Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-02-16


quite different woman
The change is for the better?
Joan suggested.
Wen. yes, think So che struck
the chord at our first meeting
In a minor key
She is everlastingly reproaching
herself
Oh, we'll
She seems to accuse herself of a
kind Oh Inconsistency. She regards me
with sort OF pity, remorsefully, as
il size had done me some wrong
Whereas 1t is Sir Gilbert whom she
has injured. And by way of retail
htion,' Joan exclaimed, you purpose to
injure her. You will never get along
Together. You are too much alike
Too much alike!' cried Wray with
a laugh.
You are as bad as she is-or ought
| to say as good? | really don't know
which to call it. But there!' she
said, you must go your way
You wouldn't hinder NE
1t is obviously beyond my powers!
But if you could?' he persisted.
i am not sure 1T would be worth
while, said Joan.
CHAPTER XXI
is Mrs. CathcarJ at homer asked
Wray the following afternoon.
NO, sir
Miss Cathcart?'
Only Miss Amabel is at home, sir.
said the servant.
Wray hesitated a moment.
/ should like To- see her. he an
swered, and followed the parlor.maid
upstairs.
Amabel came gaily to receive him,
looking quite her best and brightest
! this afternoon.
They are all out, she exclaimed.
Does that signify that ] ought not
to have come upstairs?
You ought not 10 have come at all,
she retorted.
i think you invited me, said Wray.
Quite a different thing. Hospi-
tally might compel the invitation, but
ever so many reasons might MAKE you
refuse it,
SO you regard me as a bird of i'll
omen, Wray suggested.
You certainly have not brought
us good fortune, said Amabel.
The fact is, | wanted rather par
ticularly to see Mrs Cathcart.'
TO see my mother!' exclaimed Am
abel, with a lift of her eyebrows.
Il believe that is the othordox way
TO act he said.
Amabel looked at him with unqual-
flied establishment.
Then you are--you are going to
Do you wish me luck?' he asked,
smiling rather drearily.
Most certainly not
You seem surprised
Il am-utterly surprised. l can't
get over it, said Amabel.
Why did you imagine | came here
that | have been TO So many other
houses? Hasn't my conduct always
pointed in one direction Wray de-
manded.
of course, that was the obvious in
depreciation, she said 'But-well, |
hate the obvious. And | hate that.
[ sincerely hope that Pauline won't
have anything to do with you
His eager tones might easily have
misled her.
DO you think there's the slightest
doubt? he exclaimed.
You can easily set it at rest ANA
bel retorted.
L want you to tell me, Wray urged.
L am not the proper person to ask
she insisted.
To her further establishment, Wray
rose impulsively, advancing towards
her chair.
For Gods sake, tell me- he said
excitedly. is there the slightest
cause TO doubt that Pauline will mar
ry me?
If she does. there ought to be
ghost at your wedding answered
Amabel.
But will she marry me?' he de-
manded obviously hanging. upon her
reply.
Amabel laughed a little incongru-
ously.
Il did not think you were nearly so
intense she said. Though Pauline
warned me you could dissemble-'
You have not answered my ques-
ton he insisted.
How can ~
You must know something of Paul
ina's Intentions
Nothing In the worIu. AT least
AT all events. YOU have formed your
own opinion Wray urged
That is not the same thing as ex-
pressing it.
Please put an end to my suspense,
he entreated.
She looked at him still rather skep-
tically.
is il really a matter of such vital
moment to vou?' she asked.
A, matter of life or death said
Wray.
1 fear she will-yes. answered ANA
bel slowly, 1 think Pauline will mar
r. YOU
she had scarcely finished speaking,
she was still gazing into his eager. ques-
tiOning face, when the door opened