Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-02-08

do need not speak of that to you.
One must not make the mistake of as
Stunning some one else's work"
He spoke gently, almost as II with
a clairvoyant reading Of her tendency
to self-immolation.
But may not some one else's fault
be given us to undo?" she asked Gag
erly. MAY not their work be forced
on usT'
NO" he answered.
"No?" bewildered.
has enough with his own. at least so
It seems to me. Most of us die be-
fore we finish it."
Emily paused. contending with the
loneliness and doubts which impelled
her to speech, the feminine yearning
10 let another decide her problems.
This others nonchalant strength of
decision allured her uncertainty.
81 am discouraged" she confessed
And tired. there is no reason
why | should not speak OF 1t. You
know Dick, how he can do nothing in
the factory or business, or in the
places where French should stand.
All this must fall into the hands of
strangers, to be broken and forgotten.
when my ncle dies, for lack Of some
one who would care. And Uncle
Ethan seems severe and hard, but il
grieves him all the time His only
son was not good man; he lives
abroad with his wife, who was an &C.
tress before he married her. You
knew that?" as he moved.
II heard something OF it In the vii
lage," Lestrange admitted gravely.
Please do not think me fond of Cos
sip; ! could not avoid It. But | should
not have imagined this family likely
to make low marriages"
at never happened before never
saw that cousin, nor did Dick; but he
was always a disappointment, always,
Uncle Ethan has told me. And since
he failed. and Dick fails, there is only
me-"
"You!"
She nodded, her lip Quivering.
only me. Not as a substitute
am not fit for that-but to find a sub
stitute. have promised my uncle to
marry the first one who is able to be
that"
The silence was absolute Lestrange
neither moved nor spoke, gazing down
at her bent head with an expression
blending many shades.
1T Is duty; there IL no one ex.
cept me-" she added "Only sometimes
! grow-to dislike II too much. am
80 selfish that sometimes hope a sub
stitute Will never come"
Her voice died away. 1t was done:
she. Emily French, had deliberately
confided to this stranger that which
an hour before she would have be.
lieved no one could force from her
lips in articulate speech. And she
neither regretted nor was ashamed,
although there was time for full reali-
zation before Lestrange answered.
Il did not believe" he said, that
such things could be done. It is nom
sense! 1t is the kind Of situation,
Miss French, where any man Is justi-
fed IN interfering. ] beg you will
leave the affair in my hands and think
no more OF such morbid self-sacri-
fee"
Stupefied Emily flung back her
head. staring at him.
I'm your hands?"
Since there are none better, It APP
pears. Why" his vivid face questioned
her full and straightly, you didn't i'm
agine that any man living could hear
what you are doing, and pass on?"
my uncle knows"
Your uncle-is not for me TO criti-
CHE But do not ask any other man
to let you go~on."
Her ideas Keeling, she struggled for
comprehension.
You. what could you do!" she mar
veled "The substitute"
There won't be any substitute" re-
piled Lestrange with perfect GOODNESS.
81 shall train Dick French to do his
work"
YOU
81 can. and will"
"He can not
"oh, yes, he can; he is just idle and
spoiled" the firm lips set more firmly.
"He shall take his place, can handle
| him"
Emily sat quite helplessly, her eyes
black with excitement Slowly recol-
lection flowed back to her of change
in Dick since his light contact with
| Lestrange; his avoidance of even oc-
casional highballs. his awakening in
terest in the clean sport of the races,
and his half-wistful admiration for the
virile driver-manager.
81 almost believe you could" she
conceded.
ct can" repeated Lestrange. "Only,
he openly smiled, 'it win be hard on
Diclxie"
II was the touch needed, the anti
dote to sentiment Emily laughed
with him, laughed in sheer mischief
and relief and leap of youth.
you will be gentls poor Dickie!"
'I'll be gentle He is coming now,
I think" He took a step nearer her.
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