Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-08-10


she will be sick if not attended to in
time. Please call this evening if con-
venient. NJ Il. REYNOLDS
l looked at my watch. 1t was half
past eight o'clock.
joe / called.
Sir And the bushy head again
showed itself at the door.
Harness the roam mare into the
chaise as soon as possible. You should
have handed me the note sooner, and
in that way saved little extra trou-
ble.
don't kwwo why it was, but | put
on my fine boots and brushed my hair
more carefully for that case.
1t wasn't long drive over to Squire
Reynolds, but the night was dark, the
roads muddy, and the ride generally
disagreeable. However, the elements
had no influence on me, and now that
it is past, | think the secret was, / was
falling in love-and that, too, with a
girl / had never seen or heard of.
| reached the house, hitched my
horse, and rang the bell, then stepped
into the dimly lighted hall to wait till
somebody answered the summons
Mrs. Reynolds came herself and con-
Quoted me up the stairs to front
chamber, where small night lamp
showed a fair young girl, whose black
hair fell in wavy ringlets over the pill
low. Her face was slightly flushed,
making it all the more lovely.
Drawing a chair to her bedside, 1
took her hand, and something like elec-
tricity passed through us both, for she
seemed to move suddenly at my touch,
and L could hardly restrain myself
from pressing the little hand to my
lips.
you have some fever, my child, and
are worn out with your ride. Rest is
the best medicine in the world for such
cases, and l guess l will give you a
little jalap, so that by morning you
will feel like yourself again
The corners of her mouth drew
down, and she almost gasped-
Jalapp
Yes, why not, my dear9' | asked.
She colored perceptibly at the latter
part of the sentence, and l felt more
comfortable in my fine boots and care
fully combed hair than if | hadn't
taken that trouble. Was it wrong
when, instead of giving here something
to throw off her fever, | administered
a dose to gently prolong that delight
full state of ennui?
l took her hand once more, pressed
it to mine, bid her goodnight, and
told her would call in the morning.
Mrs. Reynolds followed me to the
door, and asked if I thought Grace
would be sick, and on assuring her
not much, little weak, perhaps, but
the country air would be good for her,
l departed.
/ hummed annie Laurie all the
way home, and in my sleep that night
l read, on a gold background, these
letters-'Grace Ward And an or
ange blossom was growing in each cor
ner.
/ called the next morning, and every
day for a week after, till my Ward,
as I styled her, had come out as fresh
and pretty as a full blown rose.
Mrs. Reynolds got up picnic for
Miss Ward, and intimated that l
would be expected to take her and her
niece.
Exactly on time / was at her door
with my carriage, and the little hand
of her l put in felt warmer, and press
ed mine closer, l thought, than ever
before.
We drove of in great spirits, and
between boating and eating, and romp-
ing through the groves, the day wore
fast away. AS the sun was sitting,
and we prepared to return, Mrs. Rey-
nolds came to me and begged me to
excuse her company, as Mrs. yelling
had asked her to ride in her carriage,
and she hadn't seen her in so long a
time until that day, that she would ac-
cept it if I was willing. From the
bottom of my heart 1 thanked Mrs
WelIing, but out Of politeness said:
I'm sorry to lose your company
Mrs. Reynolds, but, of course, would
rather you should do as you prefer
1 wasn't the only one pleased at this
arrangement. Miss Ward, though 9
little embarrassed, looked as happy al
having my company alone as l certain
ly was in having hers.
After we had ridden mile or more
and she had about gained her self
ooo,,Doc,,ro m boraa oao,o collon;n,