Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-05-18

growing ms handsome Iace. uIcaulug
eagerly, cliugiug fcryently to both her
tiny whitc-e Ioved hands. Mrs. Garrison
saw it all i'm the flash of a second, the
adjutaut not al ALL for with merry
laughter She repeated some words he
had just spoken as though they were
about the WittiCst, funniest things in
the world, and looked frankly mp into
his eyes as though hc were the best and
brightest man She had met i'm years
so his eyes were riyeted. and The tabI am
had time to dissolve. AL the same that
sight gave Mrs. Garrison rather more
than bad quarter of an hour. sAeWas
infinitely worried. Not because Pat
Latrobc had fallen desperately iu love
with her charming little sistor-that
was his lookout-but what-oh. what
might not happen if the charqing little
sister were TO fall in love With that
handsome soldier boy. At all hazards.
even if she had TO vhisk her away to-
morrow, that had 10 De stopped, and
this very evening when they went 10
their room Margaret spoke.
''Nita. if il were only for Mr.. Latrobe
| should not care snap Of my finger.
bur its you-you, ] thought YOU had
more sense. I thought YOU fully under
stood that YOU couldn't afford to lose
yourself a moment. and Yet if ever a
girl looked like yielding you did this
very afternoon. For my sake, Mia,
don't let it go any furthcr-don't fall
in Observation-Disclosures YOU DO
The younger sister stood at the dress
ing-table at the moment, her face avert
ed. The Mary Powell was just round
ing the point. and the mellow, melo-
dious notes of her bell were still ochoing
through the Highlands. Mia was gaz-
ing out upon the gorgeous effect of
sunset light and shadow on the east
ern cliffs and crags across the Hud-
son, a flush as vivid mantling her
cheeks, her lips quiyering. She was
making valiant efforts TO control her
self before replying.
I'm not in love with him." she finally
said
perhaps not-yet. Surely hope not,
but it looks awfully like it was com
ing-and Mia, You simply mustn't.
You've got TO marry money if have to
stand guard over YOU and see YOU do
you know you can this minute
if you'll only listen"
The younger girl wheeled sharply.
her eyes flashing. Peggy. you prom
ised me l shouldn't hear that hateful
thing again-at least not until we left
here-and you've broken your word
twice. You"
Its because / must. | can't see you
way l did when. with
your youth and-advantages you can
pick and choose. Col. Frost has mines
and money all over the west, and he
was your shadow at the seashore. and
all broken up; he told me so when we
came here. Paddy Latrobe is beau
tiful boy without penny"
His uncle" began Nita, feebly.
His uncle had a sister TO support
besides Paddy's mother. His pay as
brigadier in the regular service is only
$500. He can't have saved much Of
in the past, and he may last
a dozen years yet--or more. Even if
he does leave everything then TO Lat
robe, what'll you do meantime? Don't |
be a fool, Mia, because | was. had to |
be. 1t was that or nothing, and father /
was getting tired. You heard how he |
talked"
The younger sister was still at the /
dressing-table diligently brushing her
shining, curly tresses. She had re-
gained her composure and took occa- |
sional furtive peeps at Mrs. Frank, now |
seated at the foot OF the bed. busy with |
a buttonhook and the adjustment of
pair of very dainty boots Of white kid, |
whose buttons cleaned like pearls.
The mates TO them, half a size smaller, |
peeped from the tray of Nita's new
trunk.
There came a footstep and a rap at
he door. See what il is, Mia, there's
! love- don't want TO hop"
1t was a card-a new arrival at the
iotel.
Gentleman said he'd wait in the
1arlor, m" said the bellboy, and van
shed. Nita glanced at the card and in
SANITY trouble stood in her palng
ace. Silently Mrs. Garrison held out
Ter hand, took the card, and one quick
ook. The buttonhook dropped from
Ter relaxed fingers. The card read:
Mr.. Gouyerneur Prime"
For a second or two the sisters gazed
Il each other in silence
At last the elder spoke. "In heavens
lame, what brings that absurd boy
Jack here? / thought him safe in Eu.
ope."