Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-11-22

forgive her"
In the course OF the following
week, Mrs West directed Maria, in
the cold, distant tone now invariably
accorded her, TO have the blue room
prepared for sleeping ill.,"
For visitor, aunt?" she inquired.
eyes," was the curt reply. "Mr.
Letsom is coming"
A thrill, half pleasure, half appre-
henson, ran through Maria. She
knew that A fred Letson had been
to the Glebe Farm when she was too
i'll to sac him, but he had not been
since. She knew also he bad then
been informed of the transaction,and
her guilt assured 10 him. As
soon as she was able she wrote
TO him a plain statement OF the
facts, as she had told her uncle
and Mr.. Lister, assuring him of her
innocence. To this letter she had
received no reply, and it panied her
much. But she could not conceal
from herself that he had become
cool in manner to her previously; ne
had paid visits to the Glebe Farm
in the winter, ostensibly for the
purpose Of seeing Maria, though,
when there, appearing more occupied
with Frances Chambers.
He arrived on Saturday, earlier
| than was anticipated, and no one
was at home but Maria. He started
when he saw her, held out his hand,
drew it back, and finally held it out
again, all indecision. GLOW i'll you
must have been" he involuntriy
uttered. 81 never saw any one 30
changed"
Extremely ILL.," she quietly ans
wered. 81 told you SO in my letter,
Alfred"
"Ah-yes. Wher's Mrs. West?
"She and Frances are out in the
pony carriage. Alfred, why did you
not reply to my letter.
He knitted his brow, paused, relax.
ed it again, gard then threw his head
back with the air of man who has
been nerving himself to some disa-
greeable dnty. Maria spoke before
he could.
"Alfred, | am as innocent as you
know no more where that money
of my aunt's went to than you do
Can you believe other wise?'
could not have believed i; bur
ii is unfortunate that the circum
stances are so unaccountable."
The tone struck upon her heart
| like a heart like a heavy night mare
and she felt that a II between her anc
Alfred Letsom was soon TO have al
ending. An indignant thought flash
ed through her.
"You do not believe me guilty
Alfred, no, you do not" speaking
energetically in her emotion. "Y OF
. have not known me all my life tC
believe me guilty now. You wist
TO cancel the engagement between
us, and you seize upon this plea t.
do so. 1t had been more gracious
; , far more kind, that you had can
! didly told me your mind wa
! changed"
81 declare, | don't think you know
what you are saying, he uttered, hi
face glowing with confusion; TO
, Maria had hit upon the truth, anC
; towards do not care to hear It spokel
, to them when it tells home. 81 car
, not be expected to fulfill my engage
ment to you until this suspicious mat
ter shall have been cleared up-if i
ever can be cleared"
"You no longer wished it some
time before this took place. Die
You think | was unobservant Of you
GOODNESS last winter? Stay moment
Alfred. | have said my say SO far
am not going to complain. Yol
Will be surprised to hear that | als'
, thought of parting"
"Indeedn' he slightingly said.
q She drew her chair nearer TO him
"Alfred, have cause to believe tina
you are falling into habits that cal
! not profit you; they may be you
ruin here, they certainly will not hell
your hopes of q hereafter. Is it true
, or is it not, that you have becom
, fond Of gambling"
Alfred Letsom's eyes flashed fire
"What do you mean" he burs
forth.
"Alfrcd, | have no right now t.
ind fault with you; but would still
speak to you as a friend. | know
: that you have been led away befor
to frequent places of an evening
} where gambling is carried on. Eve
: since | heard this of you | have beel
:, schooling myself to bear the parting
? between Us that | thought mus
come. Did you take George t
these places"
no." he angrily replied. "Wh
4 1 n