Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-12-29

That won't be for five years. he
urged. Look here, Amabel, l want
you to come with me.
Next year!' she cried.
Yes, dear
I'm afraid can't Bernie
why not?' he demanded
oh, yol re not serious.'
I was never more
| Now, don't be serious she cried,
there's a dear boy.
You won't marry any one else!' he
suggested.
DO you expect me to promise thatT
she retorted. Why, it would spoil
all the fun
Very poor fun!
That depends on how you look at
IT,, she answered. But, listen, Ber-
ME! my time hasn't begun yet Paul
inc will be married in a few months
anyhow, she is sure to be Lady
| Strachan before Christmas. l am
looking forward to next season, and
after that
'Well?' he cried eagerly.
why. I'll write you a nice long
letter to India telling you my expert
ences, some of them, at least
| Bernard left the house less cheerful
ly than he had entered it, and reach
ing home, gave Joan a melancholy
account of his interview.
1t was like pouring cold water
down fellows back he said.
You did not actually ask her.
/ only threw out sort of hint
he explained.
He mooned dejectedly about the
room for some time and just as the
church bells were ceasing, Wray ar
rived Bernard offered a limp hand
and frigid greeting, but soon aft
erwards he left the drawing room.
L hope | am not wearing out your
patience said Wray. but the fact is
| seem to gravitate here. somehow
1T is natural you should feel lit
tie restless today she answered.
| why?
AT tomorrows prospect. Confess
you are a wee bit apprehensive,'
Mo-, he said. L don't think
am
| A little-how shall | put TIA lit
tie curious as to the manner of your
reception. You must be. or you would
not go. If you felt sure there would
be no scene, there would be no OBJ
ject in going.
It's true Wray admitted 4 shall
be pleased when il is over.
You can't forecast Pauline's ac-
ton,
I realize there's an element Of un
certainty, he said.
You expect to find her sympathet.
ic, although she has been the cause
of your tribulation.
I fancy | shall soon convince her
| am not broken-hearted he said.
with a smile.
1T is pity your conduct should
seem TO belle your words
oh. we'll he answered, L can't
exactly to tell her. can ~
I shall be quite curious to hear
the result said Joan.
May | come here afterwards
If you really don't mind she an
swered
Surely you know it is my greatest
! pleasure TO come he said eagerly
BY the by exclaimed Joan. |
want you for Wednesday afternoon.
| expect a few people-quite an in
formal affair. | have invited the
Cathcarts. You don't mind meeting
Pauline
Not at all-at least
If you survive tomorrow she
cried.
I hope to live to fight another day.
he said.
% Wray.' Joan answered gravely.
you would be far more discreet to
run away again
How ones outlook changes,' he
said. after a short silence 1 some
times try to speculate how things
would have turned out if | had not
made a fool of myself at one-and-
twenty
| 4 WONDER
If l had stayed on at Oxford and
come home and lived near TO your
people and you-
Speculation is little vain, wray,'
she murmured.
Yet, the curious part of it is he
continued. that it's difficult to wish
things had happened differently
is it?' she asked
You see Joan, a mans life seems
| like a mosaic. If you take out one
or two cubes, you spoil the whole
| show
Then you feel perfectly satisfied
with the completed work. Joan sug-
| gested.
1T is not completed yet said Wray.
You are contented as far as IT has
! gone?'
AT least. am perfectly contented
with this moment he answered. The
question is. shall | be permitted to
| finish the design
You are still ambitious. Them
Very said Wray.
Because I had the idea she re-
torted. that your aim was rather COM
monplace.'
What is it?' he asked.
m ~ ~, orrv m coftlo down