Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-02-24
THE RECLUSE
BY MARY WlNlFRED FORD.


ingly.
"Well. IL just depends"
always the same old reply. III just
depends Have a heart. old man"
And Guy made dash for the door OF
the restaurant leading to the street.
entirely out of patience with Jack
Hamilton. who for a year or more had
taken II upon himself TO play the part
OF n recluse. refusing all invitations
10 affairs rendered him by either sex.
hut instead of making enemies by so
doing, he won them over To certain
degree-not 10 his way of thinking
hut they were still his friends. even
though he did refuse their many in
vitatlons. IL must have been the way
Jack smiled when he declined for
Jack did have beautiful way OF de
clining: that is he smiled so charming
~ and looked so innocent that-well.
as his friends would say: "Well, It's
almost impossible TO get angic with
Jack, hut he does try our patience"
As Guy fremont was entering his
home he almost collided with his
younger sister. Virginia.
Guy fremont. you must be in love
10 actually look at me and then run
right into me-" and Virgnia's merry
laugh echoed through the house.
isis. l am sorry. but If l appear
grouchy today, have pity on me and
don't scold." and Guy walked into the
pretty little sitting room. and made &
brave attempt 10 interest himself in a
magazine. and as Virginia looked NJ
the magazine Guy held I'm his hands.
she turned away and smiled
"Well, OF all things-Jack has some
thing on his mind when he will take
up ladies' magazine and hasn't dis
covered as yet what he is reading, "
she thought.
"YOu are great little pal. Virginia,
and am going to tell YOU. dear. | an
not in love. but il is Jack Hamilton"
'Why. who is Jack Hamilton. Guy
Won mentioned him in several Of your
letters, but you never explained just
who and what he was"
"TO begin with. he IS a giant with
a smile that provokes fellow, and he
is the fellow l met out West in 1915
We'll. he came on here about two years
ago. He didn't come 10 this town di-
rectly. While In New York he met a
young lady. whom he thought he loved
and who later told him very nicely
that she didn't care for his company
any longer"
Its rather queer you never asked
him up here, Guy. but then I forgot
perhaps YOU had him here. while was
In New York with Aunt Mary"
ITS next TO impossible to get hin
any further than the club" and Guy
sighed in such way that set Virgins
thinking She was going To help Guy
how or I'm what way she was not sure
but help him she must so few eve
nings later. when she was certain Guy
was at an affair some miles distant
she called the clubhouse and asked FOL
Mr.. Jack Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton. will you come up Il
Mr. Tremont's house at once, please
It is very important-yes, 415 Long
wood drive. Thank YOU"
Bat. Virginia" urged her aunt, VIII,
was making her home temporarily will
them. Guy will be provoked Will
you"
"Now. aunty, you just let me attend
10 this Mr.. Jack Hamilton
"Aunty. there goes the bell-yol
must usher him in-pleaSe. aunty, jus
this once" and giving her aunt gentl
push toward the door she flew int,
the sitting room, half tempted 10 n,
from the house, and rcgretting az tn
last moment what che had done. but he
fore she could move, aunty had ush
cred i'm MIR. Jack Hamilton" and a
she left the room, she failed to hea
an exclamation from both Virginia AM
Jack NJ the same time
"Why, Mazda - can't believe 1T
It's It really your and Jack stoo'
rooted TO the spot.
Ted Thompson. where did you com
from-why, l thought"
Virginia unable TO go on, Jus
dropped into the nearest chair, and re
garded Jack with questioning eyes
eyes that asked a thousand question
at once.
lack recovered himself. and he. toe
sal down. quite near Virginia. "Wh
dii you run away like that Mazda ?
he asked tenderly. IL searched nearl
all New York for you after that night.
virginia burst out laughing an
cried happily: Tell me, ar, yon &c
Thompson, or Jack Hamilton, or di
we both deceive one another for / al
GUY Tremont's sister, and when Hele
Orr introduced us. | had warned he
beforehand not 10 reveal my res
unme-just within Of mine, and the
when found you really cared, Ted
or. +"
yes. dear, 1t is Jack" he said smi
Ingly.
well. felt so mean for deceivin
you regarding my name, th9t / jus
couldn't go on. and that last night q
uelen's reception, ! just had 10 ru
sway frori you because"
Well Mazda"
Virginia" supplied Guys sister, he
face now radiant with smiles.
virginia | can't explain why