Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-12-29
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A Novel by
THOMAS COBB
Author of
mi. Passingham, j." "The Judgment
of Helen" Etc.

You think Mr.. Waterhouse should
be off with the old love-
That is off,, said Amabel decidedly.
Yet you would prefer he did not
meet Pauline answered Joan, rather
eagerly.
L am half afraid
What of. Amabel?'
Lest she may
she surely would never break with
Sir Gilbert!'
oh. no, of course, but still
Here is Mr. Waterhouse,' whisper
ed Joan; and, at the same moment
Mrs. Bishop came up with partner
for Amabel.
Bright, isn't shell! said Wray, as
she was led away.
BY the by. Wray' said Joan, dis
regarding his remark, does it occur
to you that although Pauline may
have changed. she can hardly fail to
regard you as the most constant OF
mem
We'll, | have thought about it,
he admitted.
You see, you wrote to Mrs. Cath
cart as soon as you knew that you
were free; you lost no time in return
ing to England; and now you persist
Ia going to her, Notwithstanding her
engagement TO Sir Gilbert and the
fact that you seem to be finding con
ISOLATION
should not put it exactly in that
way he said.
How them
We'll, | allow myself TO dream-it
is hardly more than a dream. Do you
ever dream?' he asked
Not very often,' Joan answered,
and they began to dance.
CHAPTER X.
Well, how did you enjoy the dance,
Bernardo asked Joan, as he stood
in the garden lighting his pipe the
following morning.
The beastliest evening ever
spent, he exclaimed.
'Why?' she demanded.
of course, Amabel has right to
do as she likes he grumbled.
Yes, naturally. But you have GER
tainly no right TO show your displeas-
ure
Oh didn't show it, he said quick
ly L took good care Of that
Joan looked up into his face with
laugh, but a minute later her preoc-
cupied expression returned.
Tell me frankly she said. have
you any reason TO think Amabel
cares for your
Well, | used to think So
But what do you think now?' she
insisted.
You saw how she carried on last
night, he said
oh. you make too much of that
sort of thing. Bernard. Because
girl INDUCES in a mild hirtation-'
You call it mild.' he exclaimed.
Now want to talk seriously
Joan continued, and intend 70 begin
with solemn warning. You ought TO
know what Amabel is by this time
The jolliest girl in the world, if it
comes to that he answered.
oh yes, she is rather nice, no
doubt. But she's just a little anxious
to make men think so. She loves
admiration, and she's more vain than
any peacock
I say, Aunt Joan.' Bernard remon-
strated.
And, continued Joan, she is as full
of mischief as a torpedo.
L think you are a little rough on
Aer, you know Bernard protested.
1 promised TO begin with a warn
ing, she said This is the warning
What | want to impress upon you is
that she is the last girl in the world
you ought to marry
Il wish | had half chance, he an
swered.
TO begin with, you are horribly
jealous, said Joan.
I'm not exactly jealous, he ex-
planned There's nobody less jealous
than | am. really, you know Only
it's rather tantalizing TO look on at a
race with your legs tied
II must be- admitted Joan.
And then, you see, Amabel knows
I'm not in the running. She knows
I'm playing hopeless kind of game
4 am not sure it need be hopeless
Joan answered quietly.
Bernard came TO a sudden stand
still in the middle of the path along
which they had been strolling. He
took his pipe from his mouth and
stared blankly into Joan's face.
You don't mean to say you are
going to
'What?' she demanded as he hest
tated.
Toto marry
Certainly not Joan answered en-
phatically. You should not try to be
more foolish than you can help, you
know, Bernard
4 don't see anything foolish about
It, he retorted.
You may take my word that there
Is nothing less likely, she insisted
Then I don't see ! stand much
chance he exclaimed.
She looked little embarrassed az
she continued
I have been thinking the matter
over. You know how matters stand