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

throats OF the multitude, and was
unconcious when his friends called
him by name. Fearfully and awful
ly burned he lay upon the ground in
a state of insensibility.
When he returned to conscious
ness he was in his own home, a
badly disfigured man, and so dan
gerously injured that it was sup
posed he could not live very long.
II any one had seen the gay and
handsome John Bramwell, who had
danced so merrily the night before,
had looked upon that swollen, dis
torted and charred face, they would
scarcely have recognized the man
who was 50 much admired.
"And oh, Miss Marley" exclaim-
ed Amy Bray, warming up with
enthusiasm, as he spoke, "to see
that brave Mr.. Bramwell, all dress
ed in his party attire, dash into the
burning house when the old fire.
man refused to stir, was something
truly heroic"
Mary Marley's face grew white
as she listened, and when she heard
that Bramwell was sadly disGgured,
a strange smile, that caused even
her mother to regard her with
amazement, lit up Mary Marley's
face. She had not believed him
capable of such a deed, and as
quick as lightning her conscience
smote her for having misjudged
him. There is nothing so sweet as
the compassion of woman, though
exercised toward a rejected or even
a faithless lover.
Many months John Bramwell lay
upon his lonely and desolate sick
bed, and during this time he had
many kind messages from
Mary, and almost daily visits from
her mother. Mary would fain have
accompanied her mother to the suf-
ferer's bedside, but John forbade it.
that she would ne shock
ed at his altered appearance.
When Bramwell went forth in
the world again, the first visit he
made was to Mrs. Marley's. Since
his accident very few had been ad-
to his presence. lie had
natural repugnance to meeting
them until it could not be avoided,
for he could not bear that they
should see how fearfully he was
changed.
His beautiful features were
scarcely recognized for the deep
scars and seams left on his face,
and his left ankle having been Sc
verely injured, destroyed his elias
tic gait and gave him an unsteady
imp. AS he sat in Mrs. Marley's
lrawing-room, it required all his
courage to meet his friends who
we're coming to welcome him. AS
he caught a glimpse Of himself in
-he mirror, he could not repress a
sigh. How often before he had sat
n the same seat and had seen him
self reflected in the glass-and so
different. Poor Bramwell it was
enough to make him sigh.
But presently there came a rus
lie of silk upon the stairs, and
moment more Mary and her moth
,r entered. A heightened hue was
n Mary's cheeks as she advanced
straight toward Bramwell with
ooth her hands extended. There
vas strange light, too, in her
yes, as she shook his hand and
old him that she was glad to see
lim again.
eyes, we are glod," exclaimed
Mrs. Marley. "This is one of the
lappiest days we have known for a
ong time" They would not hear
If Bramwell making a fashionable
'all he must stay and dine. No
excuse would avail, therefore he
emained, and Mrs. Marley having
excused herself to attend to some
household duties, Bramwell was
eft alone with Mary. Once or
vice he thought he saw tears in
Ter eyes, and he would almost have
'arted with his life for fear of af-
ectation and pity from the girl who
at beside him. "There is no hope
or me now," he thonght. "If she
hunned my appeals before was
isfgured, what would she do at
his momentw
Mary was looking down at the
arpet, in deep thought. Suddenly
he raised her head, and looking
1uarely at Bramwell spoke: