Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-14
'alked over their plans Of future hs p.

OF this visit OF MIR. Jack KipleyY And
now. as the thought occurred. he be-
came aware of low voices in the arbor.
Before he could rise and move away
these words in Josie's voice. slightly
raised. came distinctly to his ear:
I'll tell you Jack, no one suspects us.
But YOU come too often to the house.
You must keep away. and this must
ositvely be your last visit before"
Her voice sank and the rest was in
audible. But reply came in mans
tones--low and tender and pleading.
you are sure that you W II not fail
me at the last-that | may trust inn
plicitly TO your promise?"
Then more murmurngs; only broken
sentences came to the ear of the un-
consc ously spell-pound listener.
What would the Doctor say If he
knew thisp"
Why, think he would not exactly
approve" came in Josie's laughing
voice; "but so long as am unmarried
1 have a right 10 consult my own in
clination. As to papa, he VII be
angry with us. of course. but only for
Il time. You will yet see him with his
benevolent face glowing with a smile
of satisfaction, while he spreads out
his dear pudgy hands and says: Bless
you my children!
And they both laughed.
just then servant s vo.ce was
heard
Miss Josie! You're wanted in the
parlor, miss
There was Sudden rustling of the
roses as tine girl sprang up.
Remember. Jack, tomorrow even
ing at s precisely. Can you see the
dress | have on--brown over striped
underskrt? Well, it will be this dress
add a thick brown veil. And YOU must
be standing exactly by that poplar tree
showed you. Goodby! You bad bet
ter leave by the garden gate instead of
60 az into the house.
Then the doctor regained sufficient
presence of mind TO move away and
seat himself as far as possible from the
open window.
Josie came in flushed. excited and.
despite her evident effort to appear as
usual, shy and constrained.
The doctor did not remain long. He
felt too shocked and wounded to know
exactly what course to pursue in this
sudden and unexpected state of things.
BE would 90 home and think it over.
And the result of his thinking was. that
lie concluded TO say nothing to jose
phine just now. but to watch her move
ments the next evening and find some.
thing more definite by which TO shape
his course.
1t was tile past o clock the next
evening when. watching from his Off &c
window he saw Josephine trip lightly
Al nf h..r fat ~
attlred in the brown aud striped dress,
and little hat around which was tied
a brown veil.
He saw her face before she pulled the
folds of the veil close, and even caught
her glance As she looked shyls over to-
ward his office as if fearful of being
seen by him. Then she walked on very
fast. while he followed at safe DIS
lance.
She went first to house in which
he knew sister of her father resided
Miss Almer a Chase "a well-to-do
maiden lady whose pr.m and severe
aspect he had never liked.
Here she remained about half an
hour. then reappeared, walking hur-
+ edly as before. and taking her way
not homeward. but toward the suburbs
of the town.
Eater NJ sort of lane or narrow
road. with thick hedge on one side.
she came in 5 ght of a poplar tree at
the turn of the lane. Here man was
standing-a tall, handsome young fell
low--who, on see ing her. came hastily
forward an received her apparently
half fainting. in Ii : arms.
At the same moment he made a sig-
nal, and carriage. until now hidden
by the turn of the lane. came up
The two hurriedly entered it aud they
drove away at a rapid pace. They
were clearly go ne 10 catch the north
bound train AT the nearest station.
The doctor, although he now under
stood the plan, male no motion To at
tempt 10 oppose it,
''If she prefers him to me, lei Ner
co. he sad. AMI. in forlorn wretched-
ness and bitterness Uf soul, returned to
his office.
The Chase house opposite was shut
up and the windows closed, as though
its f5 and light had forever departed.
ID d the parents know as yet what
had happened? Should lie break it to
them-more gently, perhaps, than 9TH
ers would do. and in their woe find
some soothing for his own?
He walked slowly up the front steps
TO the porch. aud there fingered. He
could not find it in his heart to enter
the house where her presence was no
longer. and it was with an effort that
he gave the bell knob pull which
seemed like the wrenchmgs of his own
heart-strings.
The door was instantly opened. and
turning lac beheld Josie standing
sullenly before him.
Il have been expecting you for
more than an hour" she sa Il. But
catching SIGHT OF his pale and startled
face. "what is the matter? Are you
ill?"
mo; but IL don't understand /
did not expect To see you. 1 thought
you had gone away"
Gone away?"
''Yes-w.th Jack Ripley" he said
sternly.