Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-10-17
And the little old man chuckle,

|
she is getting up quite stir amoni
4, these folks. l rather like her. Their
goes that other one again. I suppos'
it is Maria Dalton but she's made ,
slight mistake ;"
"What do you suppose John Hay
ward cares for you? You have no
even pretty face to recommend you
and, then, you are nothing but a beg
gar! Bah what ninny you are "
"Will you tell me one thing ?" came
in faint, pleading voice. care you
and John going to be married ?"
There was quite a pause, and the
man grew impatient.
Then came the answer, sharp and
malicious
eyes, we are !"
"Ohp
This exclamation came from Hattie,
and it was so full of pain and despair,
that the old man involuntarily stepped
into the room,
"The weather seems to be unset
tied ?" said he to himself, "and I shall
not be surprised if some of these folks
get wrecked in the storm. What a
hornent's nest it must be And there
is the queen herself" he added, as his
gaze fell upon Maria Dalton's dark,
handsome face.
She stood in the door leading into
the great entry, with her hand raised
threateningly, and her black eyes
flashed angrily, while Hattie Sinclair
stood by the window with her back
turned toward her tormentor, that she
mil ght hide the tears which were
streaming down her flushed cheeks.
Neither of them saw the old man,
and he spoke to make his presence
known.
"Good-day, ladies, I've been taking
a little tramp hereabouts, and, as 1 got
rather tired, I thought I would stop
in and rest little"
"Yor are welcome" said Hattie,
turning her fearful face toward him.
But Maria spoke tartly:
owe do not keep hotel. You
will find one at the village"
"But 1 am not at the village" said
the man, cody taking a seat, and |
chuckling to himself as he saw the
dark cloud gathering on Maria's face.
81 am very tired, too, and quite hun
cry"
The cloud grew blacker; but ere |
the storm burst, John Hayward en-
tered the room. |
Instantly Maria's face was all SUM-
shine.
"Storm is past for the present."
thought the little man "but there is
no knowing how long we shall have
fair weather, so 1 will make the most
of it," Then to John Hayward II
just stopped in to rest moment, and
get bite to eat"
"You are welcome, sir" said John,
frankly. "Hattic, will you get him
lunch Or, perhaps you will stay to
tea ?" |
"Thank you, sir; I will go on to
the village, where, that lady tells me,
there is hotel !" |,
Maria shot him look out Of her
flashing eyes that called smile to ,
his face. But John did not see it If
Tor he was watching Hattie as she r
lifted here and there, preparing the |
unch for the visitor. Then he and I
Maria left the kitchen. I
The man was apparently very hun. 9
yry judging from the length of time
'equired to satisfy himself And all '
he while he was plying Hattie with n
questions about herself and her par 1
'nts, till the poor girl began to think O
'e was crazy. But at length he arose
o so, and with many thanks to Hat c
lie, and promise to see her again s.
oon, he took his departure. h
A week past; and the old man again h
TODD at the door of the Hayward
arm house. 1t was quite dark, and y
e sat down ON the stone step, listen h
ng to the joyous music and the hap
y laughter that came from the house: A
Presently little figure fitted past o
I'M, and he recognized Hattie Sin
lare. He hurried after her, and soon n
vertook her. h
"You left them at last ?" said he, a
"Where are you 60
ng ?"
al cannot tell" said she; stopping
nd looking back to the house. u
Poor child She had not thought
{ that. 4
"You can 60 with me-" said the
nan. "Your father was my brother (.