Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-04

come 10 making
eyes at him. and ~
Eileen gives him did he propose 10
no end of your"
chances which he doesn't see. AS for
Marion Page. the girl has been on the
edge of loving him for years. You
laugh? But you are wrong. She is in
love with him now as much as she
ever can be with anybody. Did he
propose to youY
"Yes-I think So"
"Then It's the first time for him. He
finds women only too willing TO play
with him, as rule, and he doesn't
have TO be definite l wonder what
he meant by being so definite with
you"
II suppose he meant marriage" said
Sylvia serenely, yet there was the
slightest ring in her voice, and il
amused Mrs. Ferrall to try her "A little
further
"Oh, YOU think he really intended TO
commit HIMSELF
"Why not?' retorted Sylvia, turning
red do you think he found me over.
willing, as YOU say he finds others?'
"You were probably a new sensation
for him." inferred Mrs Ferrall mus
ingly. You mustn't take him seri.
ously, child-a man with his record.
Resides. he has the same facility with
a girl that he has with everything else
he tries his pen-you know how in.
formally clever he is, and he can make
good verse and write witty jingles.
and he eau carry home with him any
opera and play 1t decently. too. with
the proper harmonies Anything be
finds amusing he is clever with-dogs,
horses, pen, brush, music. women
That was too malicious, for Sylvia had
flushed up painfully. and Grace Fer.
rail dropped her gloved hand on the
hand OF the girl beside her. "Child,
child" she said, "he is not that sort.
No decent man ever is unless the girl
Is too"
Sylvia, sitting up very straight in her
furs. said, He found me anything
but difficult, If that's what you mean" "
Il don't. Please don't be vexed. dear
l plague everybody when I see an
opening. There's really only one thing
that worries me about it all"
what is that?" asked Sylvia. with
out interest
ITS that you might be tempted TO
care a little for him, which, being use
less, might be unwise."
81 am-tempted."
"Not seriously"
81 don't know" She turned In a
sudden nervous Impotence foreign to
her Howard Quarter Is too perfect
ly imperfect for me. I'm glad I've said
It. The things he knows about aud
doesn't know have been a revelation In
this last week with him. There is too
much surface. too much exterior adj
mirably fashioned. and inside is all
clockwork"
The low whizzing hum of the motor
filed silence that produced consid-
cradle effect upon Grace Ferrall, and.
after mastering her wits. she said In
a subdued voice:
"Of course it's my meddling."
"Of course II isn't. / asked your
opinion. but ] knew what ! was going
to do. Only did think him personally
possible. which made the expedlency.
the mercenary view Of 1t, easier to
contemplate"
She was becoming as frankly brutal
as she knew how to be. which made
the revolt the more ominous.
sylvia dear. I wish / hadn't med
died. I'm meddling some more, / sup
pose. when | say to you. Don't give
Howard his congo for the present. II
is a horribly common thing to dwell
upon, but Howard Is too materially
important to be cut adrift on the i'm
pulse OF the moment"
IL know it,
"You are too clever not TO. Consider
the matter wisely, dispassionately, IN
diligently. dear, then If by April you
simply can't stand IT, talk the thing
over with me again she ended rather
vaguely and wistfully. for it had been
her hearts desire TO wed Sylvia's beau
ty aud Quarters fortune.
do you believe I could induce him
to wear bis hair any way except pom
padourT said Sylvia. And, dear. his
beard is SO dreadfully silky. Isn't
there anything he could take for III"
"Only a razor. I'm afraid. Those
long. thick, soft eyelashes OF bis are
ominpus. Eyes OF that sort ruin
man for my taste. He might just as
reasonably wear my hat"
but he can't follow the fashions In
eyes," laughed Sylvia. "Oh, this is
atrocious Of us-it Is simply horrible
to sit here and say such things. | am
cold blooded enough as 1t is, material
enough. mean, covetous. contemptible."
Dear" said Grace Ferral mildly,
you are not choosing a husband; you
are choosing career"
"Gracel DO you wish me to marry
him7".
what Is the alternative, dearT
"Why. nothing-self respect dowdi-
ness and peace"
"Is that ailfv
"All can see"
"Not Stephen siwardT
ITO marry No. To enjoy7 Yes.
Grace. have had such good time
with him. You don't know, lie is
such Representatives,, and IL be-
lieve that I am rather good for him.
Not that I'd ever again let him do
that sort OF thing Besides, his curl.
osity Is quenched. 1 am the sort he
sunnoepd Now he's found out he will