Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-10-28

McFarlane again looked him square
Iy In the eyes. us rnere Am agree
ment between your"
Nothing formal-that is. | mean
admire her. and l told her. He stop
ped. feeling himself on the verge OF
the irrevocable. shes splendid
girl" he went on. II like her exceed
lngly. but I've known her only a few
weeks"
McFarlane interrupted Girls are
dignity critters" he said sadly II don't
know why she's taken TO you so terri
BILE strong. but she has. She don't
seem TO care what people say so long
as they do not blame you. But If you
should pull out you might just as well
cut her heart 10 pieces His voice
broke. and IL was long time before
he could finish. You're not at fault
| know that-but IL you can stay on n
little while ana make il an ounce or
two easier for her and for her mother
wish you'd do it,"
Wayland extended his hand impu-
sively. "Of course I'll stay. | never
really thought of leaving" In the
grip Of McFarlane's hand was some.
thing warm and tender
Berrie could not be entirely deceived
She read In her fathers face "A subtle
change Of line which she related TO
something Wayland had said. Did
he tell you what was In the telegram?
Has he got TO go away?" she asked
anXiously.
Yes, he said 1t was from his IA
Their"
What does his father want OF him? ?"
He's on his way TO California and
wants Wayland TO go with him. but
Wayland says he's not going"
A pang shot through Berries heart
He mustn't go-he isn't able to CO."
she exclaimed. and her pain, her fear.
came out In her sharpened, CONSTRUCTED
tone. II won't let him go-till he's
we'll"
Mrs. McFarlane gently interposed
He'll have TO go. honey. II his father
needs him"
Let his father come here. She
rose and. going TO his door. decisively
knocked May | come in" she de-
manded rather than asked before her
mother could protest. ~ must see
you"
Wayland opened the door, and she
entered, leaving her parents facing
each other in mute helplessness.
Mrs McFarlane turned toward her
husband with face of despair. She's
ours no longer. joe. Our time Of be
reavement has come"
He took Aei in his arms. There.
there, mother, dspf cry. II can't be
helped. YQg cut loose from your par
-0ts and game ~ mo IN just the same
- X, .-..r--i- A----~ - =
...y oar uausn,er IA s.V~n woman
and must have her own life. All we
can do Is TO defend her against the
coyotes who are busy with her name.
But what of him. Joe; he don't care
for her as she does for him. Can't you
see that
Hell do the right thing. mother; he
told me he would. lie knows how
much depends on his staying here now,
and he intends to do it."
"But in the end. Joe. after this scan
dal is lived down. can he-wiil he
marry her? And IL he marries her can
they live together and he happy! His
way of life is SO different He ca9S
content himself here, and she can't ut
in where he belongs. II all Seems
hopeless to me- Wouldn't it Toe bet
ter for her 20 suffer for a little while
now than TO make a mistake. that may
last lifetime
'Mebbe it would, u<osher. but the
decision is not ours. She's too strong
for us TO control She's Of age, and II
she comes to full understanding OF
the situation she can decide the ques-
ton a whole lot better than either OF
us"
That's true" she sighed In some
ways she's bigger and stronger than
both OF US. Sometimes l wish she
were not so self reliant"
When Wayland caught the startled
look on Berries face he knew that she
had learned from her father the con
tents OF his telegram and that she
would require an explanation.
Are you going away" she asked.
"Yes. At least, | must go down to
Denver to see my father. | shall be
gone only overnight"
"And will you tell him about our
trip" she pursued. with unfiinching d.
rectness. And about-me|
He gave her a chair and took seat
himself before replying Yes, | shall
tell him all about II and about you and
your father and mother. He shall
know how kind you've all been TO me"
He said this bravely and at the mo-
ment he meant il. but AS his fathers
big, impassive face and cold, keen eyes
came back TO him his courage sank.
and In spite OF his firm resolution some
part OF his secret anxiety communicat-
ell itself TO the girl who asked many
questions with intent TO find out more
particularly what kind OF man the cid
err NorcrOss was
Wayland's replies did not entirely re-
assure her He admitted that his IA
Their was harsh and domineering In
character and that he was ambitious
10 have his son take up and carry for
ward his work. He was willing
enough TO have me go TO college TIL
he found ] was specializing on wrong
lines. Then l had to fight in order to
Keep my place. He's glad I'm out here,
for he thinks I'm regaining my
strength But just as soon as I'm well
enough he expects me to 90 to Chicago