Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-02

nificantly. And now you're trying to
help Strachan.'
Well she cried. beating her foot
on the carpet.
To help Strachan fight against Wat
erhouse tool
You make II rather difficult to send
the letter. Joan exclaimed
I wouldn't, II I were you he said.
Rising impetuously, Joan stepped
towards the bell
4 will send one of the servants
she said.
oh. I'll take II. IL it's got to CO. he
ing a fellow 10 deliver his own death
warrant
She regarded him little contempt
uously.
Do you mean to tell me, she de-
manded. that as things stand at pres
ent, you believe Wray will marry
Pauline
Yes, he answered.
But you are afraid that If Paul
Inc comes back to her allegiance
After ALL he exclaimed more cheer
fully, i don't see how you can make
her marry Strachan If she don't want
to-
But II she should, you think Wray
will seek consolation from Amabel,'
she insisted.
He just wants to settle down. said
Bernard
And you imagine seriously tina,
Amabel would accept him.
oh, | don't know what l think
cried Bernard impetuously. only
know the Johnny's beastly nuisance,
and | hoped he was done with. Once
upon time | fancied@
What did you fancy?'
| We'll, ] had an idea that you
| You thought | wanted to Oh.
you say the most atrocious things!
So, in plain English said Joan, with
a face the color of a peony, you
imagine | am intriguing for my own
my own advantage
L think | may as we'll start he
answered, holding out hand for the
| letter.
He was discreet enough to perceive
that the topic could not be purEued
| with safety. He devoutly wished that
she had refrained from interference,
and it seemed rather hard that he
| should be called upon to aid in her
attempt, whatever it's nature might
be.
Bernard set forth in disconnected
humor, the mission scarcely seeming
sofl.
since the recent improvement in his
affairs. 1t happened, however, that
Gilbert was staying at the second
hotel which Bernard tried.
Strachan received the letter while
the boots was strapping his portman-
teau, and at first he hesitated how
TO act. fqe had arranged to leave
London this evening, but, on the
whole, he decided to delay his de-
parture until Thursday morning. He
reached Regents Park few minutes
after Joan had left the dinner-table.
and she was struck by the change in
his appearance. They had not met
for some months: but If she had seen
him three days ago, the alteration
would have been as noticeable. He
could not sleep. he could not eat
He thought only of one subject.
Joan held his hand a moment, and
spoke a few sympathetic words
L have known Pauline Cathcart a
long time, she continued. 1 think
I understand her better than most
persons
So do L. said Gilbert
You will never understand even
the most ordinary women, Joan re-
torted. You are too-well too sin
pie. too direct
The present CASE looks simple
enough
Suppose you tel me all about IL
before we go any further, she urged.
i am afraid
L think may be able to give you
good advice, she said. Now sit down,
and tell me oil about -
After a little hesitation, Gilbert sat
down. He was not accustomed to
cry his troubles abroad: but by dint
of skilfull and always sympathetic
questions. Joan soon began to master
the details of what had occurred.
1t must have been rather shock |
to YOU she said presently
'Amabel had prepared me to some |
extent he answered ruefully
Now, who was it that actually |
broke off the engagement? Joan de
manded Was it Pauline?'
Well don't know that She
She did not tell you in so many |
words she would not marry you? /
said Joan.
She insisted that she had been en-.
trapped
Upon that you offered to release
herr
OF course
SO that it was actually you who
fhrnH,L Daulinn nNari, I