Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-02-13
.'S.,c StOOps TO Conquer"
CONCLUDED.

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cd people who exc out living in the
mills are fercely jealous. The little
sufferer smiled again as the found Wis
ion of rest came before her mind and
extended her hand toward his. lie
took it for the second time, and
smoothed it gently. She caught her
breath, and then tried to speak, but
the effort ended in a choking gasp
which shook her whole frame The
end was approaching, and tears were
seen in every eye. "Dear JOB. -
Twas the last spasmodic respiration,
and simultaneously the hand in his
became still, the eyes CLASSY; the body
was tenantless-the spirit had gone
home. Job slowly arose, and turned
away only to meet Annals black eyes
bent upon him in mingled gratitude
and admiration. He was thankful for
L
this mute expression of regard, even
though it came from one born to the
low condition into which he was fore
ed by circumstances. On the follow
ing afternoon the child was buried,
and Job and Anna, in common with
other operatives, attended the funeral.
In the evening they were alone togeth-
er in the humble room, and again Job
wondered why he felt such a deep in
terest in this simple girl. 1t panied
him to think of her laboring in the
MILL and the more he reflected upon
it, the firmer became his resolution to
put stop to it. But how could he do
it? She had opposed his endeavor to
find situation for her as a domestic,
and she would not go into the country.
1t was perplexing question, and a sad
one too, and, singlar as it may appear,
he never asked himself why it was sad.
Thus two or three days passed, and he
could see that her work was wearing
upon her, and he felt that ere long she
would lose that bright, clear complex
ion which had been as sunshine in the
little cot. Was it Egbert Hereford
that meditated thus-that lived this
life, and counted so great these things
that once would have been so utterly
contemplate ? He reproached him
self for his foolishness, and looked at
Annals great broad shoes and tried to
feel disgusted, but those soft, brilliant
eyes met his, and caused his heart to
beat faster. There was a singular
charm in their liquid depths that fas-
cinated him-that created an intense
yearning which he could not describe
to himself Suddenly he pulled a
chair near his, and motioned her to sit
down. She obeyed, and looked up at
him again in that sweet, innocent way.
81 can't tell how it is, lass, but I've
made up my mind that thee shall not
60 to that mill again. Thee must al
ways look bright, an if thee goes there,
thee cannot. Thee be tired now, an
thy hands are blistered. Thee be not
used to hard work, lass"
He took her right hand within his
own, and was astonished as he beheld
its whiteness, and the delicacy of the
flesh. She attempted to withdraw it,
but he only held it closer, and impul-
sively said
Gamma, | am not q Lancashire man
I am not ignorant-not what |
seem to be, but / have learned to love
you, and whatever the consequences
may be, L must tell you. have gen.
tic blood in my veins, but | will risk
everything in your love. Tell me, will
you accept life with me-will you be
my own before God and man ?"
How the crimson tide ebbed and
flowed over her satin cheeks; what
tenderness shone in her lustrous eyes;
how her fond heart throbbed beneath
its coarse covering
30 think think calmly! Do you
love me enough to bear sorrow and
care with me-to drag on, hoping,
praying and struggling? o tell me
trulyp
eyes, Anna; yes I love you as 1
never loved befere-as l never can
love again 1 cannot live without
you, though our life may be one round
of privation. You trust me r'
"Forever and ever p
There were tears on the beautiful
lashes, and as he drew her to his breast
and felt her heart beat against his, his
eyes grew strangely moist. A moment
later the reaction came, and he saw
himself the betrothed husband of
strange girl whose beauty was her only
recommendation. Was be mad ? He