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

very well. "The attraction, no doubt
is great to an artist" and his glanc
wandered to his pretty daughter
"By the way, Jennie" he proceeded
81 have contribution to your album
of Family Superstitions.' That vii
lage oak has one twined about its an
cient branches"
"Has it really, papa 7" she smiled
leaning upon his shoulder "What is
it|
Ned Graham also showed much in
terest; the vicar told what the old
sexton had said.
"Why," laughed the artist, "there
is capital subject for either picture
or poem"
"Thep, suppose, papa said Jen-
ME, "if one night the old oak on the
green were to blow down, there would
be an end Of"
"Mr. Trevor, sir!' said the servant,
opening the door.
A merry glance passed between the
young people.
Exactly p smiled the vicar, as he
rose and went into the library where
the new Squire awaited him.
The Squire was handsome man of
about thirty, but with the expression
of one whose time had never been
we'll employed The eyes were bold
and dark, the mouth logged more
than determined.
AS the only heir to the late Squire,
who had died q childless widower,
Marmaduke Trevor had led wild,
reckless London life, aware that his
future was assured.
The death of his uncle had sudden
ly aroused him from an existence as
idle as dissipated, and he had hasten
ed to the Hall.
BE was by no means 10th to take
possession, and had already formed
plans for a merry future; but the
drear solitude of the place at present
was unbearable to one accustomed to
q succession of amusements.
So, using his OWE words to Mr..
Cathcart. "He had taken the liberty
of throwing himself upon the wears
hospitality
Indeed you are welcome, Squire"
the clergyman rejoined. "No doubt
you do find it dull, especially to-day.
This quiet slumberous village is
striking contrast for one used to the
great city. We will go into the draw
ing room. There are younger peo-
pie there, who will make it, no doubt,
more cheerful for you."
The Squire readily assented, and
for the first time, beheld Jennie Cath
cart, in whose society he had not
been long before he felt toward her
as he had never before felt toward any
woman.
Seated talking with the vicar, his
looks followed her everywhere, but
lowered darkly as he detected the
evidently high place that Ned Ora
ham held in her regard.
"That fellow will be an obstacle to
my success with Miss Cathcart," re-
Elected the Squire. "Yet perhaps not.
Women are ambitious, and, to become
the mistress of Trevor Hall, would be
a great temptation. Yet, supposing
some engagement exists between these
two, and the girl holds to i'll Then l
should admire her the more, and be
the more determined to make her my
wife,"
The days passed on, and the Squire's
visits to the vicarage were frequent.
Ned Graham, the artist, did not
like it and so told Jennie. She, how
ever, laughed at him.
However it was not long before the
artists words were verified. One
morning, Marmaduke Trevor, appear
ed early at the vicarage, requested to
be allowed few words in private
with the vicar.
When closeted together in the study,
he confessed the passion with which
Jennie had inspired him, and pro-
posed for her hand.
Mr.. Cathcart sat while silent. He
had listened with surprise--with re-
greet.
His silence, the perplexity marked |
on his vissage, inspired the Squire
with confidence. Evidently the poor
parson was overwhelmed by an offer
so unlocked for.
"Surely, Mr.. Cathcart," he remark