Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-11-03

inc faint or something o. the sorty'
Yes
Didn't she faint in Mr.. Water
houses armsY'
Yes, he muttered again. looking
very uncomfortable under her ques-
lions. Amabel became thoughtful
for a moment.
It's little difficult to imagine
Paulines doing that kind OF thing,
| she said. she doesn't often give
herself away. | can almost as easily
fancy the Venus of Milo yielding TO
emotion. Why did she faint, Gilbert?'
Gilbert gnawed his mustache in
silence.
i am sure she has never done It
before or since, Amabel persisted.
What caused it?'
L think there was a sort of explain
alton between them that night, he an
swered. And and Afterwards
Tney stood up for their last dance
together Immensely romantic, isn't
ii, Gilbert?
The fact was we all took IT for
granted Warehouse would marry
your sister, he blurted out
Well suppose for once in a way
you were all right. cried Amabel.
No doubt Mr.. Warehouse would
have married Pauline if he had not
had the misfortune to possess a wife
already
The man was scoundrel!' Gilbert
| exclaimed
And, Of course. you are not in the
least prejudiced.'
Whether am prejudiced or not, no
one can deny the man was a scoun-
drel!'
Anyhow. he behaved well in going
away Amabel suggested.
He ought not to have come cried
Gilbert
But when he came he wasn't even
aware of Pauline's existence The
fame of the Cathcarts hadn't reached
his ears.
why on earth are you attempting
to defend him?' he demanded
L am lover of justice. she said
with a laugh. 1 have never seen
Wray Waterhouse, but | picture him
as romantic figure Besides, |
have heard Mrs. VenaOles extol him.
And, after ALL you know. Gilbert, as
soon as he saw Pauline was-was
growing so fond of him. he went
away What more could the man
do?'
Gilbert rose impatiently.
You are rubbing ii into a fellow
he muttered
It's the best way to heal a wound.
she cried
Anyhow. said Gilbert. sitting down
again. It's two years since Water
house went away
And you are faithful still The in
cident made no difference to you
Amabel suggested
All the difference in the world.
he said.
But still
If you mean, do I still want to
make a fool of myself. don't want
to ask her to be my wife until
'Well?' she said.
You don't help one out much, he
demonstrated But I wanted to know
whether-well whether she has for
gotten
All, forgotten said Amabel.
You don't believe she has forgot
ten him, he urged
One may remember with a differ
ence. YOU know. said Amabel. Only,
Pauline is so absurdly scrupulous.
'Absurdly-'
oh, pray don't be so painfully pre-
else. she exclaimed. You know what
she is as well as | do. She is quite
priggish
Pallinei Gilbert calculated
About anything to do with mar
riage
I know she wouldn't marry any
man unless he stood first in the
world said Gilbert seriously.
But then. il is so easy to push any
one 10 the front Amabel retorted.
L always feel am perfectly safe
with Pauline he answered Never
mind what has gone before, If she
only says she1l marry me. / know
well. | know it's all right. Only. you
see. | don't want 10 throw away a
chance. I thought you might help
me to find ont how the land lies
have been in London off and on the
last three months. and | want TO get
back TO Horsemere.'
To ride your hobby
Call IL that if you like. he said
TO my mind. it's the most important
work a man can do in England at
the present time
What is?' she asked
You understand want to keep the
men-the young men on the land he
explained.
Doesn't that sound rather as In
they we're vegetables!
I want to prevent them from flock
ing to the overcrowded towns he
said
Why shouldn't they, IL they have
the good taste to like the towns
better?' she cried.
of course, every one has the right
to please himself said Gilbert That's
the modern creed But no man can
get over the facts. After two or three