Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-02-06

trip alarm overcame her usual stiff
ness. and she implored an explanation.
Thorndyke gave IL reluctantly. He
loved Katrina Harridan. Katrina loved
him. Her father objected That was
the end OF IT,
Miss Harriet listened in amaZement.
An Ormsley. her nephew. refused 10y a
Harridan. mere upstart in society. 1t
was ridiculous. preposterous.
Thorndyke refused further discussion
of the subject His aunt lay awake
most of the night. and rs the clock
chmed the hours of the early morning
so did her Indignation grow.
II was almost ut boiling point the
next day when Katrina was announced,
Before her hostess could speak the
girl threw herself in her arms
"Oh, dear Miss Harriet" she cried,
''of course Thorndyke has told YOU.
suppose | ought not To be here. when
am forbidden to have anything TO 10
with him. but il can't be wrong to
come when he is away
Miss Harriet found herself patting
Katrina's head.
do not cry. my dear she said with
difficulty. due to remarkable structure
IN her throat 1t is a dcplorable stu
ton. but your father cannot be an en-
tire lie must be made to see reason.
| will call and explain"
This conclusion was far from reas-
surfing 70 Katrina Yet the Young dip
lomat managed to murmur with a fair
assumption of gratitude: THAT is so
good OF You dear Miss Harriet II
Thorndyke and are ever happy. il
Will all be- due to you."
On her way home Miss IIarrldan
found it imperative 10 call at her fn-
Tiers Office or rather. to clll ON the
Office boy Tommy jerks was her
stanch admircr. for she had "A way of
treating him as if he were already a
member of the firm.
Tommy. if Miss Harriet calls 10 see
father during the next few days Just
tell her that he is engaged She would
only worry him DO YOU think that
you could keep her out for me-" She
smiled engaSngly
The office boy was fattered by this
proof of confidence. sure | can. Miss
Katrina" he declared stoutly. lust
you trust to Tommy jerks"
Miss Ormsley called at the Office sew
eraI times. At each visit Tommy
blandly assured her that Mr.. Harridan
was out
1T Is impossible" she declared in
dignantly. But the office boy played
his role TO perfection.
Katrnas next visit to the Larches
found its mistress in state OF mind
quite mt variance with her usual ele-
CANT calm Your, father. in coalition
with his impudent office boy. has re-
fused t. see me. He shows regard nei-
ther for my age and position nor for
the happiness Of my nephew"
Katrina listened meekly. for she saw
that NJ suggestions were needed. The
Ormsley blood was up Yet even she
was surprised by the suddcnneSs witt
which Miss Harriet seized her by the
shoulders and half swung her round rs
she cried. III you had any spirit III
you. YOU would marry without his con-
sent
"Elope," KatrinFs tone was horror
struck
Yes. eloper'
But what would people say" Tire
girl objected
An Ormsley is above the vulgar crit
icism of the general public" Miss TIar-
rict answered majestically And in
deed you can scarcely call il IN elope-
ment when | will see you married and
give reception at the Larches in the
evening
So fiually Katrina and Thorndyke nj
lowed themselves 20 be won over To
Miss Oimslcy's way OF thinking. That
fiery old lady Insisted OH making all
0f th,. arrangements and was filed
with exultation whenever she thought
OF Mr. HarFidan and his discontinue.
She was the Gully witness at the cer,'-
mony. FOR when she suggested a few
guests Katrina demurred.
IF | cannot have my own family
do not want any one but you she de
clared. Il would have liked to have
had those twelve bridesmaids" she
added. with self sacrificing sigh
They will all be there in the even
ing" Miss Harriet comforted.
So they were. but il was an eleventh
hour guest that had the place OF honor
1t was ON tue way home from church
that Katrina begged Miss Harriet to
break the news to her father and to
inplore him 60 forgive her ON her we'd
ding night. Softened 10y the sight of
the youthful happiness. Miss Harriet
could not refuse.
In this embassy she was successful
Mr.. Harridan presented bold front
hut he speedily capit,llated before her
elOquence Miss Harriet almost for
gave his former obduracy since it made
her victory the more signal. Thus it
happened that Mr.. Iarridan kissed the
bride and drank to the health of the
groom with equal fervency
When Nh and Mrs. Thorndykc Orms-
ley were driving to the sutton the first
step Oh their wedding journey. the
groom gave voice 20 presentiment
which al evening had clouded his hap
At