Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-02
SCRUPLES
-
A Novel by
THOMAS COBB
Author of
t1xFx Do...,,o,l,a,,, ~ tsTsha TudUv,nseS6
Author of
"MI. Passingham," "The Judgnsent
of Helen" Etc.
oOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Continued from last week.

Wray was Starlug into ner race
with the blankest dismay.
She can't be in earnest he cried.
Pauline is always in earnest. Sure
ly you have learned that, said Anna
bel.
We'll, I'm immensely sorry,' he an
swered, helplessly.
You ought to have gone back to
Africa
You certainly misled me- said
Wray after a short pause.
Now, have never misled anybody
in my life, Amabel retorted
You told me Pauline was-well.
that she was fond of her fiance'
L thought she was Amabel admit
ted.
And now!'
Amabel turned away with a shrug,
and Wray sauntered of amongst the
trees, in order to digest the informa-
tion alone. He looked extremely de-
jected, presenting marked contrast
in this regard to Bernard Bernard
was the most conspicuous of Joan's
guests this afternoon, and Amabel
liked her friends to be rather con-
spicuous. His tall, erect figure, his
yellow hair and youthful, fresh-look-
ing face, distinguished him from the
crowd, and moreover, he looked in
tensely pleased with himself and all
the world.
Mrs. Cathcart had been very gra-
sious to him; and she remarked upon
loans 'munificence, and actually re-
preached Bernard for coming so sell
dom to see her; and Mrs. Cathcart
full of the subject had told him about
Pauline.
So she's thrown Strachan over
board, he remarked, coming to ANA
bel.
You seem pleased she suggested.
I'm awfully sorry for Strachan, he
FASTENED to declare.
You don't look sorry said Amabel.
of course, Pauline'll marry the 9TH
er Johnny. he exclaimed.
You think she WILL
We'll, why did she chuck poor old
6tMchan, you know
Pauline has scruples,' said Amabel.
1t doesn't look like it!
Besides, she continued, you insist
ed that Mr.. Waterhouse was destined
for the honor of becoming your I'M
cle!'
oh, that's off, said Bernard.
Amabel broke into a low peal OF
laughter.
'Well?' he asked.
The idea of my being his niece
shs cried.
Upon my word. that's the incest
thing you've ever said to me, he an
sweIed enthusiastically
Wray, having wandered from the
rest. soon began to remember his
duty. For one thing. he ought to
speak to Mrs. Cathcart, a prospect of
which he stood a little in awe. She
would naturally be disposed to blame
him for what had occurred. and it
was surprise to find her more than
usually amiable.
She pressed his hand quite cordial
ly; and though they exchanged only
the most commonplace words, he left
her with the impression that he was
certainly not in disfavor. He looked
about for Joan. who was talking tc
Amabel with rather grave face.
L have just been speaking TO Mrs.
Cathcart,' said Joan.
oh, we have had the most excIt-
ing times at home answered Amabel.
But Pauline is better now. The fever
left her yesterday. She's almost as
tocile as am today
rs she repentant?' asked Joan
She looks quite wretched You
know, Pauline is rather clever at re.
pentance'
Anyhow, said Joan, she's off with
the old love-
'Amabel watched her face inteptly.
You forget she exclaimed, Mr..
Waterhouse was the old love-
They are two such peculiar people,
said Joan Pauline, who can commit
such conscientious atrocities, and our
Don Quixote there
Joan drew away as he drew near.
She shrank from meeting him at tic
moment, and as he passed Amabcf
he was intercepted
We were remarking on your rueful
countenance.' she cried
We'll. that's how | feel he an
swered.
Because my sister isn't going to;
marry Sir Gilbert! How quickly yon
change! You make one onvious'
I feel that circumstances are play
ing with me-, said Wray.
It's hardly play to Gilbert she re.
joined.
He looked quickly into her face.
You blame your sister, he asked.
I don't exactly blame her. said,
Amabel. of course. every one will
say she has behaved abominably.'
You don't think so Them
How can I say that. when know
she is doing exactly what she thinks
right? said Amabel
1t must be rather tantalizing. Wray
muttered, as the first guest babe Joan
goodbye.
He waited. while one by one they
left the garden. Mrs. Cathcart, stay.
To- l..