Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-01-20

shattered to Interrupt him, and when she
pictured his fathers look OF angry contempt
for her boys infatuatlon, she quaied In
spirit.
'Where does she-at what thester does this
this Miss Baldew playp she asked at
length.
AT the Absurdlty," he answered, colorIng
freely and feeling that 1t was too hard TEL
low should be made to feel criminal, merely
because he had announced his intention oil
marrying the dearest girl In the world"
"Worse and worsei" Lady Bolton moaned.
''She'll leave 1t now; she'll give UP the
stage at once, now" he protested. 'Do be
kind about IT. mother; say you'n go and call
on her"
at Will kill me TO receive her; besides,
without your fathers consent | can do moth
ing OH Bernard, this is bitter, very bitter;
and YOU might have married Miss Gabraith."
"Never after seeing Trixy," he said deter
Intimately. at Will kill me to lose her, and SO
] shall give my father to understand"
lie said this very courageously; his father
not being there to hear him.
"You must break 1t to him, mother dear"
the young man said coaxingly, when in about
half an hour they heard Florence's 1ylng feet
advancing rapidly upon them
Lady Bolton shudlered with unmistakabc
force and reality
"Your father will half murder me with one
OF his looks. 4"
MY dear mother so you used to say when
l out-ran my pocket money; in reality you're
not bit afraid of my father, aud when you see
the dear girl I've chosen
"llush for mercy's suke. Your sister,"
Lady Bolton cried In agony as Florence came
sprnging upon them.
BERNARD, dear Old boy; come up for tonight
have youi Oh, don't shake your head, you
naughty boy. You must-simpy must. We
met Claire Galbrath, and had a spin with her
mother, and papa asked her himself to dine
here tonight aud 20 with us to Flora
Floored,' aud she's coming-why, what's the
matterP'
cried pssslonately.
you'd better speak TO my father at once"
Bernard suggested, and Lady Bolton, in spite
OF her hatred OF it all, found herself being
affcctiorately turned out OF the room bv
Bernard, In order that she might act as his
ambasssdress.
Put luncheon back for half an hour"
you'll get IL over before then, my dear
mother"
~ doubt II shall ever come out Of his
study alive" Lady Benton said trsgicallv
Then she went down to face the worst, and
Bernard was left alone with his sister.
What does II mean, Bernardo
at means that | am going to give you the
sweetest sIster-in-lsv in the world"
"Clsre Gabraithp
mot bit OF it,
"Who thcnr And he told her.
Meanwhile Lady Bolton was making her
husband acquainted with the full facts.
How she preached the subject she never
could clearly reeo lect and she received nc
manner of aid from Sir Edward. lie Listened
Ia her In almost motionless silence.
'Ile is our only son, he /. everything to u.
happiness must be our first consideration. If
You drive hun to despair now, Edward, he
may do something desperatel"
"A minute ago you were declaring tina,
such a marriage would break your heart;
don't clearly understand whether you wish
the affair to 20 on and have your heart broken
OF whether you wish me to interfere aud drive
him to desperation"
You can argue about It; can only feel, y
she said ind gnsntly.
well, don't cry; II you weep at him he'i
quite as likely to go and marry her tomorrow
as he is IL / were to storm at him We mus
do neither. Luncheon must be ready. and
don't see why Bernard should not escort yor
TO the Absurdity tonight"
Where she isl Madne.. -
"Not at all. He can't indulge in rapture,
there, and II he does indulge In them Miss
Galbraith will soon make him feel himself Il
be the fool he is'
''Shsll you forbid It now-at once r.
mo need to do that can't forbid IL; he'l
90, and will please himself Send him 10 m.
for minute"
"You absolutely seem disposed TO encoursg,
the Madness" she cried.
"My dear woman You came into this room
with the avowed object Of pleading for your
sou. ! have listened to your plea What
more do YOU want r.
Then Lady Bolton went back to her chill
dren, and found Bernard showing photograph.
OF Miss Fontenoy In character OF his sister
The minutes conversation with his father
was not half as appalling as he had antlc pat
ed.
well Bernard" Sir Edward said looking
up and noddng, as his son entered the study
whats this hear r.
81 suppose my mother has told you all there
is to tell, sir.'
81 don't know"
you won't set your face against IL, trust
SIR" Bernard began hotly because, tell you
fairly, II YOU do / shall marry Miss Baldeu
at once"
Really Perhaps Miss Baldcw would fee
obliged IL did set my face against IT, then. >
She wouldn't; she would be miserable
Give her an opportunity OF winning youl
heart as she has won mine"
THAT would be unjust to your mother, u
Sir Edward said, smiling grImly.
my mother will call, II you will permit her
TO do So"
by all means.n
"And you will invite them here ~
"By them do you mean the whole OF the
Absurdity Company ~
81 mean her mother and herself sir :" Der
nard said haughtly. He thought he wss
gaining such glorious victory.
'Oh, most distinctly. VIII Miss Fontenoy
come In character IL so, / see no need for