Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-12-15
SCRUPLES.
-
A Novel by
THOMAS COBB
Author of
"MI. Passingham," "The Judgment
of Helen" Etc.

Take my advice. she returned
BE wise for once. Let sleeping dogs
lie. Wray'
i am going to see her on Thursday
afternoon he said.
Now why?' asked Joan quickly
What is TO be gained by that?'
We are bound to meet
Not at all
We both know the same people.
Oh it's inevitable we should run
across each other. Wray insisted
Then wait until chance brings you
into contact Joan urged.
4 think | shall keep chance out OF
It, he said Better to get it over in
discreet privacy
Then you fear another
1 can't put aside the possibility
You think Pauline may lose her
head a second time?' said Joan,
4 shall never forget the first he
muttered
Although she is affianced to Sir
Gilbert Oughtn't that TO make
difference?' Joan suggested
Il think l will keep on the safe
side he insisted. 1t is better all
round; shall go on Thursday
Joan regarded him obviously.
4 wonder. she began. and hest
tated L wonder whether you really
are sorry
You told me l didn't look broken
hearted
Perhaps | judged specifically. It
may be you are not quite hopeless
yet
You see, he said in a confidential
tone, I'm something like a man who
has entered into an engagements
little unwillingly, perhaps
'Ahi'
"A little unwillingly,' he continued,
but who has grown used TO the idea
OF fulfilling it, and arranged his plans
accordingly. So that it seemed rather
a-well, bore, TO have them knock
ed on the head; just for the moment,
you. understand
She looked full into his eyes.
Only a bore she asked. Nothing
more than that?
Nothing whatsoever
Then, honestly-there is nothing to
prevent candor now. you know-hon-
estly, you don't feel a single regret?
Wray rose and came TO her side.
Il don't think | was ever quite so
phatically.
Still she exclaimed. I think you
will be tempting Fate If you go to
Gloucester Place on Thursday
No he answered 4 have consid.
cred 1t, and 1t is better 10 60
VIII you come here afterwards?
If | may
1 am not asking too much?" she
suggested.
That is. absolutely impossible.
'Wray. Wray, be careful, she cried,
looking up merrily into his face.
1 find that little difficult, he an.
Ewered.
i may put you to test
sincerely wish you would. he
said. ~s-eak.<zsssSsSSss>s '.ssscasssg-Sx
Now, what shall begin with? she
answered 'Unless-yes, you shall go
TO Mrs. Bishops dance on Friday
He laughed rather deprecatingly
4 remember the last time, he cried.
DO you think history is likely to
repeat itself?'
I intend to take precautions, he
retorted.
Anyway. you flatter yourself that
Pauline still
No, no. he said. You must not
think that 1t is difficult to explain.
l thought nothing of the kind, only
our first meeting can hardly fail
to be little emotional
We'll, | shall tell Mrs. Bishop to
send you a card Joan answered, and
she accompanied him through the hall
and forth into the garden towards the
gate which gave upon the street.
What delightful place you have
here,' he said. stopping beneath
shady tree.
And ii is delightful TO be at home
once more she rejoined 4 feel |
shouldn't mind IL never left it again.
and yet
'Well?' he asked, STOPPING by her
side, as she continued her way to-
wards the gate.
oh, it's wee bit lonely sometimes
Joan murmured.
don't fancy you are often mel
ancholy'
How shallow you must think me
them she retorted.
Surely that doesn't followl'
Can any one who thinks at all live
in city like this and not sometimes
be overcome by sheer despair and
dismay.' she cried.
30 yet we trust that somehow
good will be the final goal OF ILL.,
Wray quoted.
IT you let me take you for walk
one day. you will find it requires a
large faith, she answered But we
will talk about IL another tim2.
Goodbye she said. and he stepped
out at the gate.
Any one suffering from Kidney pains
backache, bladder trouble or rheumatism
who will take a dose of Pine-ules upon re