Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-08-27

song Pray does Algy live?"
Live Certainly not, Mr.. Quick
poor, dear Algy, he died in 1S4S. Poor
dear Algy |"
A weight was lifted off my mind ;
but never having previously heard of
"poor, dear Algy" my curiosity was
stimulated, and determined to pursue
my inquiries further.
"Dear me-" said, moving my chair
closer to Mrs. johnson, "pray what
was the nature of Algy's complaint "
sob Mr.. Uriah," she murmured,
placing one hand in mine while the
other held the handkerchief to her
eyes. "You have a sympathizing
heart, Mr.. Uriah, is it not so ?"
1 admitted the fact, upon which she
gave my hand another squeeze. Ara
minta and the annuity could not be far
off now.
"He was my second, and 1 think ]
loved him better than the rest"
Indeed" 1 replied. "Why, ]
thought, Mrs. johnson, you never had
but one."
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Uriah 1 have had
three" answered the grief stricken
woman.
Determin ed not to be daunted in my
investigation, I asked, "Were they
girls or boys, Mrs. johnson
The widows hand was suddenly with
drawn from mine; then bending upon
me look, in which pity and indigna-
ton seemed to be strangely mingled,
she said, "I do not understand you,
Mr.. Quick. !"
The blood rushed to my cheeks, and
/ know blushed horribly at the con-
seriousness that somehow or other i
had, vulgarly speaking, put my foot
in it." What made the matter worse
was that Mrs. J. s last inquiry had dis
turbed Araminta and the hated Smith,
and they also were looking inquiringly
at me. "Pray, ma'am, were you-you
not speaking of your chil-children? 2"
L stammered.
Children no. sir p she exclaimed,
drawing herself to her full height, "I
spoke of my hus6ands!"
Involuntarily 1 drew my chair a few
PAGES from the terrible woman from
whose clutches was bent upon res
cuing Araminta. 1t was very rude and
pointed of me, but / could not help it.
Lucky for my purpose was it that this
revelation had not come sooner. Had
l known how things were, l could pot
have had courage to escort Mrs. j. from
church SO frequently. No matter, my
design was now nearly accomplished
Araminta, / felt sure, would shortly be
mine, and it would be my care to see
that she should not follow the fearful
example of her mother
l recollect nothing of what transpired
after this until 1 found myself outside
the house with Smith by my side. He
had been talking some time ere L
listened, but sudderly my ears caught
the name of Araminta, and then / be-
came all attention.
"You have inhuence-great inhu-
enee, as any che can see, with her
mother. You might put in word for
me-"
"Why?" 1 in suired mechanically.
Because you might be enabled to
gain her consent 10 our marriage"
To your marriage? Marriage with
whom; ?"
Why, with Araminsa, of course
Don't you know that if the girl marries
without her mothers approval she loses
1900 year ?"
"What have youtproposed to herr"
"Not yet, but l mean to shortly.
That's Why I want you to talk about it
to the old woman"
What" / obser-ted, ais filthy lucre
when weighed against true love Z"
Exactly" said he, "but / don't
care about the girl without the money"
This then, was the mean, eontempti-
BILE creature who had been keld mp to
me as a paragon amon9men. He could
not associate Araminta, from her yearly
income. The two must come together,
or she should never bear Has name.
Oh paltry scoundrelll Had he been
short and tail, / would have crushed
the lie ont of him as he stood before
me. But nature has made rue short
man, and Smith towers foot above my
head, so prudence repressed all my
bellieose inclination.
I We had now arrived at q road where
he had to take one direction and the
other. He wrung from me hall
promise that 1 would say what could
m his favor, and then we parted. Twas
glad to be quit of hin, for / now knew
that he had entered the hsts for Ara
minta; and l wanted to mature my OWL
plan of action. / resolved TO declare
my passion the next night.
The resolution with which retired
to rest was strengthened when arose
and from the first hoar of business t.
the time when returned to my lodging
my purpose remained xnaltered. Wher
and under what circumstances was i
best to proffer my suit? Twilight
Yes, in "the twilight's holy calm"-ir
that romantic hour when the shadow
deepen, and all aroand gives token O
the approach of night, / would address
to her words of love.
saw it all, and dressing myself Will
scrupulous care, strobe forth upon m.
mission. As paced the strip of patl
which led to the portal of my beloved
1 saw through the parlor window, in tn,
cleaning, hand wave a welcome t.
me. A thrill of delight passed through
me as 1 felt that it must be her-m.
beloved.
} so well had I become known at tn
little villa that it was not necessary
should be announced by the servant
She, with knowing smile, motionini
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