Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-27

"Alex-Ferdinand, he must be
saved. Having kept heart
whole amongst all our most
brilliant society beauties, he shall not
throw himself away now on nobody
"a dairymaid
''How are we 10 prevent it?" they
muttered helplessly, awed by her swift
energy.
"Are you inclined to save him from
his folly? Do you agree with mo that
he ought not to be allowed to commit
such an act of utter madness?"
IL quite agree with you, Clare, IL II
is so. But we are not sure; and even
if we were, we have no power to pre-
vent him marrying whom he pleases. "
II know way to prevent it, One
OF you, or both. invade his solitude
force yourself upon him until he Is
obliged to emerge from his hermit
like dwelling. Find out whether there
is girl in the case, and If she is awk-
ward, uneducated, or low-born. Laugh
at her faults before him, until he
grows perfectly sick Of her and leaves
her"
"A capital idea. But don't you
think it rather mean, dishonorable
thing to do?" Alex protested, dark
flush rising to his brow.
Lady Glare stared ut him in amazed
wonder, then burst into n fit of uncon-
trollable laughter; but as he appeared
vexed, she ceased, and put her hand
atlectionately upon his.
"My dear Alex, | did not know you
were so prudish in your fancies. Can
there be anything dishonorable or
mean in opening mans eyes to the
abyss into which he is falling blind
fold? Rather is it the act of friend,
and one he will thank 'you for later.
viii you do this, or must | ask some
one else to aid me?"
The brothers saw she was in earnest
and they desired too much TO serve her
to refuse what she demanded. 1t went
against them to turn traitor to their
friend, but Clare's wish was law, and
whatever she commanded had TO be
done.
Very well; Wen go tomorrow if
you like. | suppose he won't insult
us, and shut his door upon u.s."
You know better than that, Alex;
Stewart Lindley is the most hospitable
of men." Glare said quickly.
Ferdinand looked at her little
jealousy; her face was flushed, AID
her eyes brilliant with excitement.
Why should she take such interest in
man whose future could be as nothing
TO her?
Glare" he said seriously. IL hope
you are only saving him for the sake
of society and his friends; if any deep
or feeling prompted you, I'm hanged
if would move IA hand to break off
this supposed ENHANCEMENT"
''How foolish you are, Ferdinand.
If ! cared for the man, do you suppose
l would so openly interest myself in
him? should go, rather, and plead
with him without your help.
Forgive me. dearest; l did not
mean To offend you. the young fellow
entreated, and seeing him 20 penitent,
Clare let him take her slender hand
and press il TO his lips.
OF course Alex followed suit, and
both left her with their hearts brim-
ming over with warm love; they would
hardly have been SO content had they
seen the knocking smile which curled
Clare's red lips as she watched them
walk arm-in-arm down the street
Poor fools, | never so nearly lost
my temper as when that stupid Fer
dinand began suspecting my true mo-
tives. Happily he is credulous, and
went away in full belief of my disin-
terestedness. Cousins are bores some
times. And yet | could hardly do
without mine; they serve as tools
slaves!''
The bitter irony died from her face;
sudden dark shadow covered it, and
a white pallor chased all the dainty
bloom away. With swift, passionate
gesture she wrung her hands together,
walking rapidly about the room, as If
some restless spirit had taken posses
| sion of her.
Had either OF her cousins entered at
that moment he would have been sur
prised and Disguised at the vindictive
lOOh vi SldIt JdCts llcE eyes
were full of smouldering passion, and
her lips were drawn in straight thin
line. For moment all the vivacious
beauty other features had disappeared,
leaving her with almost repulsive
expression.
"How their careless words hurt me!'
she muttered iercely. II could have
cried aloud with rage and pain. If it
is true that another girl has won his
love, / shall hate him-hate her!
When | met him the other day he APP
peared almost annoyed at seeing me,
scarce listened TO the news / had to
give. | wish | had suspected the
truth, / would have wrung the whole
| tale from him."
Meanwhile Alexander and his brother
drove home, and, having arranged
their affairs a little, paid few visits,
ending up with a ball, they retired to
rest with slight dread of tomorrow.
But the voice of love and duty had
10 be obeyed, so the next next morn
ing found them walking down the
long dusty road leading TO Stewart
| Lindley's tiny homestead.