Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-10-03

IOOUl, SODDlHS llhe emu.
Mary did not offer to follow her
mother, but she sat still and looked
straight down upon the carpet,
while frown settled upon her face.
She was thinking of all that had
passed between John Bramwell and
herself. Bramwell had come to
the house for the purpose of
Offering himself to Mary Marley /;
but with the intuitiveness of
women she precieved his object
and defeated his purpose, and John
Bramwell saw it and understood it
as well as Mary Marley did herself
John Bramwell was handsome
young man, but was also an
indolent man. He did not appear
to have any particular aim in life,
except it was perhaps, to dress
with exquisite taste, and feel
aattered when lady looked upon
him.
Among the many things that
Miss Marley was noted for, was
her kindness and consideration for
those of her sex who was strug-
Cling with adverse circumstances
Among these was a poor young
dressmaker named Amy Bray, who
was the sole support of an infrm
mother.
Bramwell had frequently met
this young girl at Mrs. Marley's,
and learning her necessities and the
patience with which she labored to
support her mother, he, from time
to time, had given Mrs. Marley
generous donations Of money to
aid the girl in her laudable con-
duct. But before he did so, he
extracted a solemn promise from
Mrs. Marley that she would not
mention the fact to any person,
more particularly her daughter
Mary. Oft times when her daugh-
ter asked her for some proofs of
Bramwelps good works, she felt
strongly tempted to give her
evidence, but the regard she bore
Bramwell kept her steadfast to her
promise, and she made no reply.
John Bramwell, at length morti-
fed with the calm Indifference
which his homage won from Mary
Marley, ceased all outward show
of it, and paid attention equally to
every new and pretty young lady,
and seemed determined to dazzle
or charm without really loving any
but the obdurate Miss Marley.
He went deeper and deeper into
frivolities of society than ever, and
night after night attended balls
and other fashionable amusements. |
If he hoped to pique Mary Marley,
he made an egregious miscalcula-
ton. She heard of his pastime
with scarcely word of surprise,
and continued her calm and in
different demeanor.
1t was in early winter that
Bramwell was one night late
returning from party with some
gentlemen companions, that a cry
of fire was raised as they were
crossing a street. The party at
once halted TO observe the direction !
of the disaster, when suddenly the
hamse rolled out of the doors and |
windows of q farme dwelling near
at hand. Bramwell and his COM
panions went at once to the spot |
and found the house alreaey burl-
ing like a furnace. AS much of
the furniture as could be saved .
was thrown out into the street,
when there arose q wild shrek from
a woman's lips. "Save, oh! save
my mother"
The crowd gazed upon each 9TH
er irresolute how to act. 1t reemed
certain death to enter that burning,
roaring dwelling.
"Save, oh save my mother !"
again rang out on the midnight
air, and though strong and daring
men were laboring to quell the
conaagration, yet none started in
response to the wild and imploring
appeal. Suddenly Bramwell, ar
rayed in his party costume, with
lavender kid gloves still upon his
hands, thrust the crowd aside and
sprang into the doorway, amid fall
ing timber and hot scorching fire
A wild cheer arose from the crowd
as Bramwell disappeared.
"He'll never be seen alive again."
growled an old fireman. "No man
can live a minnie in that furnace" |"