Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-03-16

/, would have desired so to honor IN
G family. Had it, believe me, woul'
:. at once have informed you of tina
|, which, with much pain, | must nov
n tell you"
: A dark shadow fell on the Squire
face.
"And that Z" he asked.
"My daughter is engaged already
has been so for six months, to"
"Spare me his namep interrupted
the Squire, raising his hand. "Yor
mean the artist have met here.
knew from the first that he was my
rival. But it is woman's privilege
to change, Mr.. Cathcart-as they
should be, women ut times are am
bilious"
"That is true, unfortunately; but ]
trust not Jennie. Yet, in justice to
her, let it be she who decides. She is
in the morning room, Squire. If she
consents, | can answer for Mr.. Ora
ham relinquishing his claim, and for
my accepting you as son-in-law."
81 thank you. | will at least try"
The vicar watched him from the
room; then, with some anxiety, wait
ed his return.
Could Jennie-would she be daz-
zled by his offer!
Not quarter of an hour had pas
sed when quick step on the gravel
path caused the vicar to look through
the window towards it. 1t was the
Squire leaving the vicarage.
81 knew it !" calculated the clergy
man, with almost cry of joy. 81
knew I was not wrong about Jennie.
Come ill., FOR there was tap at the
door, and his daughter entered.
"Oh, papa !" she calculated, in sad
reproof, "why did you send the Squire
to me-"
For your sake and his, my darl-
ing answered the vicar, taking her
in his arms. "And your reply, Jen-
ME p
"What could it be, papa How
could l be untrue to Nedl What
wealth and position could compen-
safe me for his love I"
Neither Jennie nor the vicar would
have commiserated the Squire as they +
did, had they seen his dark, and low
ering looks, and if they could have
read his thoughts, as he proceeded
through the Trevor woods to the
Hall.
Thus matters stood when October
arrived. The evening of the ninth
was dark, heavy, oppressive; and the
Squire wiped the perspiration from
his brow, as he stood among the
slumberous woods, Warrington whomi
Evidently this poaching, hang-dog
looking fellow that came slouching
toward him, for on his appearance he
made a step or two forward.
81 am here, Squire" he said dog
gedly touching his hat, but keeping a
few feet distant. 81 trusted yer.
STILL" with swift glance among the
trees, "ef yer've got any of yer darn
ed keepers in hidin', let 'em look out,
an yer too, Squire; I'll die game 7"
"Have no fear" said the other.
"Come nearer Stacpool. / am alone"
After moments hesitation, the
man complied.
'Listen to me-" proceeded the
Squire, in low but firm accents. "Do
you know the artist, Enward Ora
ham r.
"Him as is going to marry the vic
ar's daughter
EYES," with fierce spasm of the
features. "He returns here to-mor-
row night. The roads are lonely. /
hate him. If he never reaches the
vicarage alive, your passage to Aus
tralia is assured, and plenty of gold
besides. Do you understand ~
"Who wouldn't" retorted the
poacher.
Wild and black was the evening of
the next day. A gale of wind such
as had never been experienced for
years swept across the land. No rain
fell, but vivid was the lightning that
shot down now and again from the
clouds.
For reasons of his own, indeed,
that no suspicion might rest on him,
the Squire had passed the day at
town in a contrary direction to Sar-
combe, but, tortured by anxiety, and
eager to learn Stacpool's success, hav-