Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-03-25


didn't make a bigger fool Of myself
than ] did.
slipped the note in her aunt'
hands that night, giving it an I'M
ploring squeeze.
~ shall wait i'll the summer house
at the end of the garden" | wills
pered, "don't keep me long witt
the answer"
| drew q favorable conclusion
from the manner of my fair embas
sador. A faint color came into hel
cheek, and she gave me one look al
she went away that said plainly
"I'll do all | can for you"
| didn't sleep much that night
and can't exactly remember how
stumbled to the SIMMER house II
the morning. was scarcely strong
enough to walk without aid, ano
what with weakness and a tumult
of emotions that assailed me, sank
upon the seat trembling like O
woman. =.
You may be sure did not quit
trembling when l saw a fluttering
! little figure at the end of the arbor
had not expected her to bring
the answer herself. 1t was toe
much happiness. | staggered to my
feet. She was there, within a few
feet of me the most beautiful face
in the world was smiling up into
mine. She held out to me two
dear little white hands.
II am so glad" she said, sit has
made me so happy. Of course the
answer is !es."
1t made me strong. l gathered
her to my heart. MY dear LITTLE
girl" said, lifting her completed,
of her feet, and kissing again an'
again her shining hair, ''my owl
little darling, my sunbeam " Sud
denly big shadow doomed up be
side us, and there in the doorway
stood the doctor.
1t didn't embarrass me in the
least. | strove to detain Laura
and was about telling the doctor
everything, when to my surprise
and alarm, Laura struggled away
from me, and, bursting into tears,
ran sobbing out Of the summer
house.
The doctor still stood there, his
brow black as a thunder cloud, and
his eyes flashing like lightning.
/ certainly considered myself the
aggrieved party, and wondered
what made him so glum.
"You've shortened the happiest
moments of my life, Doctor" l said.
"What made you stumble this way?
He took off his hat and wiped
the perspiration from his forehead
his hand trembled j.; he was pale to
his very lips.
"What does it mean," he MUIR
INJURED. "Cracious God what does
it mean 2"
"NIean :" ! cried. at means
happiness it means love-an en-
gagement :"
any God." he said starting back,
can engagement with Laura
Why, she's engaged to me :"
Now it was my turn to fall back
in amazcmcnt only for a time,
though. l pluclled up again very
soon.
That's bad, doctor, I must con,
fcss-for you. I'm sorry, but
supposeLaura has-a-has changed
her mind"
"Never :" shouted the doctor
"False to me-never. | won't be
lieve It. It's a matter Of gratitud
with her. She thinks you save
her life"
$50 | did save her life," said /.
wndirectly, yes" said the docto'
"But it was your fault that til
stump frightened Whisker."
"And it was my arm and m
strength that saved her from beir
dashed over the cliff"
"And | set your arm and brouSI
back your strength. l saved yol
life !" said the doctor.
II am much obliged to you,"
said. holding out my hand to hi
~ never knew how to value it b
fore. Come, let us be friends"
"On one condition." he said
chat you leave this place in TIVE
ty-four hours. / give you my woi
Hodge, Laura loves me. She's
good-hearted, impulsive child, a
has engaged herself to you out
gratitude and pity alone"
n "Stuff and nonsense !" said /,
whom all this was not very palat
BILE. "She came to me Of her oN
free-will, in reply to my letter, a
I told me that my love had made h
glad and happy"
Hodge" cried the doctor, g
your SOlll, 10 tlidl lIuc
"On my soul and honor" l
piled seriously. He turned deaC
pale again. There was an eXpr
sion of unutterable rage and gr
in his face.
"Then / shall leave this place
twenty-four hours" he said boar
s, ly. "You are welcome to her."
Then he strobe away, leaving
. feeling rather uncomfortable for
time.
The next morning started {
:. early for a walk to the doctc
o. boarding place. was really afr
that he might commit some des
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