q
doubt" trne4t, g.
~ only hope that Aaron is mistaken
Iapa roy,0tn1 vrnnv1u ov horo olSsyo ~
admired Michael very much, and I want
TO believe In him for your sake" IN
'Thcn do believe in him, dear" en-,
treated Olive. land try to bring Aaron
into a brighter mood. All. II we had
him here we would soon dispel his
doubts and fcarsl What q gloomy crcI-
ture q mar Is when he is away from %
woman's influence"
Jane smiled, somewhat comforted,
and the sweet evening wind kissed the
two faces, as It came blowing freshly
across the downs. The air seemed full
OF the breath Of wild flowers; there
were hope and peace and quiet glad
ness in this remote world Of low Hills
and green meadows aud siolets. Tho
girls fingered ut the gate o few mo
inents longer. and then went indoors tc
their household work.
Next day Olive contrivcd 10 have q
talk with her mother, and ask he,
questions about Uncle Wake and his
business But Mrs. Clailock bad moi
much to tel. III ~
"He was always q lIind-hearted man.
she said. ''and q good husband to my
poor sister. Your aunt Ruth dicdyoung'
lie loved her very much; ] almost won
der that he married again. and yet
oughtn't to wonder, seeing that ] mar
ried O second time, although ] loved
your father dearly! We widows and
widowers allow ourselves TO be talked
over, even when our hearts are buried
in the grave Of our FIRST love. Yes, Mr.
Wake is a good man, Olive"
"Has he any children" Olive asked.
''The second wife had n daughter
He wrote and told me Of the birth.
v heard Of any other children
Afrs Chnllock replied.