Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-03-21


were kept along with the drawn
work. Indian baskets. cigars and huge
red skins with heads Of fierce Indians
burned upon them.
please, sir, here's peoples! They'll
open i'm the morning"
The figure was little and the voice
full of pleading. Jack bought what
were left i'm the basket.
81 wonder" he thought. with n sud
den inspiration, "if Mrs. Barton has
had fresh ones to-day"
lie held them up critically. The
shiny gold petals were locked tightly
together They'll open i'm the morn
ing, though" the piping little voice
had said. IL suppose Sis would want
me TO go half way-and more. l be-
lieve I'll just call with them"
He walked through the waiting
room and looked out into the clear
evening. The stars were shining,
some men from the hotel strolling
up and down the paths of the park.
and through the palm trees he could
see two ladies muffied In their fur
capes. on the porch OF the Annex.
California dries her tears like child.
1t fascinated him. He took his coat
and hat and started out
A half hour later Mrs. Barton,
lounging listlessly in the room her
aunt had assigned her. was handed
the card of Mr.. John Denton. Her
face showed surprise and dismay.
Then instantly her lips curved in a
quick smile.
"Well, it's good of him-at last"
she said under her breath. Tell him
III be down soon" She tilted her mir
ror and gave the picture 1T presented
quick. critical glance, such as an
artist gives before he puts the finish.
ing touches in.
Five years." she said. prettily
triumphant. well, Mr.. Jack, they
haven't hurt me-"
Five years before Sarah Gordon
had quarreled with Jack Denton. who
people had thought she would marry.
His sister had been involved in it, IL
was a foolish little affair, but since
that time there had been no word
between them. Not that any one of
them wholly wished il so, but no one
was willing TO take the first step.
Thus Sarah Gordon Barton, one year
n widow, was not only glad on gen
eral principles TO have one of her long
evenings varied, but bit relieved at
the prospect of commonplace peace
again.
Il thank you for the dinner invita-
ton" he said. Fortunately Sunday
is free. You said at two, didn't you?
The telephone was unusually misty
tonight And l didn't make out who
you said is coming also"
Mrs. Barton turned her head, hold
ing the fire-screen she had toyed
with where it shadowed her face.
Pardon me, Jack" she said mo-
ment later, as if startled. What were
you saying? Dinner Sunday? Why,
of course at two. And nobody's com
ing but you. That's what said aunt
and uncle and YOU and l, just as il
used TO be. Must you go so soon?"
This as she walked across the room
beside him. Then she held out her
hand again. tipping back her head so
that he looked straight in her face
and down into the depths Of her
great dark eyes. and she said, with
little laugh: This is lots better
! than the other way. isn't it? ! only
wish your sister were here. too"
And while he kept the hand he re-
/ piled:
at is better. Sarah; why didn't we
do it before"
Sarah Barton came back 10 the fire
and sat there staring i'm il with her
face between her hands
"What in the world does il mean p"
She asked. ~ thought people said he
is half in love with that girl-what
is her name? Ruth something or 9th.
| Grand the telephone?
She figured al the problem patient
/ " for nearly minute. Then she
! gathered her silken skirts about her
and went gaily upstairs. Il never
did believe that Providence wanted
anybody TO be as bored as | have
been And this proves it, Whoever
has lost and whatever is lost I'm de-
! cidedly the gamer. Now. 10 tell
auntie that she's been getting mp a
! dinner party for next sunday at two
o'clock"
III.
RUTH
Mr. Foster. tall. thin. keen-eyed,
rose from the big leather chair in
/ which he had been comfortably smok-
! ing. and. throwing down his cigar
stub graspcd the arm of the husband
! heartily, saying:
well. old man. your dinner was tip
top and the cigars even better. But
/ times up now
The husband drew aside the cur
tains which separated his den from
the larger rooms and they stood for
a moment i'm the door watching the