Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-23

But | don't wish to be any ones
wife, she answered. And what a life
I should lead youl What life you'd
lead me too! Because. you see. Ber-
/, ME, leopard can't change his spots,
and | know =
You're the sweetest girl In the
world he protested.
| But sugar disagrees with so many
| persons she cried. i know | am not
very full of ballast, and you'll admit
you are little exactlng, Bernie
L am he confessed. And | am
going TO marry you before sail for
India
Well said Amabel, L hope you will
never forget what a sacrifice ! am
making!'
The consequence was that Bernard
have sent Gilbert a telegram if Anna
bel had not ominously ordered him
| To go to Horsemere, as he had arrang-
ed. He reached the house in the
middle of dinner, but he could not pre-
tend to any deep regret. His trou-
BILE was to keep his good fortune to
himself until Lady Strachan left him
alone with Gilbert. Then he poured
forth his story. Completely selfish in
the freshness of his happiness, he
spared Strachan no details.
Then, said Gilbert, as his cigar
went out, Waterhouse purposes to
speak definitely 10 Pauline tomorrow
Bernard looked at his companions
woe-begone face, and remembered.
Yes, I'm afraid he does. was the
answer
CHAPTER Xxi.
Mrs. Cathcart had always chung to
the pious opinion that everything
would come right if one only waited
patiently. And now her faith was re-
warded. She felt at least satisfied
with Amabels engagement to Bern
ard, and she looked forward to see
Pauline happily settled before many
hours had passed.
Where is Pauline?' she asked at
four o'clock on Saturday afternoon.
In the drawingroom,' said Amabel
Then tell Mary | will see Mr.
Warehouse here, answered Mrs.
Cathcart. with the consequence that,
on Wrays arrival. he was brought to
Mr.. Cathcart's room.
Nothing could be more ELUSIVE
than her greeting on this occasion.
She apologiZed for receiving him in
that room; she took his hat and stick
from his hands.
Pray sit down, she insisted. L
comfortable chair and she indicated
the one in which her husband spent
SO many hours.
I thought it better to see you first
he said.
oh, certainly, answered Mrs. Cath
cart.
i want your permission to ask
Pauline to be my wife said Wray,
without any excessive enthusiasm.
You are at liberty to see my daugh-
ter, she rejoined. But in matter Of
this sort no mother ought to attempt
to influence her child
But still, he suggested, you think
| may-may expect a favorable re-
ply?'
My dear Mr. Waterhouse, said Mrs.
Cathcart, L shall be perfectly candid
with you. We cannot pretend to for
get all that happened two years
ago
No he cried, deprecatingly.
Il confess | have acted injudcious-
ly,' she continued. i did it for the
best, but | quite moderated the
strength of Pauline's affection. In
fact, was convinced she had put Sir
Gilbert in your place
But now
You need have no fear on Sir Gil.
bert's account, she said eagerly; not
the least. In the face of all that has
occurred, | must say | consider there
is only one conceivable denouement.'
Yes said Wray gloomily.
Now, she cried fussily, you are
impatient to see dear Pauline. She is
in the drawing-room.
Does she know that =
Not that you were coming today,
doubt she will not be very, very deep
ly surprised TO see YOU at any time.
Wray took his nat and rose.
I will take you upstairs, said Mrs.
Cathcart, and Wray opened the door
She led the way to the drawingroom,
entering it first Pauline raised her
eyes, and with an expression almost
Of timidity pushed back her hair.
4 have brought you visitor, dar-
ling, cried Mrs. Cathcart. Mr. Water
house desires to speak to you Now
my dear Mr. Warehouse, she added
raising her right hand, i shall allow
you precisely ten minutes in which
to discuss your affairs
With a significant smile, Mrs. Cath
cart then quilted the room. Wray and
Pauline remained standing, and it
were hard 10 say who felt the more
thoroughly embarrassed. But Wray
plunged INTO the midst of things
L need not explain why | am here,
he said You know what brought me
back to England
I felt immensely sorry for you,
XNray' answered Pauline and | felt