Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-17

ut was fatal mistake for her TO
come to Omar and 10 this very house
of all places, where I could see her
every day. might have recovered
from the first jolt II I'd never seen her
again. but He waved his hands
hopelessly. I'm beginning to hate
O'Neil."
you miserable traitorr gasped
Eliza.
Yep; that's mel I'm dead to loyal
ty; lost TO the claims Of friendship
I've fought myself until I'm black In
the face. but it's no use. / must have
Natalie"
''She's crazy about O'Neil."
Seems 10 be for fact, but that
doesn't alter my fix. can't live this
way. You must help me or I'll lose
my reason"
Nonsense! You haven't any or you
dor"
IT'S simple. Be nice to Murray and
and win him away from her"
rs that all? Just make him love
meY"
Dan nodded. THAT would be fine II
you could manage IT,"
"Why-you-you-P She gasped
uncertainty for terms I'm which to voice
her indignant surprise. "Idiotr' she
finally exclaimed. You simply cant
be i'm earnest"
81 am. though" He turned upon her
eyes. which had grown suddenly old
and weary with longing.
You poor, foolish boy! In the frs.
place. Mr. O'Neil will hate me for thi.
story. In the second place. no ma
would look at me I'm ugly
II think you're beautiful"
with my snub nose and big mouth
and
You can make him laugh, and when
woman can make fellow laugh the
rest is easy"
In the third place. I'm mannish and
vulgar. and besides-I don't care foi
him"
"Of course you don't, or | wouldn't
ask It, You see. we're taking no risks.
You can at least take up his attention.
and-and when you see him making
for Natalie you can put out your foot
and trip him up
1T wouldn't be honorable. Danny"
Possibly. But that doesn't make
any difference with me. You may as
well realize that I've got beyond the
point where nice considerations of that
sort weigh with me. IL you'd ever
been I'm love you'd understand that
such things don't count at all. It's
your chance TO save the reason and
happiness OF an otherwise perfectly
good brother"
There is nothing ! wouldn't do for
your happiness-nothing. Butch. it's
preposterous"
She continued TO scout suggestions
that she could help him by captivating
O'Neil and stoutly maintained that she
had no attraction for men. Neverthe-
less when she went 10 her room she
examined herself critically in her mir
ror.
In the days before O'Neil's return
she suffered constant misgivings and
qualms of conscience. but the sight or
her brother reveling. expanding, fairly
bursting into bloom beneath the in
fiuence OF Natalie Gerard led her TO
think that perhaps she did have a duty
to perform.
She was greatly embarrassed never
theless when she next met O'Neil and
tried to explain that story in the Re
view. He listened cOurteously and
smiled his gentle smile.
My dear" said he finally, IL knew
there had been some mistake, so let's
forget that ii ever happened. brought
you little present"
Slowly she unwrappcd the parcel |
and then with a gasp lifted splcn- /
didly embroidered kimono from its /
box.
"Oh-hr' Her eyes were round and |
"Oh-hl It's for me-
1t was a regal garment of heavy silk.
ornamented with golden drag /
ons. each so cunning worked that il \
seemed upon the point OF taking wing /
why. their eyes glitter And they'd |
breathe Gre il iabbcd them. Oh-h."
she stared at the gift In helpless
lis il mine. honestiyT
He nodded Wont you put it on
lover these things? Never Again j
Miss Appleton blushed. for she recall
ed that she had prepared for his com
Ing with extraordinary care. Her
boots were even stouter than usual
her skirt more plain. her waist, more
stiff and her hair more tightly smooth
ed back. 1T would take fluffy per.
son TO wear this I'll always keep it.
IF course. and-I'll worship it, but I'm
not designed, for pretty clothes. I'll II
ct Natalie wear
Natalie has one OF her own done in
and | brought one to her
mother also"
"And you bought this for me after
rou had seen that fiendish story over
NY signature"
Certainly" He quickly forestalled
Ter attempted thanks by changing the
subject "Now. then. Dan tells me you
ire anxious 10 begin your magazine
work. so I'm going TO arrange for you
o see the glaciers and the coal fields
{ will be a hard trip. for the track
sn't through yet. but
CONTINUED ncIt week.