Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-05-03
AN EAST BLOW.

The summer hotel among the noun
tains was almost deserted. Half dozen
of the late-staying guests were gathered
in the little parlor, for their last even
ing. A high September wind turned
their thoughts to the desolateness of the
winter months in the White Hills.
Maud Wellington, always a leader in
talk and action, called to the landlord;
Come here, please, Mr.. Little; tell
us how you ever live here through the
winterp"
Wa'al, you jest come up here and
try one of our east blows! ] tell you,
you don't know anything about the
maountings. You only come up here
when it's warm and nice, and Mr..
George he drives his team around, what
dye call it?''
I" Tandem!' suggested George.
Eyes, tantrum: and he takes you
girls TO drive, and it's all pretty. Jest
lot him be here in the winter and he d
drive tantrum, sure enough
Wouldn't it be fun?" asked Maud.
Would you really take us in, if we
came up next winterP"
Il guess most likely could. You'd
have TO kinder put up with things,
though. I'd be real glad to see you,
naow; the winters is awful lonelyr'
II am in earnest. and | will como if
the rest will. / think it would be very
jolly said Maud
Yes, quite too awfully CHASTITY
jolly" mumured her brother George,
whose slang was overwhelming.
Tho nfhapr oil ,N,n,,,;coJ Al I
join her If she formed a party, and the
next morning they separated. and for
got all about the plan and the promise,
as people do.
1t was late in December. The holt
days were approaching. Maud We'll
lington was restless and dissatisfied.
The season had been very disappointing
Everybody was dull and stupid; Ger
mans were tiresome, dinners moro so.
and she was tired of Boston and every
one in it. And all this was because q
certain Thomas Sedgwick Thornton had
not appeared in the city, as she had ex-
pected. 1t was none the less true be-
cause she would have denied it, and
that she had always laughed at him, and
protested to hold him in the most per-
feet contempt. She knew perfectly well
that he was q Woodworking LAWYER in
New York, with little time for holiday
making, but she was quite unreasonable
enough to think that such trifles as BUSH
ness made no difference. He ought to
have admired her enough to have made
any sacrifices, and have made haste to
continue the summers acquaintance.
1t made no difference TO her. also, that
there were many others as assiduous in
their devotion rs he was remiss. He
was the Merdeca at the gate, and she
was unhappy. The wind bowling
round the corner of the house took her
thoughts back to the last evening in the
mountains, and sudden resolve made
her spring to her feet.
Mother" she cried, rushing into the
warm library, where her mother sat doz.
ing before the fire, 81 have made up my
mind. We will go up to the mountains
and see how they look with the snow on
them.n
You crazy girl! we won't do any
thing of the Sort
Mrs. Wellington always made q point
Of seeming TO oppose her daughter
plans, but she always did just what hel
children told her to do. Maud wasted
no words in entreaty, but coolly told hei
that she must go, without more ado.
With Maud TO decide was to act.
George was delighted with the prospect
of such clark" he had not known
what to do with the holidays. Note.
were Immediately sent TO those who had
been with them when the proposition
was made, and TO several others who
might be congenial spirits. When they
had written nearly all, Maud said, will
perfect carclessness:
II suppose you will have to write t(
that Mr.. Thornton. | don't think hi
would add much to the general hilarity
but am afraid il wouldn't do to leav,
him out and ask all the rest who wer,
there"
Fright you are!' said George. "rl
send an invite to the old duffer; he'
not half bad fellow after all. o
course, he won't put in an appearance. )
But it is the impossible which happens
For some occult reason, Mr.. Thornton
chose to join this wild expedition, an,
presented himself at the appointed tim
at the rendezvous. With the exception
of himself and poor Mrs. Wellington
who looked already victimized, il wa
as gay party as Boston could furnish
As usual, it was Maud who was lead
er and prime favorite. But she was ad
mirably seconded by three of he
friends, only q little less brilliant an,
daring than she. Then there were tw,
or three society men, who would hav
gone anywhere that Maud and her Sc
proposed. Little did they care for tn
grandeur es mountain scenery in il
severe winter dress, hut the trim prom
ised much fun and unlooked for oppo,
t,fnities for carrying out certain inter
tons. Last and noisiest of all cam
George Wellington, q Harvard Sophie
more, with an equally rao)xless and hail
Drained classmate, whom tho youn
ladies alternately pettcd, snubbed an
used as foils in their more seriou
schemes.
Mr.. Thornton felt out of his element
as he had done so many times durin
the summer. He was not keyed TO Oh
same pitch Of high spirits and unceasin
gayety. He was grave, quicta ma
who was terribly in earnest about ever,
thing that he did, From the first mt
ment that he saw her he became fasciI
ated with Maud, against his viii an
betber Judgment. Her beauty, wi
caprices, would not let themselves
forgotten. He was angry with her, l
heartily disapprovcd Of her, doze
timesia day; and then, when he wa
must indignant with her, he discoverc