Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-03-07
BOOTS & SHOES.

by-by-shall we say pity! You
are so strong-minded, you know
not timid or retiring, like other
women. All the same, am very
much obliged to you, of course,
and if there is anything can dc
for you, pray command me-" He
stopped padding for a moment,
aud relighted his pipe. "Do you
think of returning to the mission p
he asked. "She might as well un-
derstand that her future move
ments are nothing to me" he added
mentally.
"No."
"Ah! perhaps you intend to re-
main at the Sault 7"
"No."
"Well, in any case, you must al
low me to recompense you in some
small degree for the loss of time or
change of plans l have involun-
tarily occasioned."
"If l need aid, 1 will send you
word"
"Oh, that will not do at all. I
can give you no fixed address. l
think of going abroad, perhaps to
Spain or Egypt. But before | go
/ should like to do something for
you, although l myself am far
from being rich. In fact, you have
had the misfortune to rescue only
a poor man," said Herndon, look
ing into her eyes, with a little
mocking smile. 1t was too much.
A spasm passed over her face,
sudden sobbing seized and shook
her, tears poured down her cheeks
between the fingers that tried to
hide them. There was no doubt
but that she was crying now in the
most weak and womanish way
possible.
Herndon remained motionless,
paddle in hand, staring at her. He
was so amazed that he did not
speak. What! this hardened ma
neuverer overcome at last-this
skillful player throwing up her
hand, and sitting there crying like
baby, because he had said word
or two showing that he had found
her out 4! He could not bear to
hear her sobbing; he bagan to feel
ashamed of himself, and to suspect
that he had been mistaken all along.
The longer he looked at her, the
more he felt inclined to think that
he had judged her wrongly that
there was q character which he had
not understood, one of those re-
ligious enthusiasts that people
talked about now and then in
books. "She must think me q
BRUTE" he said to himself. Then
he began alond, laundering, but in
earnest. "Miss Miriam," he said,
81 beg your pardon with all my
heart. / have made a huge mis-
take all along. / thought you
we're marrying me for my name or
my money, and / now see that /
was all wrong, and that my suspi-
cions have been positively insult
ing. Do forgive me. l am a
worldly sort of fellow, not fit to
associate with such a religious
person as yourself; and such things
are done in the world, assure you.
Indeed, it would have been a first
class maneuver for-for such
woman as / supposed you to be.
Come forgive me. / am deeply
ashamed Of myself. will do now
whatever you please. l will ever
let the marriage stand if you wish
it."
The woman shook her head.
81 thought you would refuse. 1t
would be highly repugnaut to you,
Of course, or to any right-minded
woman but, understand me, / am
willing now to hold to it and to
have IL publicly acknowledged.
Perhaps you are alone in the world,
or desolate. In that case IL would
be better to let IL stand, for then !
could provide for you without COM
ment. We need not be together
at all, you know we could live
quite apart, as so many husbands
and wives do nowadays. For, Of