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

self-possession. But Pauline, resa I'd
ing him by the equivocal light of
preconceived opinion, saw a broken
hearted lover struggling. with admir-
able success, to hide the wound which
her hand had, alas! inflicted.
Carried away on one of those
Mrs. Cathcart had witnessed with
shame on another painful and more
public occasion, Pauline glided swiftly
towards Wray. Taking his right hand
in hers, she covered IL with her left.
She gazed pitifully into his face. Her
deep blue eyes were fearful. 1t was
an emotional and a very embarras-
sing moment. For a few seconds
Pauline could not speak.
oh, Wray, Wray.' she murmured
at last, what can l say to your
Mrs. Cathcart's voice broke in a
little discordantly.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Waterhouse,'
she cried loudly, and held out her
right hand so persistently that Paul
inc was fain to draw back.
II hope you are quite-quite
WE'LL Wray stammered, with an un-
pleasant conviction that he was by
no means equal to the situation.
quite well. thank YOU cried Mrs.
Cathcart We have Snly just return
ed from the country-Horsemere Sir
Gilbert Strachan's place, you know.
Pauline has had the most delightful
time
Wray turned again towards Paul
inc. L have to congratulate YOU he
said Believe me, | do so very sim
cerely
His careful lightness of tone stung
her to the quick But Mrs. Cathcart
permitted Pauline no opportunity to
speak.
My daughter is to be married very
soon,' she explained. Either the last
week in July, or the first in Au-
gust
Il did not know was not told you
had written!' Pauline interposed.
You must have met Sir Gilbert
when you were last in England Mrs.
Cathcart continued. He is friend
of Mrs. Venables Have you called
on Mrs. Venables YETI she asked.
oh yes, | have seen her several
times said Wray
4 was kept in ignorance of your
wife's death until Amabel told me
half an hour ago. exclaimed Pauline.
My dear child, we need not enter
into that, said Mrs. Cathcart. 1t is
not a matter which Mr.. Waterhouse
will care TO discuss
At this, the last remnant of Paul
ines self-control fell away. Until
now, she had been intensely -excit-
ed, it is true; but although Mrs. Cath
cart might have doubted the fact, she
had struggled hard to suppress her
emotion. But at this point she let
herself go. She ceased 20 be reason
ing being. In short, Pauline lost her
temper.
L ought to have been told she
exclaimed. Nothing less was due
me- She faced Mrs Cathcart. You
deliberately kept me in ignorance. It
was utterly unjustifiablel
Wray could only stare deprecating-
ly from one woman to the other, but
Mrs. Cathcart was quite unable to re-
main silent under her daughters in
vective.
L should act precisely in the same
way again she retorted. 1t was to
me Mr.. Waterhouse wrote
He sent me a message!'
If he had understood your cir
cumstances at the time, | feel sure
he would not have dreamed of doing
such a thing said Mrs. Cathcart.
He was not aware you were en-
gagged
I was not engaged cried Paul.
inc. more and more indignant
ON the day | received the letter
you were practically engaged
4 was as free as the air., Pauline
exclaimed. She paced the room in
her distressful excitement Nothing
had been decided until nine o'clock
that evening AS for the engagement,
you set a trap to catch me
My darling child
III is TRUE, was the answer. W
deliberately entrapped me-
Really, Pauline' demonstrated
Mrs. Cathcart.
Wray began taking off his remain
ing glove, and strove TO concentrate
all his attention on the process.
You knew the letter would intlu-
ence me-, said Pauline.
1t was mine
or you would not have hidden it
from me-
L had right to act as / pleased,
Mrs. Cathcart rejoined.
oh, it maddens me TO think how
miserably | have been tricked!' said
Pauline.
At this stage Wray stepped towards
the pianoforte and took his hat. But
Pauline rested a restraining hand
on his sleeve.
Please don't go!' she entreated. L
want you to tell me the contents Of
your letter.
oh. welll' he said deprecatingly.
'Wray, | want you to tell me. You
sent mo a paacCaOa-'