Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-01-11

no, never, Philip, though everyone
else should condemn you. / believe
and trust that this strange mystery will
be solved
SYLVIA"
Philips's preparations 10 leave for
Australia were rapidly completed.
my very first letter home" he said
to his mother, rs he embraced her at
parting, shall contain Franks con-
6rmation Of the truth Of my statement.
When my reputation is clear, and |
have accumulated enough money to
meet the requirements Of Mr.. Graham,
l will rettiru and claim the dear, faith
full girl whose love is proof against all
suspicion"
Another misfortune, however, await
ed the young man when lie reached his
destination. Frank Alden had fallen
a victim to fever that was raging in
the colony, and had died two days be-
fore, directing that everything he left
should be delivered to his cousin as
soon as he arrived.
Then at this fatal termination Of the
hope that had buoyed him up on the
voyage over, Philip Marston would
have welcomed death, had it not been
for the remembrance of the trust and
confidence Of those two dear ones at
home. The closing words of that pre-
4 cious note revived his almost sinking
hopes, and drawing it from its conceal
ment, he read them again and again.
II believe and trust that this strange
mystery will be solved
Here, then, lay his present duty, and
he would prove himself worthy of Syl-
Was belief and trust by performing it
faithfully. He sent brief letter to
mother, and then set to work to earn a
fitting dowry for the girl he still hoped
to make his wife.
Meanwhile, in the home Philip had
left, things went on much as usual
The mortgage had been paid, but Mr..
Graham had taken no steps toward the
proposed repairs-he must wait, he
said, to recover little from the loss of
that two thousand pounds, before max
ing any further outlay; and Sylvia felt
very little interest in the matter.
So passed two years, bringing some
new residents to the town, and among
them a physician, already possessed of
n good fortune, and who would readily
secure large practice, He secured
something else, also, almost immedi-
atey-the favor Mr.. Graham, who OBJ
served with qualification the deep in
terest with which DR.. Stanton regarded
Sylvia from the first moment of his in
PRODUCTION to her.
II shall begin my long projected re-
pairs on this house next week" Mr..
Graham said to his daughter, one even
ing; Il will have it thoroughly reno
waited and refurnished from top to'bot-
tom, so that YOU may have home to
be proud of"
"Refurnished, father" said Sylvia,
chat seems hardly necessary"
perhaps not, under ordinary cir
cumstances," said Mr.. Graham "but
/ have something else to tell you. |
have received an offer for your hand,
and one which you will, hope, be dis
posed to consider favorably."
"From whom, father?" Sylvia asked
very quietly, although her check grew
paler than usual.
From the very one | should have
selected out of hundred-Dr. Stanton.
What do you think of that, Sylvia ?"
II think DR.. Stanton an excellent
and worthy gentleman" said Sylvia,
steadily "but ! cannot marry him,
father-indeed | cannot"
Chat is all right" said Mr.. Graham.
"a young lady is not expected to jump
at an offer, however desirable and graf
flying. have labored for your benefit
and welfare all these years, and shall,
hope, find that my kindness has not
been thrown away, or unworthily be-
slowed :" and rising from the chair, he
kissed his daughter lightly on the fore
head and then left the room, while
Sylvia buried her face in her hands to
hide the tears that were trickling
through her fingers.
And while she sat there, fearful and
Respondent a ship was speeding over
the ocean, bringing Philip Marston to
the deathbed Of his mother. Her last
letter had reached him at time when
the tide Of good fortune, started with
his cousins capital, was flowing in up
on him with lavish abundance-a let
ter imploring him to return, that she
might see and bless him once more be-
fore she died-and, leaving everything,
he had taken passage in the first YES
sci, due now in few days. But OF
this Sylvia knew nothing
The repairs were nearly completed,
and the workmen were busy in the
room where Mr.. Graham had been sit