Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-07-06

idea we should meet any one, or !
would not have allowed Lion such UNI
trammelled liberty"
But Germaine was too frightened
and too angry to graciously accept the
graceful, smiling apology. Her voice
was full of indignation as she brushed
the mud off her lawn dress.
II don't see why haven't as much
right here as you have-yes, and
great deal more, for | am not anulsance
as your dog, and
She Involuntary hesitated and col
ored before adding the remainder of
her saucy remark, which the gentle
man seemed exactly to understand.
Granted that Lion and | are mere
you will understand we
are both strangers in this vicinity, and
are not au fait in the customs here
abouts. Do grant your pardon, and
allow me to atone for my awkardness IN
any way you choose"
He was certainly the handsomest
man Germaine had ever seen, and a
perfect gentleman in manner and speech,
despite the exceedingly plain clothes
he wore.
And Germame, under the grave, yet
halfamused gravity of his handsome,
serious eyes, began to think she had
very silly temper. Then
she suddenly relaxed into a smile that
was like warm sunshine, making her
beautiful eyes flash, and the dimplcs
coquet in cheek and chin.
"Oh, WE'LL was so awfully fright
cned! do-perfectly-hatc dogs
ewing uneasily the magnificent creature
standing by his masters sidc-"and,
besides, was in such deep thought,
and it came so suddenly, and--yes, |
am pretty well ashamed Of myself, and
i beg your pardon"
The charming naivete of her man
ner and the graciously sweet honestly
of her words were simply the essence Of
refreshmcnt to Leonard Burnheld, to
whom, ever since he could remember,
women had been so exceedingly cXas-
perating, uncompromisingly sweet, and
gracious, and fawning, and-yet eager
to please.
Its bargain. You will forgive
me, and am only too happy to par
don you. And may have the pleas
ure of knowing your name|
A tinge of warm color swept over
her face. Then she laughed at him
looking at him seriously.
81 would rather not, please. 1t can
make no difference. You-are strang-
err to me-and | am-quite sure mamma
would rather-not."
He lifted his cap almost reverently.
"You and your mother are right.
Forgive me. Come, my dog"
And he smiled, and went on, and
Germaine, with heart curiously stir
red, continued her solitary walk, but
with thoughts and emotions that for
the first time in her life were new and
strangely sweet to her.
While Leonard Burnfield walked
thoughtfully on, his face full Of ra-
dance that he never thought could
again have been called there by the
sight of woman or the sound of her
voice.
"The fairest face ever saw, and the
sweetest, noblest, purest soul looks out
of the tender eyes Can it be possible
have come home to find my fate in
the first little country girl happen to
cross? And that, too, when Merrivale
has got that magnificent daughter of
his all cut and dried for the position of
mistress of Stonebank~ He laughed,
and whistled to the dog. "Come,
Lion It's mile walk back to Stone
bank, and we are hungry, aren't we"
Only, eating or drinking, waking or
sleeping, he could not get the face OF
Germaine de Courcy out Of his mind,
nor even when, the next day, rs he sat
at the open window of the Merrivale
drawing-room, hearing Constance play
on her grand piano for his especial de-
location.
Zone moment, please he said, alb
ruptly, rs she paused, tell me who
this young girl is coming towards the
house"
And Miss Merrivale looked out, and
elevated her nose AT an angle unmen-
tionable.
ooh. that! She is the most disagree
able, imprudent little mink to be found
for miles around! Do you know, Mr.
Burnfeld, she had the insolence to re-
fuse to sew for me because she could
not fix her own price? And they are
as poor as church mice, too.
Mr. Burnfeld looked politely inter
ested
Indeed! Who is the family
"The De Courcys; and the imperti-
nent little thing plumes herself on her
outlandish name--Germaine. Horrid,
isn't it?"
Every odd, indeed" he said, courte-
ously, but the name sounded like a
silver bell to him-Germaine de Cour-
cy, Germaine de Courcy, the old Nor
man name suited her as the odor of a
lily-ofthe-valley suited its tiny velvety
white bell.
And two hours afterward a mounted
groom delivered at the cottage door an
invitation to Miss Germaine de Courcy
10 attend the reception at Stonebank
AT which Germaine's eyes fairly dane.