Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-09-15

would really think that this blow fel
not 30 heavily upon me as 1t does upor
the rest OF YOU As IL ] wouldn't rather
have our sweet little Trot for a daughter
in-law with only her six thousand pounds
than this beauty with her thirty-forty
II don't know how much-ay. twenty
times overt And it's a shame, say
flush, hush! Here she comes
Before we had time TO move an inch
or Ia think Of hiding the letter. Trot wa
among us
whats the matter;T she asked il
alarm. "Why, Hetty, YOU look ss
you had been cryingi Ah"-with a low
quick cry as her glance fell upon III,
paper in Janet's lap" there'e-there's 8
letter from Australia Bad news-he'i
ill--deadf Some one tell me-quick !"
We all glanced at the mother. who
answered. with crimson face, stsmmsr
ing. painfully
NO. Trot-no; th--the letter IA from
himself He is quite ~eli-now, / i
thank lleaven!"
@Ihen what is the matter-the mys-
terry: Why hasn't he written before'
Where nv letter ?"-.natching the sheet
from Janets knee. a suppose ! may
read what he says-eh =
covered my face with my hands,
think We All covered our faces with our
hands but painful fascination made us
drop them again 10 watch 1rot as shs
read the dreadful. dreadful letter. Peggy
moved closer. put AN arm round tho
girls shoulder 10 support her In case she
should faint. But she Gid not faint AZ
all she did not cry or moan or make any
display of emotion. only turned very
pale and began 10 bite Ter under lip She
was a long time rea ling the letter-hours,
DAYS, it seemed 10 me When il was
done at last. she laid it hack in Jsnet's
lap and said, with n little quiverins
laugh that went through me
Well. this is great strange news. isn't
iti Nou-you none IF YOU expected thus
explanation Of his silence, did your"
She turned TO us: but We were all cry
ing without DISGUISE. and poor Peggy
sllpDed awav altogether
Aunt Janet. am glad for YOU: il
must be such s-relief after the terrible
suspense you've all have been through.
You know at times We couldn't help
dreadng the worst. only We've didn't
admit ii TO each other-dreading he was
dead. And now to hear that he is not
dead at all. but only married, and well,
and happy married To girl he loves.
good. beautiful, rich. and able To come
home whenever he likes! 1t is good news
FOR you. aunt Jsnet!"
NV dearest girl Jane. broke in, fold.
ing her IN hystericsl embrace. Il bles.
you for those noble words-they soothe
nv breaking heartl On. some instinct
told me YOU would take it like thsl
knew YOU would bear him no ilI-will for
thlng-a thing he couldn't helpl !
knew YOU would not consider that there
was any binding engagement be.
tween
Between Phil ahs me1--lightly
quickly. why. Of course not, au t ia.
net! | thought every one understood
that until ! WAS one-and-twenty, | " - as
free AS he WAS To- marry any one that
took my fancy. Surely every one un.
derstood that II wore no engagement
ring even -
We'll. the others pretend they didn't
Trot; they say that Phil has treated you
shamefully. behaved like a"
Hold your tongue. Janet!" burst In
anCriiy. Il vii not listen 20 another
word on the subject. Come along. Trot
my dear; I've sept y cup Of tea hot foI
you IA tie schootroom
rot followed m- out. bat instinc.
lively STOPPED n. the turn that led t.
iei room. glanced hurriedly AVA
from the pole pi,r.l- face, then sn.
sWerri the uuspoAeu anp"1l.
"N.ll. ve,. Won are rl-ht: il is too late
~ tea, lrot Quarter past six | ha0
no idea it was 50 iate
She took few step, upward. then
turned, laying her hand upon my shout.
der
"Netty. love- size whispered. -don'
fret too much about II. We--we migufn'I
have been happy, yon know. and ,rh
would have been worse for YOU all. Tel
the others-t-ll Peggy not TO fret II
really don't miud-much.
Oh. but knew hett-r-I knew better.
my own dear. brave little iuaidi
a week went by The Disseminating
news had somehow filtered through ouI
circle ~ fri- is. snd Trnt had had the
courage to appesr At n tennis party and
meet the pin NIng chances 81 the people
who had congratulated her so warmly
two wears 90 tore. Then. "u the Fri ~
following the Australia nal brought
second l,itrr tina; almost rew us into
the same slate OF sgitatiu and rebellion
IA the hr.i Ii was hurried scraWl
q. ain frnu Phil informiu,. u, that he had
not waited for tie ausWrr 10 his appeal.
,liat he and hi> bride ha., intendr 10
take uS -, storm tliat Ncr, week. arriv.
ing by the mail that brought the letter
they had started. il seemed. for Mel
bourne. take their cabins. aud. at the
last moment Just two hours before the
vessel Mas To sail. PM received tele
gram FROM lbs partner summoning him
at once up country or business and urg.
ny him to wire To- Europe for the remit.
tauce Of his second thousand After
half distracted consultation between hus-
haud and wife. the former decided on
sen ing hi~ poor Enmeline home bv the
mail. to be sustained by the love aud care
~ nis dear II mother and aunts. rather