Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-06-01
NEVER LOAN YOUR LOVER.

Wont YOU lend me your Philip,
only for tonight ?" and pair of bright
laughing eyes looked plcadingly into
mine. "Hc is so handsome, so full OF
fun-in fact, ever so much nicer than
any one know; and ] am certain you
would not be at all afraid of poor lit
tie me.
looked up quickly. was not OF
a suspicious nature but there seemed
TO be something unpleasant in the soft
tones Of the girls voice. But the hon
est ewes gazed straight into mine, and |
reproached myself severely for my un-
kindly thoughts.
Helen Egerton was my most intimate
friend. She was the ON " and petted
daughter of wealthy merchant and, as
she had been travelling during the past
wear. had only known Philip since my
engagement to him. She was year
nv Junior, but we had been play
mates ever since | could remember.
She was wondrously beautiful my pen
fails me when attempt to describe her.
But chief among her many charms
were her eycs-changeablc as an April
dav, with look of innocence and hon
estv that made YOU trust her to the ut
most.
was hattered that this lovely girl,
so rich in physical beauty and this
worlds goods, should plead for the loan
of nv lover. And Philip, my hand
some Philip, and, better than all, a
man both noble and true-could / lend
him to any one, even to Helen Eyer
ton?
1t was a great sacrifice, but | made
if. and gave him over into the hands Of
this beautiful and fascinating creature.
Such is the confding trust and atiec-
ton a woman places in those nearest
and dearest to her.
We had only been engaged four
months, Philip and !, and naturally,
though not exacting, felt little bit
Jealous that he should have yielded,
almost willing, / thought, to the even
ing's arrangement. Yet, when he call
eel on his way to Helen's house, dress
ed in the costume Of noble in the
time of Louis XVI-when he fingered
bv me until past the time that she eX-
pected him, telling me his was an equal
sacrifice with mine-I could not but
believe him.
He did so wish had changed my
mind and was going; that Helen was
very sweet, and all that sort of thing,
but she was not Mabel-Queen Nab,
as he called me. Then starting up,
exclaiming mt the lateness Of the hour,
he kissed me good night; and Il
never loved him as | did at that mo-
ment, when he parted from me with
expressions of regret still upon ms
lips.
| was poor, but, as Philip said, "my
face was my fortune" | was not 50
handsome rs Helen she was blonde and
/ a brunette; ] was much the taller,
and lacked that piquancy of express
sion and manner which made her so
charming.
The party TO which Helen and
Philip were going was masquerade.
We had all been invited, but having
lust recovered from n slight illness, it
was deemed best that | should not 20.
So | was left alone in the little room |
called my library. The drop-light
cast soft CLEAN over my book my
feet rested on the fender which sur
rounded the open CRATE. Everything
seemed calculated to make me happy.
But my book slipped through my
fingers as a thought passed through my
mind, and, springing up, | left the
apartment and fastened to my room.
There was a domino and mask which
/ had never worn--had purchased be-
fore decided to stay at home. These
hastily donned, then dispatching my
servant for carriage, and, ensconsing
myself in one corner Of the vehicle, ]
began to picture in my mind the sur
prise Of Helen and Philip when ] dis
covered myself to them. l could see
Philips eyes light up with amazement
and delight, and / could hear Helen's
voice call me dear old thing"
In fact / was so immersed in my
thoughts that / reached my destination
before / was aware of it. / reached
the dressing-room unobserved, and,
after handing my wrap to an attendant
| descended to the drawing-room.
The first person saw unmasked was
an intimate friend of my father-a
wealthy bachelor, who had been sutton
for my hand at the same time with my
Philip. So, going up to him, made
myself known, and explained my APP
pearance minus my lover, and had no
cause to complain Of the inattention OF
MY escort.
I sought eagerly among the dancers.
knew Helen's dress was TO he that Of