Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-02-22

loved you, 1 would never try to hole
you back from marrying him. But
you don't know him as / do, dear
If you could hear and see him Of al
evening in the billiard-room at thu
Clarendon halfintoxicated and swear
ing over his bad luck, you would soor
lose this foolish fancy for him. Ant
he talks of women, too, in shameful
way. No man worth the name would
-"
THAT is quite enough, Mr.. Maxwell,
exclaimed Sylvia Lee, who had beer
listening to the young farmers lecture
with ill-concealed Impotence III
Phillip Carr amuses himself in such
places, is he any worse than you? By
your own account you frequent then
yourself"
"Only since this fellow came here t.
bewitch you, Sylvia" said George Max
well. 81 have watched him, but it was
for your sake"
"Never mind, George. l cannot hear
another word" said the dark, bright
young beauty, looking nervously to
ward pretty bower of honeysuckle:
at the lower end of the garden in which
they stood. II may as we'll tell you al
once that love him with all my heart
and that | have promised to marry him
on the day when my grandfather gives
his consent"
"Dr. Lee will never do that" began
George. HE has always wished you
to marry me, Sylvia. And I--oh, you
know how my whole heart has been
fixed upon you ever since we were lit
tie children playing about this dear old
farm together?"
The girl flushed up and seemed tc
hesitate. She had loved George Max
well. Nay, she loved him now, al
though she knew 1t not
The leaves shook and rustled, al.
though there was not breath Of wind
stirring among the trees.
Sylvia's eyes caught the movement
and her color grew deeper still.
at cannot be, George" she said
sadly. 81 must go away must see
the world. And he can show it to me. u
She drew her hand away and ran
back to the house before George Max.
well could utter word. After few
moments he mounted his fast gray
mare and rode swiftly to the hillside
farm which was his own and from her
window, screened by the curtains, Syl.
via watched him out Of sight. For the
last time. She knew it we'll. George
Maxwell was proud. He would not
kneel to sue for love that was denied,
no matter what he might suffer through
its loss. He would come no more.
For weeks Sylvia had said to her.
self that their tacit engagement was
broken. Now that it was done, she
sat down and looked at Georges pic,
ture on the wall and cried as if her
heart would break.
From the garden, from the honey
suckle bower, came the clear, thrilling
notes Of a bird-a call that she had
listened to many a time during the
weeks just fed. Now she heard it with
start of fright. Her tears ceased.
Owe kept him waiting so long
Will he be angry?" she thought; as
all in a furry of agitation, she bathed
her face and arranged her hair, and
tied the crimson ribbons afresh that
fastened the lace frills at her throat
and wrists.
She stole down the front stairs softly
The warm, perfumed twilight wa.
dropping down above the earth like @
mantle Of darkness and secrecy.
Down to the nrbor sped Sylvia, sure
that she was safe from every eye. Ant
in the arbor she was met by tall, dis
tinguished-looking man, who lifted hel
small white hand to his lips.
GLOW long you have been,. my dear
est" be said reproachfully, drawing
her to the seat that circled the arbor
II began to fear that you were going
to desert me and cling to the young
farmer, after ALL"
"He has gone. l shall not see hin
again. Don't talk about him, please,
said Sylvia rather unsteadily.
}. II hope you don't regret him, darl
ing" said the silky voice. ITO liv'
with him on one of these dreary, lone
ly farms. 1t would be an awful fat
for one so bright and fair. Wait til
you see the elegance, the luxury, the
perfect comfort of city home; an,
then say if you are sorry for place
like these. You will say goodbye Il
poverty, dear, once you are my bride"