Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-10-06

pledueu, SO penltchlly tndt my WRATH
melted almost at once. II am sc
ashamed Of myself l don't know what
came over me. 1t Mas just--just when
you dropped the sixpence that the
thought struck me that he might open
the box and let my roses all get with
cred; not open it to steal anything. you
know. but just To see if | was sending "a
frisette, or false teeth, or something.
And you know he did look-look a
little"
~Fast-yes. Emmeline. you are right;
he did look fast, and | wish l had not
spoken to him. | should not have al
lowed myself to be persuaded by a girl
of your age, who knows 50 little of the
wickedness OF the world. l wish thai
sixpence hadn't fallen upon the rails,
too.
We'll, we'll, no use crying over spilled
milk, dear; he has it now. and it wouldn't
be much use trying To get it back from
him, / expect. Ha. hal What an adj.
venture it has been, TO be sure! I'll
make Trot laugh over it all the evening
and I'll take you Off. aunt Netty. trying
to snub that wicked young man wlien he
made eyes at you! Oh, feel that l can
take you off to the life, and / will, tool"
1t was evidently of no use whatever
trying to make Emmeline look at the in.
cident from serious point of view. Ii
was Of no use even asking her TO keep il
from the others. for she would talk OF
nothing else. And, what is more, she
did take me off to the life, the others de-
cared, though | must say that l myself
did not see the likeness, or hear that she
had caught TO a note the tone of my
voice when | try to be overpoweringly
dignifed. as they said she had How
ever, it amused NV sisters immensely,
and of course | was very glad to be able
thus to contribute so easily to their en-
joyment. But l noticed that though
Janet pronounced her daughter to be the
cleverest little mimic she had ever met,
and Dotty complained OF a stitch in her
side'from laughter, the performance did
not amuse my little Trot in the least.
She sat all the time, her fingers busy
with her work, not ripple of q smile
once crossing her sweet pale face. In-
deei, her gravity was so marked that
felt sure Emmelne must have noticed it,
and dreaded every moment that she
would ask question or make com.
ment that might cause the explosion
which We were all trying with such 70.
,erish anxiety 20 avert. But she fortu-
nately said nothing until Trot and two or
three of the Others had left the room.
Then she came to my side and said, in
Tow. troubled tome
Aunt Netty. do YOU know what is the
matter with Trot: IL have noticed a
great change in her during the last few
days She has become so quiet and
and reserved, as If she had some secret
anxiety IL have fancied too, though
l ;un sure | must be wrong. that she has
tried TOTO avoid me at times.
-Trot is not very well. Emmeline," /
answered. after little pause; "she has
not been herself all the summer, in fact,
SO Peggy has decided on taking her for a
few weeks to the seaside. You-you
must not mind e change you see in her,
Emmy, or--or make any remark to her
about il; she--she dislikes having il no.
ticed. In month or SO We hor= 10 bring
her home quite her own bright self
again.
Aunt Netty"-clasping my hands
she shou!d net Get bet.
tef-if this 81 ould be tie beginning or 4
fever or ANYTHING serious like that-will
You promise-promse t. send for me to
nurse her as | nursed dear PAil-will
you? Ali"
She stopped with little scream. and
n &, that Tot was standing by my side
had been there | knew not how long,
Tor the room was almost in darkness.
We've were talking, Trot. of that
little girl at the Humphreys lodge. aunt
1eits's protegee. who had been ailing
'Or the past week, Emmeline explained
Folubly.
Have you. Emmeline7-
Unconsciously | gripped the girl
and glanced appealingly AT
Pills wife, who moved away. hummine
/ waltz tune.
"Netly. what are you afraid Off" Trof
sked, with bitter laugh. "Do you
hink that. because-because let myself
Freak down before YOU who love me. |
ave not sufficient prid- and courage LEFT |
o uphold me before her' Do you thins
hat should degrade myself by handy.
ng abuse with woman Ike that? Oh, |
10 not fear; tell the others not TO fear
lot to watch me as they dol 1t hurts
ne. Netty; il hurts mel Tell them there
' u l'c no scene between Us now or everi'
On. Trot, plead ed, iii / coul,l con
1nce you how wrong you ars-if could
how YOU"
But her hot hand closed my mouth.
~liush-it's of no use; you couldn't
onvince mel You could show me moth.
* hut what | know. Let us not talk Of
again. lie will come to take her "A ay
'on. suppose. Then we shall all bs
Apply again. dear.
I'S. supposed he would arrive soon.
pr the next morning the second half OF
ie thousand pounds. about the transfer
which there had been much trouble
nd delay, was at last to he forward d Il
uS;ralia by Enmeline. and she talke
nothing but the date OF his arrival.
Very much relieved by the explanation
18th Irot and by the fact OF the two
ourg people quietly avoiding one an.
ther. We let things take their cours,
llrfuo flta fs4sx rar,.f..t.., y 49,. A..