Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-09-22

along which the postman came, and
about the time for his arrival heard her
light footsteps pattering down the stairs,
saw her fly across the lawn, and then re-
turn to her room TO enjoy tho treasured
letter undsturbed
When she appeared at luncheon time
her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wet
though sparkling with delight, AS she
laid before Us vignette photograph OF
Phil. taken few hours after she had
LETT him.
-What do you think Of il p she asked.
-Do YOU think it is like himl DO you
think he has changed much-that he has
grown old-lookingY"
thought he had changed much, and
told her so. His face looked wan and
thin. and in the sunAon eyes there was
an expression Of suffering and shame
faced pleading that touched me In spite
OF myself
you forget bow ill-how very ill-hs
was. the girl urged; you don't make
allowances for his fever. And then
then you couldn't expect him t. look
well and smiling half an hour after he
had left mel Oh. y'u couldn't expect
thsu Trot, you haven't looked at him
yet Look, dear-looN BE kinder than
the others; don't tell ne he has changed
so much-appears 80 all Oh, don't, dear
fnend!-
Trot took up the little picture, and, in
spite Of the onderfdl command she had
over herself, saw "a : .ade OF pain cross
her features as she glanced at the sad
altered face OF her faithless lover
-N-no. dear, no. Making allowances
for climate and hard work. | don't think
that there is SO much change in his APP
pearance. = she replied reassuringly. Be-
sides, the printing at the photo is so bad.
Where was it done-Alebourne you
say" She turned it over, and the fol-
lowing appeal in Phils bold Struggling
baud met her eyeS-
when my darling sees this. she will
pity me and write u; once. | know
The card dropped hom her hand. and
Emmeline snatchel it up and pressed il
To her npS passi"nstely.
oh. why did leave YOU, my love-"
she murmured and then an uncomfort-
able silence followed. broken only by ia
net : fearless sObDlng.
Do YOU want 10 read his letter. any
~ vou?r Emmeline asked. in a tone
that warned US of assent. III will
show it, If YOU like; but ne only meant
il for me-Only for me. You don't want
t. read it? You would rather told
you the news? And YOU. dear mother.
tooi Oh, thank YOU. thank you ALI
How good you are TO me! Then will
tell YOU every ting. And b. sends meg
sages for you all; lac forgets no one.
But ore message d,n't understand lie
sends his love to 'Whit-Monday' and do
slres him TO be It'd that he's bringing
him home a beautiful collar. VINO is
whit Monday"
-Oniy little dog that di, i month
ago, Peggy answered, her foolish eyes
filling with tears; for Whit Monday
was a bright little terrier. Phil's first
present to lrot on their engagement. and
christeued 10y him after the luckless day
on which he had declared his love and
been accepted.
For the rest OF the afternoon we saw
no more. of Emmeliue as she remained
locked up IN her room. poring over her
letter and adding counties, po-tscripts TO
the one she was going to send out the
next morning.
However. the vague gloom OF the dav
was somewhat dispelled At late post hour
by an invitation for Janet aud her
dau-hter.in-law to a big dinner party at
Lord Somertowu's that day week, for
which Janet announced her intention of
ordering the next morning at Madams
DervsuX's ruby velvet costume; aud
this tremendous topic. together with
the treat in store for Emnellne Of seeing
the family diamonds absorbed all .her
subjects of conversation for the night
Tie second week of Emmeline's ms -
lation went by quite as smoothly as lie
first The mail arrived two DAYS earlier
than was expected. aud. as Emmeline
had received an intImation of the happy
fact through tie evening papers.
was at the gate to meet the poStman.
who brought her another voluninous
budget more cheerful and hopeful than
the first: and Janets new frock. under
her dear daughters supervision. promised
To bs "A tremendous success.
The afternoon OF the eventful DAY on
which the dress was to be worn, a. Janst
WAS seated at the window, waiting for
Sheltou's fly 10 come and take her to
fetch thu diamonds from the bank ~
usual. Tr"t came runni in from the
lawn Wit one OF those d'. .,stshle CRANE
envelope. IN her trembling hand.
"Hushi" . erie exrli~ily. -Dont
1T her u ar; il is a t-ie., r,ru from-irom
Australia. o.. aunt H.. ", ouvhtn't
somcOpGy to open it before size
OuChtn't-ou .htu't--
"'lo whom D. It addressed-to herself:
W; it il addressed merely to Brown
rcg Ecclrsfup' W--we had better
Lake 1t To his mother; she can opes It,
Janet was very much alarmed when
W. handed her the Ell, elope. and though
we al, assured her with feverish volubl-
itl at there was not ing TO be fright
euei AT. that We felt convinced it was
OILY message about = money. she let
the papr liz in her lap, until at last
D,ttv, not able To he. the ,usp-ns-. tore
omen the envelope. when r. -