Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-05-20

Z 4
she could give up waiting at table
and dealing out clean towels to
medical students.
1t was an unmistakable fact that
Dr.. ] Harry was not the attentive
lover that John had been.
Five years rolled away, ladened
with disappointed hopes for Ida.
Still the doctor came and went as
suited his fancy, but said not q
word nearest her heart. Many
suitors wooed and were rejected,
for Ida would not tliae, but frankly
said she loved another. Mean
while rumor began to chatter that
CDR. Dunbar never would marry
Ida Morton and she was silly to
wait for him, until she dropped in
to the grave with old age"
Rumor is sometimes most start
lingly correct, Notwithstanding her
frequent mistakes.
DR.. Dunbar now visited among
the elite and was considered
catch.
Sickness had prevailed in his
locality to an extent quite satisfac-
tory in business point of view.
Wrinkles of care and time had
marred the pretty face he had SO
often kissed and called "Lis own
little sunbeam ;" but Mr.. Dunbar
was in his prime. His face was
radient, and he could not help con-
traating the weary pale faced Ida,
with the beautiful daughters of
ease and fashion he met where he
was now a frequent visitor, but Ida
was never invited. A fancy dog
and fast horse were added to the
doctors charmes. Could anything
have been more irresistible than
that entire turnout Of man and dog
on softly cushioned seat of q
jaunty little carriage, behind q
graceful, spirited bay horse? {?
The doctor generally rode alone;
it was more noticeable more dis
tinguished. Ida Morton sometimes
wondered that John so seldom
asked her to ride, but thought,
poor fellow, he is SO driven with
practice, that | cannot expect him
to come often.
One summer evening after day
of unusual fatigue and household
confusion, Ida stole out of the gate,
and stood in the shadow of the
trees, hoping to draw a quiet breath.
Lonely and depressed she looked
up and down the street which was
filed with night shadows, and COM
pared 1t to her life. Thoughts of
all the years she had devoted to-
her betrothed, came TO mind
Would he ever take her away from
care and drudgery A chill gath
cred round her heart and she
shivered as the unwelcome convic-
tion almost forced itself upon her,
that John had ceased to love her.
Had she waited too long? querried
the trembling heart-sick girl.
So many, many times her dear
John had said-"we must wait
few months, until business looks
brighter" and as often had the
words almost struggled from heart
to lips eve could be happy as it
is John ;" but delicate repug-
nance against thrusting herself up
on him, prevented uttcrancc.
All these things came to mind,
and distrust became her unwel-
come companion on that lonely
night.
AS usual, love gradually conquer
ed, and Ida drew long breath and
shook off the wretched nightmare
which in those days too often haun-
ted her day dreams, and was about
to retrace her steps to the house,,
when she heard carriage APP.
preaching. at might be the doc
tor" and her heart beat faster. She
was right. 1t was the doctor, but
he drove past, without noticing
her and there was a lady by his
side.
A merry laugh rang out on the
twilight air and waited back to the
girl who had endured ten years
courtship, laden with the words, II
marry Ida Mortons she is too oldw
"Oh ,John, was that your voice!"
moaned the stricken creature, who
clung to the fence for support. The
silence gave no answer, and the
darkness Of night deepcncd and
gave no light. -
Slowly, wcarily, Ida Morton
crept back to a wasted life, bcreft