Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-01-26

idly confronted TOT the most part, raul
inc deprecated nothing more deeply
than her own ebullient tendency. Pos
sessing conscience too sensitive
for reticence-judicious or injudicious,
she could not In any circumstances
rest without laying bare all the mo-
tives of her recent outburst. To her
self these appeared simple and dis
tinct.
After an awkward silence. she
said
II wished to speak to you, and
yet II is difficult
1t was not difficult to tell me any
thing yesterday he suggested. I
have seen Amabel,' Gilbert added.
Pauline's anger began to bubble
over again.
Did she tell you how atrociously
have been treated?' she exclaimed.
She said that Waterhouse was in
England he said, folding his arms
Then realizing that his coat had ruck.
ed, he Strengthened 1t.
Did she tell you that his wife
Yes. have heard of Mrs. Water
houses DEATH. Gilbert answered.
| He wrote to my mother, she
thought fit to mislead me- cried Paul
inc, and she looked at him almost i'm
ploringly for an instant The full
force of her loneliness seemed to
strike hiir. He dropped his arms to
his side, leaning eagerly towards her.
Pauline, he said, Pauline, it could
have made no difference. Nothing on
earth could have made any difference
How can I tell!' she faltered.
But, Pauline
4 was not permitted to judge she
| insisted, more strenuously.
DO you suggest you would have de-
cided differently? he asked
AT the very moment she contin.
ued, that I was telling you of my
doubts, my mother knew that Wray
was free-that he was coming to me.
1t was shameful not TO tell me.
No doubt Mrs. Gathcart thought
oh, 1t was shameful! Pauline
claimed. L was deliberately entrap-
ped
Gilbert took a quick pace forward.
Not by me- he said
1t does not matter by whom!'
oh, it matters very much indeed
Gilbert retorted.
There is the fact she said They
wanted me TO marry you. They kept
me in ignorance. They deceived me-
Then. if you had known
Nothing should have induced me to
commit myself
To commit YOURSELF Gilbert cried,
with a start.
L would not have decided she in
sisted. Surely you know
L know you believe what you told
me, that Warehouse was nothing to
you
All. but ! warned you | could not
trust myself, Gilbert. That was the
truth. | could have borne anything
but this hateful deception. When /
realize it, my head seems on fire. And
when | think of Wray, | feel utter
ly-'
Do you think of me at ALP said
Gilbert rather curtly
1T was unfair to you as WE'LL Paul
inc admitted But imagine what
Wray's feelings must have been He
came to this house expecting to find
me free
Upon my SOUL cried Gilbert, 4
don't want to discuss the fellow Then
he added. warmly. You regret you
were not free!
Bitterly
Pauline he said, do you realize
what you are saying?'
oh, don't misunderstood me- she
retorted 4 am not blaming you
Blaming me! Good Lord.' he ex-
claimed.
If you knew, I don't think you
could blame me- she continued. 4
told you'll warned yoa-I said
couldn't trust myself. Every doubt
fsat tormented me then is alive now
] only claimed the right 10 choose.
You chose 49,
IN ignorance she said.
Let me ask YOU again. he cried;
and for Gods sake, realize what you
are going TO say. Do you wish you
were free Pauline?'
Che seemed TO hesitate.
I want to tell you the truth she
faltered.
4 want to hear il. Yes or no. Do
you wish for freedom?'
ON. word will not suffice. want
you to understand
oh. think there is little fear about
that he retorted. standing before her,
almost threativgly. Which is II to
be Yes CT Nor
THEMES, said Pauline
He threw out his arms and let them
drop Imply at his side again.
'Yon are free from me- he answer
ell. DO you imagine | am the man to
attempt to force your
But
In short, you have made mis-.
take, he said.
4 feel just that doubt, she confes-
sed. II only they had treated me
frankly. what world of misery 4
would have saved!'