Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-18

Before whatT'
Before please don't ask me To
say It. I did once when you asked
me-"
Before you cared for me-is that
what you meanY
Eyes. You are so cruelty literal when
you wish 10 punish me. You are inter
rupting me too. | owe that wretched
Kemp Ferrall a lot of money. and I'm
trying TO find out how much seven and
nine are to close accounts with Ma
rion Page"
Siward turned and continued his
writing. And when the little sheaf of
checks was ready he counted them.
laid them aside and, drawing a Hat
packet of fresh bank notes from his
portfolio. counted out the tips expect
ed of him below stairs. These arrang
ed for, be straightenec up and glanced
over his shoulder at Sylvia. but she
was apparently absorbed In counting
something oil the ends OF her fingers.
SO he turned smilingly TO his desk and
wrote a long letter to his mother-thc
same tender, affectionfsely boyish let
ter he had always written her, full OF
condolences. full OF humor. gayly antic-
ipating his own return to her on the
heels OF the letter.
In his first letter 10 her from Shot
over he had spoken casually OF a Miss
lands. IL seemed the name was IA
miliar enough TO his mother. who ask
ed about her. and he had replied I'm
another letter or two, trife EN-
phatic in his praise of her. because
from his mothers letters II was quite
evident that she knew good deal con
corning the very unconventional af-
fairs of Sylvia's family.
or his swift and somewhat equivo-
cal courtship he had had nothing to
say In his letters. In fact, recently he
had nothing 10 say about Sylvia at all.
reserving that vital confidence for the
clear sympathy and understanding
which he looked forward to when he
should see her and which, through
dark days and bitter aftermaths.
through struggle and defeat by his
master vice had never failed him yet.
never faltered for an instant.
So he brought his letter to a close
with tender and uneasy inquiry
concerning her health, which. she had
intlmated, was not exactly satisfacto-
~, and for that reason she had open
ed the house In town In order to be
near Or. Grisby, their family doctor.
Sealing and directing the letter, he
looked up TO see Sylvia standing at his
elbow. she dropped a light hand on
his shoulder for a second, barely
touching nina fugitive caress, deli
cate as the smile lowering on her lips.
as the shy tenderness In her eyes.
More letters 10 your sweetheart"
she asked, abandoning her hand to
him.
"One more. the last before | see her
| wish you could see her, Sylvia"
81 wish so, too" she answered sim
ply, seating herself on the arm OF his
chair as though 1t were sidesaddle.
Would she care for me, do you
Think" asked the. girl In a low voice
IL think so, for your real SELF
IL know. She could only feel con
tempt for me as am"
"She is old fashioned" he said rev
erently.
THAT means all that is best In a wo-
mantle old fashion of truth and
faith. the old fashion of honor and
faith In honor, the old, old fashion OF
love. All that Is best, Stephen; all that
Is worth the love of a man. Some day
oh IV MIL civ 20 -
"Will your
Dear, they would not become me"
she said, the tenderness In her eyes
deepening a little. and she touched his
head lightly In humorous caress.
"What shall we do with the waning
daylightT she asked. 1T Is my last
day with you. | told Howard It was
my last day with you and did not
care to be disturbed"
you probably didn't say 1t that
way" he commented, amused.
81 did"
"How much OF that sort of thing is
he prepared to stand?" asked Sward
curiously.
"How much? | don't know. don't
DtlitNt ne CdItS. IL II my uuCle, Nh
jor Belwether. who Is making things
unpleasant for me. had to tell How
ard, you know"
What. exclaimed Siward incredu-
lousy.
Certainly. Do you think my con-
duct has passed without protestT'
"You told Quarrierv' he repeated.
did you imagine | could do other
wiser she asked coolly. Il have that
much decency left. Certainly | told
him. Do you suppose that after what
we did. what | admitted to you. that
could meet him as usual? DO you
think | am afraid of himY'
"I thought you were afraid OF losing
him." muttered Siward.
II was dEeadfully. And the morning
after you and | had been imprudent
enough to sit up until nearly daylight
and do what we did made him take a
long walk with me, and told him plain
~ that cared for you. that was too
selfish and cowardly to marry you. and
that II he couldn't endure the news he
was at liberty to terminate the engage
ment without notice"
"What did he sayT' stammered ST.
ward.
II was Informed that he held me
strictly and precisely TO my promise;
that he would never release me volun-
all \ - ~ n,