Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-04


ing vengeiully at the end of a cigar.
J "Hey-day. What's the matter witt
you, my son? ?" queried the old gentle.
man looking over his spectacles.
"Matter, father? Confound it, how
provoking you are," exclaimed Francis
kicking a chair halfway across the of.
flee. "But I'll tell you, and then
if you don't get mad you've
lost your blood, that's all. I've not been
blind to Alice Hewland's beauties-who
has9 Every girl in the mill is envious,
every man wild over her. Well-I--yes
curse it. asked her to be my wife, Of
fered her the finest home in the city.
and-what do you Think"
"She accepted, of course.
"No, she refused me point blank"
"She dared to do this after your con-
descention?"
DARED, yes and with scorn in her
eyes and on her lips, replied the young
man, shifting his fists together. II ask
ed why, and with smile on her lips
that would have becomes duchess she
answered: "Because 1 don't choose to
accept your kind offer, Mr.. Darrimer."
And she, dependent upon our looms for
her living,she in her calico and brogans
l would have slapped her mouth fer her
insolence."
The old man grew very pale, his lips
twitched nervously but he said nothing.
Turning around he struck the bell,"
and in answer thereto the second
overseer made his appearance.
" SendAlice Rowland to me, "said the
mlll-owner, in a voice tremulous with
passion.
In few moments Alice walked in
with modest dignity, and bowing asked
what was required of her. The old man
looked at her sweet, white face, her Ius-
trous dark eyes, and her glossy black
hair disposed so neatly about her finely
shaped head, and remarked abruptly.
"We shall need you no longer, Miss
Howland."
"May l ask why ?" she said, conceal
ing the surprise and pain she felt.
because we don't choose to accept
them; that is all, Miss Howland," he
sneered.
She turned for an instance her eyes
rested upon young Darrimer with pitiful
contempt; then taking the money the
senior partner pushed towards her, she
left the office.
Returning to the second floor she put
on her bonnet and shawl, and bidding
her nearest neighbor goodby, once more
passed down stairs, ,and for the last time.
Well enough she knew why she had
been discharged, but she would starve
ere she would marry one she did not
love, least of all such dissipated fellow
as every body knew Francis Darrimer
to be. There we've other mills in Lowell
she would not be discharged; she had
seen harder days than these since she
ran away from Hardscrable, days when
it seemed that life would depart for
want of food, so she could afford to be
cheerful now, and think of the few dol
lars she had in the bank. The next
morning she visited the other mills, but
the proprietors looked askanes at her
and shook their heads. This cut deep
into the pure, sensitive nature. Was it
not enough for the Darrimers to drive
her away from the mill without seeking
to injure her character, her dearest pos
session? Truly, they were noble men
10 make war upon an innocent, defence
less girl. 1t was evident that she must
leave Lowell, and the thought panied |
her, for she had come to regard the |
place as home. Six years residence
there ought to give people confidence in
her: but alas when one foul breath as
sails woman's name it is irrevocably
gone. Drawing her vail down over her |
face to conceal her tears, she hurried on |
TO her boarding house. As she entered
she heard his name pronounced, and |
looking around she saw a stranger
in the parlor door. He reques-
ed her presence and she granting it, he
showed her several articles of baby ap-
parel, remarking in answer to her look
Of astonishment that he bought them of
Ezra Bunker only a week before.
"Then he is alive yet,"she said imedi-
"You know him then, you ran away
rom him did you not ?" said the stran-
ger.
Alice looked at the man searchingly
put made no reply.
ado not be afraid of me, have it in |
ny power to serve you. 1 have been on
he watch tor you more than year. 1
lssure you | am your friend. Will you
answer me now,"
ssYes. lived with Ezra Bunker until
was about twelve years old, think;
hen 1 ran away. / could not endure
lis abuse. There, have told you the
ruth, and if you wish to use it against
ne the remorse will be yours and not
nine."
"Don't judge me so harshly. 1 am
ough man, know, but my business
makes me so. am detective. L want
'ou to get ready to take the six o'clock
rain for Boston. Tomorrow morning
We will go to New York"
She glanced at him once as if she
would read his inmcst thoughts, and ap-
'arently satisfied that he was honest, she
vent to her room to prepare for her
Quincy.
Standing in bay window that over
ooked q beautiful garden, were two
and sister, the latter
ct in the early stage of mature beauty.
'ut the former prematurely old, with
ray hair and wrinkled face seemed but
he shadow of a man. Hatred of life, {
umiliation, both inspired by grief,were ,
n his eye, and scorn eurled his lip.
"See there brother, are they not love-
"" said the sister, pointing to two :
orms that moved among the flowers. ,
See his golden hair, and her dark tres
es side by side, could more splendid I
ontrast be made? Now hear her laugh, I
that music !surely that must touch your I
cart" In