Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-10-13

HettN complained OF a tOucn OF ntI oib
enemy. neuralgia; Dotty. without any
accountable cause. had had very rest
less night; and Trot, ptle and heavy
eyed. was suffering from headache.
Emmeline was the only m 'mber Of the
party with uuclouled coumtenance aud
beaming eyes Particularly beaming,
indeed. for this happened to be the great
morning of her week-mnil morning.
To celebrate which she had fastened
bunch of bright red roses in her flowing
yellow hair, and sat in our glum circle
the incarnation of blooming happiness
and expectation.
Our meal over, we separated 10 our
usual morning emp'Jyments-Prggy to
superntend her packing. assisted 10y
Hetty for Peggy was starting for Brigh-
ton the next day; Dot to water Trors
fernery, which the child was too Ill to
undertake; and Emm-line to al idle
morning at the lobby window, watching
Tor the postman.
At about eleven o'c' ock, my household
orders disposed OF for the day, | went
down TO the drawing room to see how
Trot was getting on. found her sitting
in an easy chair, with closed eyes, the
pain somewhat eased: and was just in
the act Of refreshing wet bandage
Peggy had applied to ner forehead, when
sudden change in her face frightened
me-from dull pallor it flushed "A vivid
crimson, then, with IA little cry, she rose
quickly from her seat and fell senseless
at my feet
turned toward the door she had been
facing and saw my n~phew, Emmellnes
husband, crossing the threshold.
With "A cry as intense as the girls N
he rushed forward. his arms outstretched
as il to seize her; but had stree 9Th te
intervene.
: stop cried Indignantly. Not ar
inch closer Do you want to kill her al
together? Send the others-send help &c
me atonceL
He o6eyed without a word, and in an
other minute they were all around me
Hetty. Dotty, Peggy and the three ser
yants-in state OF incnherent excite
ment, wrathfully pu.hing the wretcheo
young man aside, for, notwithstanding
my remonstrance, he was sill struggling
to seize his victims hand. his face ano
attitude, l was glad to see, expressing
some sense Of shame.
go. GOO at once. sirl She is re
covering nowl" exclaimed Dotty, wher
at last the closed eyes opened with
long shudlering s,ct 1T is shameful
it is unpard0l..ole. your conduct
How dared yon arr i've IN such man
ner. without line, a word of warnlngE
, What 30 YOU mean?" he retorted, al
r,ost violently. What does this greet
ing meanI L; cane because you tele
graphed for met IL"
ave teegraphed for you-weY' ou
voices trembling with Indignation.
~Old Max ell then; it's the same
What has happened to YOU all Trot
Trot. let me-
-Enous IN of this. ST., enouchi II yor
have any sense of awe. any feeling OF
Of" ] began bitterly. when gsy,
with her face aflam., flew at him like
viraSo.
@You reich! How dare YOU stay here'
Go up at once to your wife-your wife
who"
ITO my wife," he repeated stupidity
ITO my What did you say, aun'
PeSgyi Ny"
Then Janet Interrupted him with q
scream, encircil,.s HIM with her arms.
~Oh, this is blissi Welcome-wecoms
at las: Our darling. where is she! Doe;
she not know? Oh, come To her-qWckV
Tim. AS he did not move as quickly az
she wished she carried from him into tia
hall loudly calling Emm-line's name.
-What does this mean?r he asked. 70
turning from the door, facing US with .
daz al dnmbfounded look. lis 1t Bed
lamp Oh. Trot. my love, pity me. ant
and tell me what il meansi"
lit means. - she ansW cred pantingly
1tlat you had better go up to your wife
at once. PHIL and see us afteri She
longing for you--
Something in his face made her halt
covering her own. He leaned slightly
toward her and asked in a whisper:
-Who is my wife Tell me her namer
-Emmeline Devereux. whom you mar
ried at Ballaratir
-Never heard Of the oman In my life!'
n There was moments complete silence.
Tiot rose to her feet and stood looking al
him.
Ntus ediu NJ bst WI "cSs
ing voice. "it's strange, your statement
for the lady has been here for the pas,
two months, bearing your name, wear
ing the wedding ring you placed OIL heI
finger. receiving letters from you BY
every mail.
-She has-she has"
And IT'S strange. too continued
Dotty holly, that you should have writ
ten yourself announcing thu fact. beg
ging us to forgive your treschery to Trot
explaining how you couldn't have helped
yourself, you loved this woman sol"
He answered not word, but look ed al
us with a deep frowning glance. hi,
hand grasping the back Of chair.
Come. Trot, this is no place for you'll
Peggy whispered.
mo, no-wait IA moment" Troi
answered, her eyes brightening-"wait 9
moment Phi-Phil, she murmured
with outstretched hands. what does il
lit mean1 Tell mel will believe youi'
The hard logged look faded from hi,
handsome face; lie made step forward,
tl.o., H., Hoolv