Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-09-29


what had tended 20 remove our first IA
vorable impression, not one of US could
satisfactorily state, though we sat in con-
clave over tine question often enough,
goodness knows.
However, Janet's affection and delight
IN the girl increased day by d,y the res
frain of her attractions, now aud ti.en
varied by slightly disparaging compari-
sons at our Trots expense. was continue
ously kept up. And we had TO agree
that there was no questioning the young
wifes deep love for and entire trust in
her unworthy husband. The tremulous
anxiety AMI delight she had shown over
his letters during the first week, which |
thought rather overdone and affected al
the moment, remained just as marked as
time weat hY.
On mail mornings she was really like
figure on wires, in and out of the room,
up and down the stairs twenty times in
hall AN hour. and one day saw her start
impuIsvsly from her favorte seat at the
lobby window and, before could attempt
remembrance, ca~t .iown stairs and cross
the sodden lawn, IN an almost binding
torrent Of rain, the moment the postman
appeared at the ledge gate. AS we'll as
can remember, it was on the evening
of this very day that a circumstance oc-
CURED which distu. BED and excited us
al very unpleasantly, and which proved,
alas, how unerring was our Dotty's
Judgment
The rain continued SO depressingiv,
nd OH L. dc lot
Janet suggested fire in the drawing
room, which suggestion we all supported
briskly; and, two girl frie.ds of Irot's
dropping in to consult her about some
bazaar work they had jointly under
taken. we persuaded them to spend the
rest of the afternoon WITH us. AFTER zee
we all produced our work baskets. knit
ting-needles, et-cPterd. and GATHERED
round the hearth, thoroughly enjoying
the CHEEKY blaze. Emmelne was the
only idle member Of the party; she was
lying on the rug, playing with a pair OF
Peggy's kittens.
Florry Bertram asked, leaning forward
to look at some silky glitterIng. object
that Emmeline was trailing on the rug to
amuse the pussies. lit seems a. very
pretty bit of work May look at it,
please"
with pleasure"-holding it up for hea
inspection. 1t is a netted purse, worked
in silk and beads, you see
"Why, know that purseN exclaimed
the girl impulsively. Il remember even
working at it myself Somebody here
must have given it to YOU
oh, no!"-with a soft little sigh. |
Somebody very far away gave it N !
me"
looked up and'saw that it was purse
the purse that Trot had made AS "a part.
ing gift for her lover before he started
for Australia. and that he had deiared to
J Ell should never leave the pocket near.
est to his heart until lac could bring Il
back filled with some of the gold thai
was to purchase him the happiness of his
life. l stared at it, doubling the evil
dence OF my own eyes. | leaned for.
ward, sharply meeting the heads of two
OF my sisters advanced for the same
purpose, and examining the center.
where his initials | knew had been
woven. They were there! Ii was the
identical pursel Drawing hastily back,
caught glimpse of Florry Bertram's
startled face. | saw that she realized
the wantonness Of the outrage Eustace
Bro" nrigg's so had been guilty of.
After seco ID or two glanced toward
the tea-table where Trot sat. saw a
little crimson face bent low over its
work; l saw two tens drop heavily, and
felt that. had met my nephew at that
moment. | should have kill him
Presently Florry Dertrams voice, high
and Hurried, reac ed me indistnctly.
Thank you-er-Mrs. Brownricg: it's
very pretty purse indeed but it's not
The purse | saw befUre the-the silk ia
quite different shdle, aud the pattern
IL the bead embroidery is quite different
90 AT the first glance, / thought il
ooEed rather like
well. II might be the same. Won
inow," Emmeline answered carelessly.
ossing it up like a ball, for it was nv
husband who gave it to me. and know
t was worked for him by some young
ady or other. l knew it-ha. ha!-the
moment spied IL thrust away in a dim
corner Of his WARDROBE, aud then when
re denied the charge-at least, denied
hat lie set the least value on it, with two
n three naughty, naughty wor ls-all
ny doubts were set at rest, and ordered
Iim to hand it over to me at once.
Which lie did without the slightest de. .
nur. o.. tickle is the heart of man
snt it, Miss Bertram
do not know how muck longer we D.
at there. or what any one else said: but
fter time / became conscious of the .
act that our visitors were taking their
cave. watched Trot help them to fas. d
en- up their waterproof cloaks, exchange q
merry jest, then stand with dazed =
ushed face looking: after them 40 they
urried down the avenue, until Emme- n
ne. absently twisting the hateful purse d
trough her fingers, came up aud slipped 4,
err arm round her waist. 1hen for the II
rst time saw her release lerseIf with 9
shrinking movement and run rather
uickly up the stairs, humming a tune a.
size went :,
II 81 4 n | Al