Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-04-30
FREDERETTA's HERO.

81 wish | could see a real live
hero" and Frederetta Floyd closed
her richly bound Tennyson and
leaned'back in her chair. IF / had
lived in those days of knightly
chivalry how proudly should have
bent my head to wear the jewel OF
love bestowed upon me by such as
Geraint Lancelot of the Lake, Sir
Galahad, but the signing SWANS Of
to-day, who substitute words for
deeds, and if tested would not turn
a finger, should it endanger their
precious lives. Pshaw +! it makes
me impatient to compare them y
and she rose from her chair en-
ergetically and walked across the
floor to the window, where the
mysterious silent beauty of Sep
TENDER afternoon wrought itself
into the surrounding landscape.
"And do you think the nineteenth
century deficient in heroes p
She turned quickly at the inter
rogation from the reclining form on
the lounge. She may have felt
slightly guilty, for her remarks had
been a tacit condemnation of that
person. But she flashed back, ex-
citedly:
eyes, 1 do think the present age
deficient in heroes. / am firm
believer in the good old times
A pair of deep blue eyes looked
at her with something of admira-
ton in their unread depths, and a
gentleman with rather pale but
handsome face, and slight, elegant
figure, rose from the sofa and walk
ed across to her side at the win
dow. She looked almost scornful-
" at the-it seemed to her-effem-
mate man beside her. Would he
never drop this unruffled mien and
do something-she did not care
what-that would betoken energy
"Well, there is no use of getting
cross over it," be said coolly
"we1l have to take the world now
as we find it. Come, get your hat
and walk with met" laying
his hand on her shoulder hall
caressingly. "These rare days will
pass all too soon, and we shall not
have enjoyed them thoroughly
Something in his touch shot
through her little electric thrill
She did not know the latent power
he had over her; dimly shadowet
forth, as yet it irritated her; wher
he willed it would control her. A
casual observer would pronounce
her the most positive character o
the two: a physiognomist would
pronounce it differently.
They stepped out on the broad
piazza into the golden air ant
walked leisurely to an arbor at thu
foot of the garden, passing through
gay bordered walks where brigh
autumn flowers glowed and breath
ed-in flower fashion-in the poten
elixir Of that sun-laden atmospher,
which had matured them into rare
and perfect beauty.
He was a chum of her brothers
and Frederetta wondered wha
Will found in him so attractive
Only few days of their vacation
remained, and then they would
go back to the city.
Everett Reynolds had found hi:
friends home singularly attractive
made so by the presence Of
Frederetta, whose hayward way he
loved to study, though she knew j
not.
Her book which she had brough
along with her lay on her lap. She
threw off her hat on the rustic seat
and Everett, looking at her with
balf-closed eyes, thought within
himself, how fair she looked with
the chequered sunlight caressine
her low brow and bright brown
hair, her white dress and pink
ribbons investing her with the
the charm which becoming dres:
gives to woman.
"won't You read to me T. be ask
ed, at length.
"You do not admire Tennyson =
lifting her lashes to let her eyes
upon his face. "You always rate
him low when speak 10 his favor. y
"You are mistaken. / do admire
him, and / think nothing finer than
a.. sT1,foss He took the book