Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-11-05


not follow him. He will come back
to me when the momentary piquC
has worn itself away"
/ the meanwhile, Paul, vaultine
over the low stone wall few PAGES
below, had very nearly stumbled
over the posterate form of man
lying in the red clover blossoms, il
the island of shade cast by an um-
brageous tree, and reading.
"Mr. Van Brugh y
The young artist glanced up with
! "a sort of lazy scorn showing under
his long dark eyelashes.
Paul bit his lips.
Engaged in the noble occupa-
ton of eaves-dropping, eh 2" utter
ed.
"Come now, Estcott, don't be
crusty; / didn't mean to overhear
your conversation but what was
fellow to do? This is the jolliest
place on the whole farm, and ]
wasn't to blame because Miss Hay
Hay came out looking like
Hobe's self to pick red currants,
and you followed like her shadow.
Come, let's go down by the trout
stream, and talk over matters and
things in general. Are you really
in earnest about wanting something
to do ?"
"Of course | am"
"Then suppose you just glance
over this letter that l received this
morning from my uncle. I've no
idea of expiating myself among
the pigtailed cclestials for all the
fortunes that ever was made. But
for an ambitious man-read the let
ter, that's all"
Paul Estcott obeyed, almost daz-
zled for the moment by the brilliant
prospect it seemed to open for him.
"You really give me the privi-
lege of accepting or refusing this
situation 2" he exclaimed.
81 really 90; and considering
that / don't want it myself, it is no
great stretch of generosity on my
part. Only, you see, you have to
decide at once, and be in the city
to report yourself at my uucle's
counting-house within four-and-
twenty hours"
Paul sprang up flushed and ca
ger.
"I'll do it. III show Bessy Hay
that l am no do-nothing after all,
when motive really worth my
while presents Itself. But," CLAN
cling at his old fashioned silver
watch, which contrasted so remark
ably with Mr.. Van Brugh's elegant
full-jeweled chronometer, 81 have
no time to lose."
"Not a second"
"But my trunk ?"
"You can get what you need in
town my uncle supplies the out
fit."
"And Bessy ?"
"Write to her tonight; my uncle
will forward the letter under cover
to me, and / will see that she gets
it."
Paul Estcott wrung his compan-
ions hand.
"You are very kind" he said
81 had almost grown to
regard you with distrust."
Van Brugh laughed showing his
dainty pearl white teeth under the
brown moustache.
"Never judge by appearances"
he said, stake my word for it Miss
Hay will excuse all lack of cere-
mony when she learns all"
Mr.. Van Brugh accompanied
Paul to the railroad station, and |
saw him off with smilingly utter
ed profusion of good wishes.
"The best friend fellow ever
had y thought Paul as the train
moved off.
But he could not see the sardon-
&c grin into which the curves of the
Farwell smile altered when the lit
tie country sation was left once
more to silence and loneliness.
Snow" said Morton Van Brugh,
Il shall have the field all to myself.
Strange how fascinated i have al
owed myself to become with a mere
country girl But there is certain
y something very winning in her
;ype of beauty"
Raeev Hav nevop answered Doul