Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-01-19
CONTINUED from last week. }


'Amabel,' exclaimed Mrs. Cathcart
tell your sister. Though. she Added.
as Amabel went away. 1T will not do
the slightest good
Pauline, speaking through her bed
room door, protested that she had no
desire to be spoken to. But Amabel
held out, and few minutes later
Mr.. Cathcart came upstairs.
His purpose was to bring Pauline
to her senses by rational argument.
She was out of temper and since
Mrs. Cathcart had failed, it beloved
him to try his hand.
But before he had time to utter
word, Pauline demanded whether he
had been privy to Mrs. Cathcart's UNI
justifable scheme. He could not deny
the impeachment: and the admission
began to inveigh against the con-
spiracy which had been formed for
her undoing.
The tables being turned in this
way, Mr.. Cathcart became dumb. His
own conscience lent force to Paul.
ines invective; and having come to
deliver a lecture, he found it neces-
sary to defend himself, a new and un-
pleasant experience.
I think he said when Pauline be-
gan to show symptoms of beneficent
exhaustion, that you children are
little remorseless to your parents ncw
and then
am not a child she retorted.
Always a child to your mother and
me, Pauline. But admit we made
mistake: you know we acted entirely
To your welfare
Then you acted very misguidedly.'
Yes, yes, that may be. But don't
follow our error by making another
on your own account. Strachan may
arrive at any moment; for Gods sake
don't do anything which you will re-
greet for the rest of your life
DO you expect me to sit still under
such an injury?' Pauline demanded.
Don't make Strachan the scape-
goat, he urged.
1 have been treated as a puppet,'
she retorted
= Well, now, are you acting as a
reasonable being?'
1t is sufficient to deprive any wo-
man of her reason. And Wray-what
of him? What must he think of me?
1T does not very much matter, said
Mr. Cathcart.
He counted on my steadfast.
ness
We'll, he made a mistake. You
were not steadfast-if you put it In
that way
oh it is of no use to talk about
it, she exclaimed, and Mr.. Cathcart
could get no further.
On returning to the drawingroom,
his report of the interview completely
crushed Mrs. Oathcart She perceiy-
ed the impending disaster, yet she
felt powerless TO take a step to avert
IL.
Amabel. however, determined to
venture on a forlorn hope. She was
disposed to revel in the emergency,
having an almost boyish and entirely
mischievous interest in anything Of
the nature of row If she could
not accomplish any good, she liked
to be in the midst of things.
But Pauline was hardly in a mood
to listen. She had not yet given Ut.
terance to half of her wrongs, and,
to a certain degree. Amabel formed a
fesh audience.
They think l am to be treated as
a chhd!' she cried. They have caught
me in a trip and they imagine there's
no escape
We'll, l suppose there isn't said
Amabel
4 must not think of Wray or speak
to him, although I know his heart is
breaking
oh, you harp on that one string!'
Amabel retorted. And it is much out
Of tune. dear.
They think because happen to be
engaged to Gilbert
You are engaged to him. anyhow!
But should have BEEN? cried
Pauline; should have committed
myself If had been told the truth?
You ought to know best about that,
said Amabel
uOb hhOWs Wdo tic ais Wei.
cannot decide. am unable to satisfy
myself
It's little rough on Gilbert,
though, Amabel suggested.
And therefore | am to bear this
ill-treatment and say nothing'
Then you intend to throw Gilbert
over?' asked Amabel.
1 do not intend to be made mere
puppet Of
You can see what Gilbert would
think of you, Pauline
oh. am beyond caring what any
one thinks, she retorted I have
been treated abominably, and
won't endure it,
And said Amabel, there's Mr.
Warehouse to consider
What about him.?
He will think the same as GAL
bert He will account for your con-
duct In his own way; and. you know
you may not like to hear II. but !
mean to tell you'll am quite sure that