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

Then Joan sank into chair with a
sigh OF relief
Tired?' asked wray. standing by
her side.
Just little The afternoon is so
hot. isn't it,
7 fancy I'm I'm rather warm place.
he exclaimed. You perceive the diff
fculty'
Sir Gilbert makes the loudest call
ON my sympathies,' said Joan.
No one can be more sorry than I.
cried Wray.
AT least She suggested. you have
no personal interest in the AFFAIR
oh, we'll
Paulme's conduct can make no
earthly difference to YOU Joan in
sisted.
7 fear 1t scarcely leaves me an al
tentative he answered. sitting down
dejectedly.
7 cannot see
Pauline stands precisely where she
did that night two years ago
| On that occasion she fell-into
| your arms Joan -retorted.
| She has thrown Strachan over on
| my account
| Then you mean TO marry Pauline!
she cried, with vivid flush.
Gould any man of honor hesitate
for moment?' Wray demanded.
What is honor, Wray?' she asked
leaning back languidly in her chair.
A sort Of unwritten code, | sup.
pose
OR is il merely va,iity?' she demand
ed A desire for applause
For ones own applause. then!
imagine it's a matter of feeling If
we were to attempt TO reason 1t,
dare say you could convince me-
by all means let MS reason!' Joan
exclaimed.
Il still should be ashamed TO act
differently he insisted. The mo.
ment Amabel told me what had hap
pened I saw my fate was sealed
oh, well, it is a good thing to have
It settled she cried.
Pauline was engaged to Strachan,'
Wray urged. AS soon as she knew
was free, she put an end to her en-
gagement. In the face of that. can
you advise me to hold baek?'
She looked down at the grass at
her feet. The trees cast lengthening
shadows on the earth, a faint but In
creasing breeze rustled their leaves.
After long silence, Joan said
Once or twice you have limited
barely hinted-'
'Yes?'
AT somebody else
Well he urged.
1t occurred TO me, you may owe
something TOTO her-as well as to
Pauline
Wray shook his head. No. he an
swered laconically.
Why not, Wray?
4 drew my bill he said, but it has
not been accepted
You are-quite sure about that?
she asked.
Quite
How can you feel certain?' she
asked
"A word to the wise suffices, you
know
oh, but are you wiser Joan ex-
claimed Indeed, | think you are
more than foolish
He leaned forward with a grave
face
Honestly he said, 4 see no way
out of it. | ought not even to be
speaking in this way to you. You
cannot seriously advise me TO act
otherwise, Joan
My advice is valueless,' she au-
swered
Your approval is very important
he insisted.
4 can't agree with you she said;
but. of course, every man is law UNI
to himself
You see. want to obey the law
She smiled, very family.
4 think you are as bad as Paul
inc she said You are both extreme
ly Irritating. But if you think it is
your duty
L do
Then | cannot wish you to fail in
it
Thank you he said, and for several
minutes they remained solemnly ST.
lent.
Then Wray rose.
L fancy we are going to have a
storm he remarked.
Tt has become very oppressive she
agreed
Wray held forth his right hand.
Goodbye. Joan
Goodbye. Wray.' she said, and he |
walked slowly towards the gate.
CHAPTER XVIII
Joan did not sit down again. Walk |
ing towards the house, she went TO |
the morning-room. where she usually |
wrote letters. and. resting an elbow
on the mantel shelf, she fell into a
brown study.
Ten minutes later she crossed the
room. and sat down at the secretary.
She took a sheet of notepaper and
pen: she dipped this in the ink and /
paused again. Then she began to
write, and. having sealed the letter