Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-23
: cried wray with intense Gag.

|
He broke il off, she insisted.
4 clways understood
4 cannot ,ell you how might have
acted, she said. L was not in a mood
to act very reasonably. felt extreme
| ~ angry-not with Gilbert, with
circumstances, with myself. | am
afraid | told him | regretted my de-
cision, and he was chivairous-he set
me free
Wray stared at her almost incred-
ulously.
Then you are not going to have
| anything more TO do with mel he ex-
| claimed.
She smiled family.
1 ought TO feel insulted that you
should think it possible she said
'Insulted!'
To be suspected of such-that you
could imagine me capable of turning
from one man to another in that way.
Because, il would be shameful
i thought you had made a mis-
take Wray suggested
1t was no mistake she repoined.
You know he said cheerfully, you
are something of a puzzle to me-
A disappointment, at least she
murmured.
Il have not a word to say he re-
turned. I accept the situation with
out reserve
L know you are a brave man.
Wray'
L begin to think l am a rather
vain one he said, with laugh.
Believe me, she answered, L am
sincerely sorry for you. You must
try to forget. Don't let me- feel the
reproach of having spoilt your life.
feared what was coming Pauline
added only | shrank from opening
your wound. At first almost expert.
mented on myself but, forgive me,
Wray, l have seen you often since,
and
4 don't come well out of the com.
parison, he said cheerfully But, |
assure you, my chief wish is to see
you happy in your own way
You are generous, she cried, hold
ing forth her right hand.
AS he took it, the door opened, and
Mrs. Cathcart entered with a radiant
face. Closing the door, she faced the
pair with a significant and compre-
hensive smile.
You are not going, dear Mr.. Water
house. she exclaimed. You must not
hurry away. Mr.. Cathcart will be
home very SOON
Breaking off abruptly, too infatu-
ated TO observe any inauspicious
symptom, Mrs. Cathcart rested her
hands on Pauline's shoulders.
God bless you, my darling she
murmured, and embraced her daugh-
ter impressively. On turning her head,
she stared about her with an expires.
sion of blank establishment Selling
his opportunity, Wray had made his
escape.
What a dreadful mistake you are
making, mother!' cried Pauline
A mistake!' said Mrs. Cathcart.
What must you all think of mel
Surely you have not refused Mr..
Waterhousei'
How could you imagine should
accept him?' demanded Pauline.
Well Mrs Cathcart calculated, Il
am sure | wish | knew what TO think
about you, and she left the room in
search of Amabel, whose conduct just
now seemed To stand out from her
sisters in wholesome contrast
On reaching the street, Wray found
it difficult to comport himself like a
sober, well-ordered citizen. He was
we'll nigh intoxicated by the unex-
pected result of his interview with
Pauline; it required all his self-re-
straint to refrain from some indie
corous manifestation of feeling
Concerning his destination, however,
he did not for an instant hesitate.
When he heard that Joan was not
at home, he sent an urgent message,
with the consequence that she con-
scented to receive him.
4 should not have admitted any
other human being she said, enter
ing the drawing-room.
'Lhave come from Gloucester Place,
he cried
No wonder you look so cheerful,
she answered.
What is the matter?' he asked no.
ticing how pale and worn she looked.
Oh nothing
You are not well?' he persisted.
1 suppose you would call it a fit
OF the blues said Joan. But | am
quite prepared to congratulate you
You may he exclaimed
i do she faltered.
With all sincerity he continued
Pauline won't have me at any price.
She has washed her hands of me-
Joan stared at him with something
like dismay in her face. Her hands
were pressed against her bosom, and
her eyes shone with a suspicious
April brightness.
In moment she had rallied herself.
Does she still think you are broken
hearted?' she asked, with apparently
irrelevancy.
Upon my word-I believe she does.
But he added, L did my best
You did not tell her