Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-23
Continued from last week.

if he only desired to go away again
But the door was closed the next
moment, and he had no alternative
but to advance into the room. He
recognized unusual embarrassment in
Amabels face as he coldly took her
hand.
L am going down to Horsemere,' he
stammered. i have to eaten the half
past five train-I thought I'd just look
in to say goodbye, you know.
Are you staying long timer ask
ed Amabel, quite herself again.
Only two or three days said Bern
ard.
Wray offered his right hand to Anna
bel.
4 shall come at the same hour to-
morrow he suggested.
Yes, please, she answered.
You think | shall be able to see
Mrs. Cathcart them
1 will ask her to stay at home, said
Amabel.
Wray nodded to Bernard, who took
the scantiest notice of him in return;
then he left the room. AS he door
closed, Bernard stood staring re-
proachfully at Amabet while she
looked demurely up into his face.
'Well?' she said, breaking the
somewhat oppressive silence.
L fancy / arrived at an unconven-
uonal moment Bernard insisted.
4 oh, very interesting.
Anyhow, you can get along with it
when Waterhouse comes tomorrow
oh dear no! There's no more to be
said she retorted. Not between him
and me, at least
Bernard stared her almost out Of
eountenance His cheeks looked flush
ed and swollen.
Am lam l to congratulate you?
he asked.
You may, if you like
L suppose it will come off rather
soon he muttered.
L don't suppose Wray will care TO
wait, she said, with laugh. i never
saw a man much more eager
He pressed his lips hard together;
his face was contorted. Suddenly
there was a quick catch in his breath,
and, turning his back, Bernard strobe
to one of the windows. His neck
was bowed, and his back in some
manner seemed to express the deep
est and most woeful detection.
Amabel's laugh rang out merrily.
He turned abruptly to face her.
For heavens sake, don't laugh at
a fellow!' he exclaimed
oh, Bernie. Bernie!' she cried.
L think | may as well be going he
said
Well, goodbye she answered. 1
hope you will have a good time
You've led me dogs life the last
few weeks he retorted.
And | thought we had such a de-
lightful month! said Amabel.
He breathed a portentous sigh.
Goodbye, he said, and stepped to-
wards the door.
1t would serve you right to let you
60 she cried, as he was about to
open it. oh, Bernie, what IA goose
you are!'
Il don't need telling that. I've been
a fool, he rejoined.
You need not be horrid as WELL
said Amabel What has poor Wray
done to annoy you"
'Wray! Bern~rd muttered.
why mott?
oh, Of Course
You see, he's going to be my broth
err she said.
Bernard returned to the middle of
the room. He threw his hat and stick
on the table He felt as if his hair
was standing on end.
Going to be your-your brother!'
he exclaimed
Yes said Amabel.
He is going to marry Pauline?'
She's the only sister l have, you
see.'
Good Lord!' cried Bernard, is that
what the Johnny was telling you?'
How many more times
why on earth did you make such a
fool of me-? he demanded.
You deserved to be punished, she
insisted. How could you imagine
SuCH a lulHb.
We'll, | don't know he returned;
4 fancy a good many people have
thought the same
Nonsense
After the way you've been going on
with him.
oh, one must amuse ones self,
she answered. The poor man requir-
ed distraction. You perceive he hasn't
suffered; and | am sure | have not
Is that true, Amabel?'
You ought to know, she said.
Look here, darling Bernard ex-
claimed, I'm going to put an end to
this sort of thing.
What sort of thing?
Amusing yourself, as you call it,
You'll have to kill me, then, Ber-
ME, she answered quietly.
You have done your best to settle
me, he retorted.
She looked up rather wistfully. 7
I didn't think you would take it
that you would feel il quite so deeply,