Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-10-13
lCONTINUED.l

street and walked along with a pale
face
Rachel was surprised, but not star
tied She had known Bollin rs a boy,
and there had been a time when they
had used each other first name famil-
iarly Lately, however, something in
Rachel's manner had put an end 10
that She was used TO his direct at
tempts at compliment and was some
times amused by them. Today she hon
estly wished him anywhere else.
"Do You over think Of me, Miss
Winslow?" asked Rollin after a pause
"Oh, yes, quite oftenl" said Rachel,
with a smile
care you thinking Of ne now 2"
"Ycs that is-yes, / am. ~
"What?'
''Do you want me 10 be absolutely
truthfulY'
"Of course "
"Then | was thinking that I wished
you were not here.
Rolliu bit his lip and looked gloomy
Rachel had not spoken anything as he
wished
"Now, look here, Rachcl-oh, know
that's forbidden, but I've got TO speak
some time Won know how l feel What
makes You treat me so hard Gou used
TO like me q little YOU know.
Did /? O. course we used to get on
very well as boy and girl but we are
older now.
Rachel still spoke in the light, easy
way she had used since her first annoy
Is. .
what preoccupicd with hcr plan, which
nad been disturbed 10y Rollins appear
ance.
They walked along in silence little
way. The avenue was full Of people
Among the persons passing was Jasper
Chase. Tie saw Rachel and Rollin and
bowed as he went by. Rolhn was
watching Rachel closely.
81 wish 1 were Jasper Chase. Maybe
I'd stand some show then, he said
moodily
Rachel colorod in spite of herself
- She did not say anything and quiczcned
her pace a little. Rollin seemed deter
mined TO say something, and Rachel
seemed helpless to prevent him. After
all, she thought he might as well know
the truth one time as another.
"You know well enough, Rachel
how feel toward you Ism there any
hope? / could make YOU happy I've
loved You a good many years '-
"Nhy, how old do YOU think / am 2"
broke in Rachel with n nervous laugh.
She was shaken out Of her usual poisc
Of manner
you know what / mean, went on
Rollin dogeadly land you have no
right to laugh at me just because
want You 10 marry me-
Il IN not, but it is useless for You TO
speak -Rolliu, said Rachel after lit
tie hesitation and then using his name
in such frank simple way that he
could attach no meaning to it beyond
the familiarity Of the family acquaint-
ance 1T is impossible" She was still
a little agitated by the fact Of receiving
proposal Of marriage ON the avenue
but tho nOis, on the street and side
walk made the conversation as private
as if they welr in the house.
"Would you-that is-do you think
if you gave me time | would"-
"No!" said Rachel She spoke firm
4
though she did not mean TO- She spoke
harshly.
They wallzeu on for some time with
out word. They were nearing Rachel's
home and she was anxious to end the
scene.
As they TUNED off the avenue into
one Of the quiet streets Rollin spoke
suddenly and with more manliness than
he had yet shown. There was a distinct
note Of dignity in his voice that was
new to Rachel
Mis- Winslow, / ask you 10 be my
wife l. there any hope for me that You
will over consent"
None in the least Rachel spoke
decidedly
"Win you tell me Why He asked
the question as if he had right to a
truthful answer
81 90 not feel toward you as a WON
an ought TO feel toward the man she
ought 10 marry.
"In other words, you DO not love
me2'
81 do not, and / cannot. ."
Why That was another question,
and Rachel was little surprised that
he should ask it,
because She hesitated for fear
she might say too much in an attempt
to speak the exact truth.
"Tell me just why You can't hurt
me more than You have done already "
"Well | don't and can't love you
because you have no purpose in life.
What do you ever do To make the world
better? You spend your time in club
life in amusemouts, in travel, in lux
ury. VIVA. is there in such a life to at
tract Won"
"Not much. / gucss, said Rollin,
with little laugh "Still don't
know that / am Any worse than the
rest Of the men around me. I'm not 30
bad rs some Glad 10 know your rea-