Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-11-04


him. i thought he was lunger'
"A WHAT
"A consumptive. That IL, did a
first. And IL bothered me- Ii seemet
terrible that any one so fine shoult
be condemned like that, and 30 / die
all | could TO help him, to make hin
happy | thought he hadn't long q
live. Everything he said and did was
wonderful to me. like poetry and mu
sic. And then when he began to grow
stronger and | saw that he was going
to get well. and Cliff went on the
rampage and showed the yellow streak
and gave him back his ring-I didn't
know even then how much Wayland
meant TO me. But on our trip over the
range l understood. He meant every.
thing to me. lie made Cliff seem like
a savage, and | wanted him TO know
Ii. I'm not ashamed Of loving him. /
want TO make him happy, and II he
wishes me TO he his wife I'll go any
where he says-only | think he should
stay out here till he gets entirely well -
The old mans eyes softened during
her plea. and at its close slight smile
moved the corners of his mouth
you've thought IT all out. see Your
mind is clear and your conscience easy
/ Well, | like your spirit. | guess he S
right. The decision is up to you. But
If he takes you and stays i'm Colorado
he can't expect me TO share the profits
OF my business with him, can he
He'll have to make his own way" He
rose and held out his hand. However,
I'm persuaded he's in good hands"
She took his hand, not knowing just
what 10 reply. lie examined her fin
gers with intent gaze.
Il didn't know any woman could
have such a grip" He thoughtfully
took her biceps i'm his left hand. You
are magnificent" Then in ironical pro
test he added: Good God. no, | can't
have you come into my family. You'd
make carcatures OF my wife and
daughters. Are all the girls out in the
valley like your
She laughed NO. Most of them
pride themselves on not being horse
women. Mighty few OF em ever ride
horse I'm kind of tomboy to
them
I'm sorry 10 hear that. It's the same
old story | suppose they'd all like to
live in the city and wear low necked
gowns and high heeled shoes. No
can't consent To your marriage with
my son. | must save you from corrup-
ton. Go back TO the ranch. can see
already signs of your deterioration
Except for your color and that grip
you look like upper Broadway"
She flushed redly, conscious of her
new corset. her silk stockings and her
pinching shoes. It's all on the out
side" she declared. Under this tog-
gerry I'm the same old trailer 1t don't
take long to get rid OF these things.
I'm just playing part today-for
you
He smiled and dropped her hand. NO,
no. You've said goodby TO the cinch |
can see that. You're on the road to OPP
era boxes and limousines What is
your plan? What would you advise
Wayland TO do if you knew | was hard
against his marrying you? Come, now.
| can see you're a clear sighted indi-
vidual. What can lie do to earn liv-
ing? How will you live without my
aid? Have you figured on these
Yes. I'm going TO ask my father TO
buy ranch near here. where mother
can have more OF the comforts of life,
and where we can all live together till
Wayland is able to stand city life
again. Then. if you want him to go
east. l will 20 with him."
They had moved slowly back toward |
The others. and as Wayland came TO
meet them Norcross said with dry hu-
nor: Il admire your lady of the cinch
hand She seems TO he a person Of |
singular good nature and most uncom-
non shrewd"-
Wayland. interrupting, caught at his
'ather's hand and wrung IL frenziedly.
I'm glad
Here. Here" \ look OF pain COW
.-ed the fathers face. That's the fist
she put in the press'
lucy dli lduBheu, anu luen ne grave
Y resumed: Il say | admire her, but
is shame to ask such girl TO marry
IN invalid like you. Furthermore. |
Won't have her taken east She'd
bleach out and lose that grip in year
won't have her contaminated by the
lily" He unused deeply while looking
It his son. Would life on a wheat
anch. accessible TO this hotel by mo-
orcar. be endurable 10 youf"
You mean with Bcreay'
IF she'll 20. Mind you. don't adj
Use Eer to do IT," he added. interrupt
AZ his sons cutlery. Il think she's
aking all the chances" lie turned to I
lrs. McFarlanc. I'm old fashioned
d my notions OF marriage. Mrs. Me ,
'arlane. grew up when women ,
fere hclpmates such as. Judge.
ou've been. OF course its al guess
FORK TO me M the moment. but have
II impression that my son hrs fallen (
ITO an unusual run OF luck As TN q