News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1908-05-13
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Author of 'Mr. passingham'
The Judgment OF Helen, etc.
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of refractory patient said Wray
Was Pauline very
oh, very!'
I think you are extremely irritat
ing said Joan. Pray tell me what
has happenedp
Why, nothing.
Then, what do you complain of?
she asked more cheerfully.
4 made no complaint he reioined.
'Only-well, Pauline was-she was re-
markably sympathetic
Naturally exclaimed Joan, with a
note Of asperity; she regards you as
a person in need Of sympathy
L spared no effort to undeceive her,
anyhow
Joan found it hard to repress a
smile.
Now, how did you set about that?'
she demanded.
4 put on my most cheerful manner
he explained I tried to show that |
hadn't a regret in the world. con-
graduated her with the utmost cor
diality I assured her Of my desire
for her happiness, and spoke the
truth
Did she believe your
we'll
She didn't believe you, them
4 have an uncomfortable suspicion
that she still-that she has a linger.
ing conviction
That you are still pining!' Joan
suggested.
For her, you know
And you are not?'
No, I'm not Wray answered.
1T is not to be wondered at cried
Joan.
That she Should
If she really misinterprets your
conduct. Knowing why you came to
England-and l suppose she does
know?-'
oh, yes
You can hardly blame her for
supposing week has left you with
the same intention still said Joan.
You see,' he tried to explain, 1t
was the letter that did it. She knew
that Mrs. Cathcart had kept her in
The dark, and-well Pauline lost her
temper. Upon my word Wray ex-
claimed, she looked magnificent
In a rage!' said Joan skeptically.
Call it righteous Indignation, Wray
suggested, with smile. She de-
clared she had been deceived-en-
trapped
Did she say that to your face?'
Yes he answered.
That she had been entrapped into
her engagement
She seemed to have rather fancy
for the word said Wray. AS luck
would have it, my letter reached Mrs:
Cathcart's hands the day she decided
to marry Strachan'
Then answered Joan quietly, If
she was entrapped into the engage
ment, she will quickly put an end to it.
oh, l don't imagine that he ex-
claimed with startled expression.
After ALL said Joan, it's of less
consequence what she thinks about
you than what she feels on her own
part
Well, I'm not sure he answered
rather ruefully. 4 fancy she feels
rather wild with herself-in a man
ner-
Why?
She seems to see herself as she
imagines | see her, don't you know
You don't think she-she regards
you as she used to do?' Joan persisted.
4 sincerely hope not
you are shutting, Wrayr
How he demanded.
4 asked what you thought, not
what you hoped
4 pin my faith to Amabel, he re-
torted.
4 sec
'Amabel insists that Pauline is i'm
mensely fond of Strachan.
What a strange confidence to make
to you!' cried Joan.
We'll, you see, the circumstances
were strange
No doubt said Joan dryly; and,
of course, you couldn't have had a
more judicious adviser
She ought to know Wray insisted.
But anyway Joan continued, it
could make no possible difference to
you
What couldn't?' he demanded.
IF Pauline threw Sir Gilbert over;
of course, one would feel immensely
sorry for him, but you would stand
just where you do at this moment
oh, we'll
why not? she said
But she won't do anything of that
kind, Wray insisted. She simply
lost her temper, and, after all, Mrs
Cathcart didn't treat her well Any
how he continued, I congratulate
myself on one score
It's well you can congratulate your
self Joan returned.
I'm immensely glad | took the
precaution to go to Gloucester Place
All. there you were wrong, Wrayn
You would have risked the scene
in public, Them he said But any
how it is over now, and | confess l
feel relieved
Yet a week ago how differently
you hoped it would end!' she ex-