Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-04-21


n about this woman. She must ha,
/. really OWNED his motive, and CON
n to him to save his life. She We
:, again about to leave him, but h
Q put his hand upon hers to detail
her, and found that it trembled
] little beneath his touch.
: "Your hand didn't tremble whe
!, you held the lamp for the doctor,
: said Gerald. "He wants you for
hospital nurse, but / told him you'C
prefer something more cheerful"
"Why, / think I'd like it," sait
, Luane. "You know / must do
something"
81 don't see the necessity" said
Gerald; "you have my aunt's
money, and it will occupy all your
time to enjoy it"
"Your aunt's money is your
own," said Luane, ''and you insult
me by thinking l would take adj
vantage of poor lady's weakness ;
I never will touch penny of it.
Aud Mr.. Erism, you must not
talk"
Zone word, only one pleaded
Gerald. "But for you l might
have been like-like our poor friend
! below" Gerald shudderod and
then tnrnsd pale 81 am cowardly
enough" he went on, "to hate even
the thought of it now. How can /
thank you. Miss Williamsl'
"By taking what is your own,
and using it nGbly and WELL" said
Luane, and vanished, from sight.
But as she left him he ie,,t sud
den throb in the hand beneath bis
own, and saw a quick flame leap
into her cheek, glow to her eyes.
"Three long years." murmured
Gerald, Sand / never knew her till
now"
Gerald was young and strong,
and the fourth day, the one appoint
ed for the funeral, he was able to
he up and dressed. and he well
coined Luane warmly as she enter
ed his room. She looked paler
than ever in her black dress, but
Gerald thought he never had seen
so sweet and noble face.
"How I would like to go down,
Miss Williams" he said, "and en-
joy the surprise Of the good people
below! I'd like to see them bow
and smile to the heiress Of my |
aunt's fortune. I'm as bad as the
rest of them, suppose, for I feel
like making all sorts of pretty
Gerald paused, and his
face grew suddenly grave and ten.
Ter. go now" he added, "and
kiss my aunt goodbye for me I; tell
her ] am quite satisfied with every
thing"
Luane went from the room and
down the stairs. For the last three
days she had been like one in a
dream. 1t seemed awful to be
warm and happy even after she
entered the dark, gloomy drawing
room, even aiIt.cr she had bent and
kissed the cold stern lace for Gera,,1s
and for her self
~ will not take it," she whisper
ed, hot tears raining on the dead
face-"I will not take a
cent of it, but it has given me such
CLEAN of happiness. God forever
bless you for it."
Then the people began to pour
m, and the ceremony commenced.
were the only tears that
we're shed, and the most of the
guests came from civility or Curl
,sity. Miss Erism had taken but
title active part in the world for
many year, and the poor lady
vas very soon put away and for
gotten.
The most important part of the
proceedings was when thew return
I'd from the burial to hear the read
ng of the will. 4
Luane trembled when the pom
,ous lawyer unrolled the parchment
md began in sonorous voice "In
he name of God, amen Z"
What would they think of her.
What would they say of heri Oh,
low glad she was, and how ignor-
mt,
But even while she thought thus
'he heard the lawyer read: To my
,eloved nenhow Gerald Erisrn