Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-01-12

SCRUPLES|
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A Novel by !
THOMAS COBB s
Author of I
"MI. Passingham," "The Judgment )
of Helen" Etc.
CONTINUED from last week

oh, dear! how you exaggerate it
ALL said Amabel. You should not
have seen the poor man at Mrs. Bish-
ops dance on Friday
Was he there?' asked Pauline
looking a little astonished.
You should not have supposed he
was suffering very acutely!'
He had heard l was going said
Pauline, with changed expression.
L don't imagine he thought Of you
in connection with it,
What memories a dance at that
house must have awakened
You see, | waltzed with him once
or twice dear
of course, you are my sister, said
Pauline.
Amabel sighed deeply. 1t seemed
hopeless to convince her. 1t did not
matter what she said, Pauline was al
ways able to explain away it's sig
nificance.' And yet her sisters mis-
take did not appear wholly egotistical.
1t was due less to any desire that
Wray should continue to worship at
her shrine than to an intense faith
in his constancy!
Did you tell Wray when you ex-
pected me homer Pauline asked.
Yes
What did he say?'
He insisted on coming at five
o'clock this afternoon, said Amabel;
1T is nearly five now
Pauline covered her face with her
hands again.
How can face him. she muir
INJURED.
We'll, don't forget you will have to
face Gilbert afterwards! said Amabel
significantly, and while she was
speaking Mrs. Cathcart entered the
room.
She looked perfectly fresh after
her journey, and there seemed a cal
culated cheerfulness in her manner.
My dear Pauline she said, how
pale and tired you look! Really quite
worn out l am sure your poor head
aches. Now. you must get rid of that
sort of thing before Gilbert arrives.
The best remedy is TO lie down, and
try to sleep it away.
Why didn't you tell me that Wray's
wife was dead, mother?' demanded
Pauline abruptly.
In the circumstances said Mrs.
Cathcart, 1. naturally, thought the
matter would possess not the slight
est interest,"
oh, YOU knew!'
1T certainly ought not
You knew that anything concern
ing Wray must always possess an in
terest to mel cried Pauline.
L repeat, that ii ought not
'Wray is coming this afternoonl'
Pauline interrupted
Mrs. Cathcart turned towards ANA
bel with a frown.
When Mr. Waterhouse comes, |
shall see him. she said.
L, too. shall see him. answered
Pauline.
Certainly not, Pauline. You must
not dream of it,
why must l not see Wray?'
1 cannot argue said Mrs. Cath
cart helplessly. But | entreat you
not TO see him. Mr.. Waterhouse is
aware of your engagement, and If he
possessed the slightest sense OF hon
Or
Wray is the most chivalrous gen.
tleman!' Pauline exclaimed. And
was not engaged when you receive
his letter.
Again Mrs CathGAyt fss~ned at Am
abel
1t is quite useless to excite our
selves, she said. Pray take my ad-
vice Lie down. and l will send up
a cup of tea
oh. why don't you deal honestly
with met cried Pauline and as she
spoke, Amabel stepped towards the
window.
Here is Mr.. Waterhouse, she said.
He has just got out of a cab
Pauline fastened towards the bed
room door.
Pauline-Pauline! exclaimed Mrs.
Cathcart
Yes mother!' she said, stopping on
the threshold.
Please let me see Mr.. Waterhouse!
have no objection to your seeing
him. was the answer.
'Alone? urged Mrs. Cathcart.
I must see him, mother
Pauline, you owe it to Gilbert
L owe something to myself-and
20 Wray, said Pauline.
She crossed the landing followed
helplessly by poor Mrs. Cathcart.
She descended the stairs very slowly,
and her hands trembled as she raised
them to press back her hair. One
reaching the drawing-room door, Mrs.
Cathcart attempted to enter first;
but as she pushed 1t back, Pauline
stepped before her.
CHAPTER XIII.
Way Warehouse stood between
the two windows. He had placed his
hat on the pianoforte, and was in the
act of drawing off his right-hand
glove on Pauline's entrance.
To an unprejudiced observer. Wray
showed no pronounced symptoms OF
IL. A.. 1.lN n. -