Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-09-26

me for your soprano. And as have been
the only one to object to the longer trip
you planned l withdraw my objections to
that also. Under your management
feel sure we shall be successful. Sin
cerely. ALICIA LEE FAIRALL.
When she had heard the closing OF
the outer door she gave the note to the
butler and took from him the envelope
Bob had left. with IL In her hand she
went slowly upstairs and sat down be-
fore her CRATE fire. She felt her anger
melting away; and by the Ahe in her
throat knew that tears were not far
of. She tore open the envelope, hop
Ing 10 find some stimulus to her indg-
nation, but at the gentleness of the
words and the sight OF the key to the
home she and Bob had so eagerly. care
fully planned the tears came with a
rush, and, burylng her face In the arm
OF her easy chair, she cried herself to
sleep.
Press notices of "a concert to be
given in the near future by the best
amateur talent the city afforded be-
gan ~ he frequent during the next few
weeks. Then came the programme and
pictures of the principals Alicia was
oftenest mentioned, and one Sunday
paper contained her picture, a theat-
rically posed, full length affair, with
her head over one shoulder and her
lips as if speaking. Bob's heart sank
and turned sick. She did mean ii,
then.
no h..
would go to the concert, and when the
night finally came he dressed early
and fidgeted miserably till time TO
start Then, suddenly changing his
mind, he had himself driven TO the door
of the little new home he and Alicia
had planned together. Bob let himself
into the house with his key, which he
always carried. and walked through
the empty. deSOlate rooms, which by
now should have been furnished and
ready for the brides home coming He
roamed clear through the house, draw
ing the shades and lighting all the
chandeliers till every room was blaz-
ing with light. Then he turned them
all out and lit n blazing fire in the din
the high settee built into the niche by
the fireplace, he closed his eyes and de-
liberately conjured up the presence of
Alicia.
He was almost asleep when he heard
the front door open and close and the
click Of high heeled slippers on the bare
floors accompanied by the unmistakable
swish of a womans sllken skirts Then
he heard match scratched and an inn
patient exclamation as something was
dropped Then. with his heart pound
ing violently. he laid his head back
against the settee and feigned sleep.
He heard the steps come to the din
ing room door. heard Alcia's voice say
"Oh" in frightened. breathless sur
prise, felt his heart beat almost to suf-
location, and then he heard the steps
recede with a rush to the hall and the
front door open. He was about to call
TO her when he heard her say TO some
one on the porch:
Tell Mr.. Courtenay ! am sick OF
dead or buried anything you like only
that | shall not sing tonight" Then the
door closed again and Bob Immediately
went TO sleep. 1t seemed TO be very
sound sleep. for he did not open hla
eyes, though Alicia coughed three
times. But when she could stand ii no
longer and shook his shoulder he woke
up with most excellent look of sur
prise on his face.
lis il too late?' she asked breath
lessly.
Looking at her as IL daZed. he pulled
out his watch
"Oh, don't mean for the concert!
mean but Alicia could get no fur
Their and. dropping to her knees beside
the settee. she leaned her head against
his arm and cried.
vi guess II isn't too late for we'd
ding" said Bob, but We'll have to
hurry