Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-10-10
Kate's
Conscience
By IZOLA FORESTER
Copyright. 1906, by Ruby Douglas
BY IZOLA FORESTER

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II think that you ought to tell VIII
lard before you marry him."
Kate did not even turn her head
After listening to variations of the
same advice and opinion for half an
hour she felt more than annoyed. She
was frankly angry and perplexed.
IF you don't some one else will, and
that will only make any subsequent
explanation so unpleasant. Men are
peculiar anyway, and in an affair of
this kind
"Imogene Wayne"-Kate's face flush
ed hotly-'I think you put it altogether
too strongly"
ut is serious matter" Imogene
bit OFF the end of her embroidery linen
deliberately. IF ii were my own af-
fair / should consider it matter of
conscience. Willard is the sort of man
to take anything of that kind to heart.
/ know him we'll"
II don't care bit whether he knows
or mott" exclaimed Kate. az suppose
should have told him in the first
place, but he never asked me, and I
didn't consider 1t necessary. l never
thought Bart would"
mo one did," interposed Imogene,
with serene significance. but the
fact remains that Bart has
HAS what7 Am l always in trou-
ble?'
Lazily, comfortably interested, the
whose windows opened on the veran-
da. Kate stood, silent, indignant, her
chin appraised, her lashes downcast.
From the cool shadow Of the curtained
window seat Bart Holman thought
her sweeter and dearer than ever. And
It had been nearly two years ago.
Are you in there. Bartr' Imogene
laughed. How long have you been
listening-long enough to agree with
me? Whatever made you come home
when everybody wanted you to stay in
Japan
mot everybody. came by special
request"
~And went In the first place by spe-
eial request tooY'
Kate flashed one single glance at her
cousin. She had not Known how much
Imogene knew. She wondered II Bart
had told her. Against her will she
looked at Bart. he was smiling at
her, and suddenly, vaguely, she felt
more at ease. After all Bart was a
1914 ,>ov ~ h.A 5000 $780, A. .~~.u
"a trine browner, the lines about his
mouth a bit deeper, the look Of his
eyes steadier. The two years in Japan
had done him good.
when Is the wedding, Kitty?"
No one ever called her Kitty but
Bart. 1t was such q foolish, childish
name for a girl, she thought, for the
kind of girl at least that she prided
herself on being. She was not the
fluffy, childish type. She was tall and
slender with smooth dark hair, and
eyes that changed like the sea with her
mood.
1--WE are not even engaged yet" she
answered composedly. II can hardly
say when the wedding will be-"
Kate is so cautious about matri-
mony this time" Imogene said amused
". "She has actually put poor Willard
on probation. If he is a good boy for
three months and manages to fulfill her
ideal in that time, then she will consent
to an engagement"
IF l were a girl I'd put willard on
probation for life" Bart said cheer
fully. "One would be perfectly safe.
There would never be any danger of
foreclosure"
Three months is long enough" said
Kate. "a man who cannot stand a
three months test is not worth waiting
lifetime for"
Don't he vindictive and catty,
Kate" Imogene gathered up her melee
Of embroidery odds and ends. Every
body at Viewpoint knows about you and
Bart, and when you twit him that way
1t is simply bad taste. Bart, why on
earth didn't you have sense enough to
stay away?"
mo one sent me announcement cards
OF the probation" answered Bart
calmly. II like Viewpoint Willard
and l are old college pals"
"Were you really?" Imogene glanced
back over her shoulder to laugh again.
isn't 1t comioal, though, the whole
affair? Well, there is one thing sure.
Bart, you won't be pals IL Hates con-
science troubles her."
They were alone several minutes be-
fore the silence was broken. Then
Bart asked:
docs itT'
Trouble meT' Kate lifted her head,
and the anxiety In her eyes startled
him. "Yes, 1t does. Bart. or course l
intend TO marry willard. The proba-
ton idea is half of ii, Imogene's non
sense. only asked him TO give me
three months to make up my mind"
II didn't give you three minutes"
and changed II i'm three weeks"
she retorted quickly. 1T IS better to
be sure. But
But YOU haven't told Willard about
mef"
Not vet" She hesitated and then
added nervously. earnestly: 1T isn't
that he would mind, although | sup