The Irish standard., 1892-02-27
or living people; only Michael, with his
cold set face, was miserably real He
would not look st her, he did not speak,
and they reached the station and gos
into train in silence.


would not look at her, he did not speak,
and they reached the station and gos
into train in silence.
CHAPTER TX. q
GREAT FEELINGS HATH SHE OF Her own"
Uncle Wake was alone in the house
when Olive came in; his wife had gone
to see their married daughter, and hac
left him. surrounded with books, at the
open window of the sitting-room mp
stairs. He had not thought that Olive
would return till evening.
When he opened the door and saw
her standing outside alone, he knew
that the time he was looking for was
nigh at hand 1t was a time that he
dreaded, for there was no torture on
earth that Samuel Wake would not have
endured to save a woman from pain.
But who does not know those dark
places where we must leuve our beloved
ones to walk alone? 1t is their feet.
not ours, that must tread the thornJ
path: we can but wait till the trial IL
ended, before we come with our balms
of healing And the old man, wise
with the knowledge Of one who has
studied humanity, was waiting pa.
tiently for the hour when his help
would be needed.
$50 you have come back to cheer the
old uncle in his solitude" he said, as she
entered 'sMy wife has gone to spend
the evening with poor Jessie"
She tiled to speak but her lips
trembled. and the words would NOT
come.
''You are tired, my child" he added.
with a tenderness that set her tears
flowing. go and lie, down on the old
sofa in the parlor upstairs: it is good
resting place, as have reason to know.
No need to talk to the old uncle! He
understands silence, and it comforts
him to look at you, even if he does not
hear your voice.
Already soothed, although She could
not hide her tears, Olive went straight
to her own little room, and Laid aside
the pretty bonnet that she had trimmed
with such natural pleasure. What had
she TO do with 'sthe outward adjoining"
any more? A sore heart has little
thought for the body that contains it.
Poor Olive tossed the bonnet ON the
bed, and glanced with disgust at the
bunch of scarlet peoples and wheat
ears that she had arranged with skill.
full fingers. Michael had not given them
one look, and they had been worn for
his eyes alone.
1t was no small consolation to feel
that she need not wear mask before
Uncle Wake He had seen that she
was crying, and she knew that he
would not question her. She went
softly down TO the large parlor, and
made her way to the old chintz-covered
sofa that was pushed into shady cor
ner out of the light, and then, worn out
with her sorrow, she closed her eyes
and lay still
Large men, like Samuel Wake, often
tread lightly, and his niece did not hear
his approach till he came to her side,
speaking in the deep, kindly voice that
always conveyed ideas of help and
strength.
Come, Olive he said, II am as good
a tea-maker as you can find anywhere
Drink this and eat some Of my toast.
Young people always forget food when
they go out and take their pleasure"
To please him the weary brown head
lifted itself from it's resting-place; Olive
ate and drank, and was surprised to
find herself really better for the tea.
He went back to his books, and she
sank again on the sofa cushions, but
presently her voice called him to her
side once more.
Uncle, do you mind sitting nearer to
me? l am SO very, very lonely"
The poor voice quavered sadly. Sam
nel Wake rose from his seat and drew
chair close to the couch.
What is it, my child?' he asked, lay
ing his hand on her hair. "a lovers
quarrel?'
YES she whispered. ''The first we
have ever had"
''Well, we'll, we all know that lovers
never part after a first QUARREL" he
said, in a quiet matter-of-fact tone that
Gained her nerves. What WAS it all
about, little one. If an old man may
ask?'
''1t arose out of very simple speech
of mine which seemed to annoy
Michael" answered Olive, her cheeks