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

)elleVe me, ne saiu
4 will try to be just to you she
Il don't think you can re-
alize the affront you are putting upon
me-
The affront!
A month ago or less, you arrived in
England, said Joan. That first even
ing you told me of your intention TO
ask Pauline TO marry you.
But even that first evening
She silenced him with a deprecatory
gesture.
Pauline has refused you.
Il thank whatever gods there be,
he quoted.
You have heard that Amabel is en-
gagged to Bernard
Yes, | have heard that
And you turn to me as last re-
source!'
Il don't quite understand you,
said Wray.
oh. but you know very well you
would have asked Amabel to marry
you
Not if there were no other woman
in the world exclaimed Wray.
liked the girl | found her amusing'
but quite apart from any other con-
sideration, knew that Venables--
The knowledge does not appear TO
have interfered with you, said Joan.
But how on earth could you mag
inc
4 felt quite sure she returned
That | could love-
oh, Wray, Wray! don't think you
are capable of love. You had nat
ural desire to marry-to settle down
Won considered yourself bound TO
Pauline but you preferred her sister
Now they have both left you out IN
the cold
Wray looked at Joan with
thoughtful smile. He rose and stood
in front of her as the summer
evening gradually darkened.
loan he said, the Lord has deliv-
cred you into my hands. So you hon
estly thought | wished to marry ANA
bell?
WHY. yes she answered, looking a
little startled.
| You believed | was very much bent
on making her my wife, he persisted.
Everything is relative, you know,
Wray.'
AT the time, too, when nothing
stood in my way-before Pauline had
broken with Strachan?
Since the night of Mrs. Bishops
dance, Joan answered.
There's a fatality about that wo-
mans house. said Wray. But you
were convinced that night | wished
to marry amabel3' -
Yes 49,.
And that there was nothing to pre-
vent me?'
Only Bernard
But BERNARD was not in the run
ming, said Wray. He hadn't pen
nv beyond his pay. Bernard was OF a
negligible quantity. Now he added
L always counted you my friend.
You were right to that extent, she
answered.
Then why did you take side
against me? Why did you give Bern
|
Joan sat staring straight before
her. not daring to meet his eyes.
Shall | tell you why, JoanT
Mono
4 think | shall tell you he said
and. raising her hands, she presse'
them over her tingling face, wishing
: that the darkness would overshadoN
her more quickly.
She waited TREMENDOUSLY, specula
? ing whether the unwonted ring in hi
voice was anger or-not anger.
Look at me, Joan, he said.
| But still keeping her face covered
: Joan shook her head.
/ He placed his fingers on her bar
arms.
r 'Wray.-Wray! she protested.
With gentle force he drew he
e hands from her face, but Joan bowe
her head.
Look at me, JOAN! he said agai
and slowly she raised her eyes.
d 4 will tell you why you wrougl
against me, he said
She rose from the bench.
'e We will-we will go indoors 81
cried. but Wray still held her arr
captive.
You did it because you loved m
80 he whispered.
a She threw aside all reservation.
All, loved you-l loved you 10
n. long ago, Wray!' she cried.
Before
Before you flung your life away
d., and mine-for an ignoble-
Don't, for Gods sake, he mutter
he Then, when you came again, yet
later. | loved you yet
n, And now?' he asked.
ou And always said Joan.
Won't you come TO me at
dear he urged.
he Should | have admitted as mi
lgs if-if-'
He drew her nearer, kissing
lips; then, presently, he led her av
'er- towards the house.
VIC L think said Joan, 4 have SURF
dered a little too easily.
it'll, Far more easily that | dared to