Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-06-15
4 BROKEN IDOL.

BROKEN IDOL.
Mark Challoner had lived to be for
ty-three years old before he saw wom-
an no cared enough for to ask her to
be his wife but the time had come for
HIM at last, IA 1t comes to all men once
IN their existence, the only thing for
which life seemed worth living for
and II dated from the minute he had
first seen Laura Bertram's witching
face
II happened so accidentally-Mark
Challoner, grave, business man, head
OF a prosperous city firm, had many
time felt almost terrified to think how
nearly it had come TO not happening at
all He had been late for his train
something that did not occur once in
year, SO regular and methodical were
his habits-and n dainty young girl,
with big, velvety-brown ewes. and car
nation pink cheeks, and mouth like
twin strawberries for lusciousness of
tint and temptingness of beauty, was
late too, and the two met, fate ordered,
on the platform at Ludgate Hill. three
seconds after the train had left
That Is cXasperating, TO say the
least, he said, as he turned, with
haltveXed smile, towards his fellow
miserable.
Then, whom ho saw the radiant, ex-
quisite face, in all its girlish bloom and
beauty, there went feeling over and
through, and about him that was
strangely unlike anything he ever be-
fore had experienced in his forty-three
years.
She made her broad white forehead
puckcr into n charming little frown as
she turned from the receding train to
his plain, honest face-iust such II face
rs a woman would instinctively trust
out Of thousand faces anywhere.
Il am very much disappointed. [,
wouldn't have missed it for anything,
my friends will meet the train and won
der what has become of me-"
She turned back, disconsoately, tow
ards the ladies waiting room.
of you will allow me to be of SER
vice he said, gravely, with that delic.
iously strange sensation thrilling all
over him. - will telegraph for you ?
and as also have to wait for the next
train, ! shall be most happy to see YOU
safely TO your friends"
Thanks, very much, please do tele-
graph for me to Mr.. Lancaster, at the
Willows, Buckley, and explain. am
his niece
Mr.. Challoncr's face suddenly bright
ened.
"Mr. Lancaster is valued friend of
mine. | am quite sure he would trust
you with me, and he smiled. my
name is Mark Challoner; my home is
just the other side of Bromley"
That was their very informal intro
duction; and, four hours later, Mrs
Lancaster repeated it, tremendously
IN her drawing-room at the Willows.
And then
Well, it bad nearly all happened in
the winter, nearly all of which season
Laura had spent with her uncle and
aunt, and the consequence was that
Mark Challoner had asked the girl to
marry him, and she had not said him
nav.
In all the wild world there was not
a happier, prouder man than Mark
Challoner.
Il will be so good-so good to her."
he was thinking rapturously. "She
shall have everything in the world she
wants-there shall not be n wish un-
gratified that | can hear her express or
imagine she thinks. My bright, bonny,
little, darling, who has flooded my
grave, quiet life with such blessed sun
shine My little Laura wonder how
It ever came TO pass that she could care
for me?
f.. 1t certainly did seem somewhat
strange when purely disinterested
party took it into consideration. Laura
Bertram, young-twenty or more years
younger than he sbe was radiantly
beautiful, gay and girlish, while her
betrothed was grave, quiet, almost re-
firing In his disposition, and possessing
very few claims TO being considered a
good-looking man.
But he was so thoroughly good. He
was as gentle as woman, yet every
bit manly and reselute in what ever he
did or said; and, with might and
force that sometimes amazed himself,
he loved the girl that promised to be
Ms wife, and who had let him clasp her
10 his heart, and received his ardent [
kisses on her smiling mouth. I,