Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-10-24
can never think with anyone else

pecially relatives, II anything, / am n
little more intolerant of q defect in
relative than in any one else. It's
sort of personal reflection; don't you
think sopn
As she spoke he had time to make up
his mind that her attractions lay chiefly
In her imagination and frankness Of
speech. Her nose was not good; her
mouth was large and only pretty when
smiling; her gray eyes were simply
pleasant.
On the whole he decided that she was
a cousin to be mildly proud of
Before he left that evening they were
quite we'll acquainted, and had ex-
changed views on innumerable topics,
ending their talk with some business
like plans for sightseeing the next day.
After he left her he went slowly down
the street towards Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. He finally entered hotel and sat
down in front of one of the large win
dows overlooking the street. Undoubt-
edly his evening had somewhat I'M
settled him. He had found his COM
panion fascinating and original, and as
she made no inquiries for Mrs. Gregory,
he concluded that she did not know of
that lady's existence.
The next morning they found that
sightseeing is a popular business.
They were surprised at the number Of
people who were visiting the public
buildings.
1T is just the same in everything"
said Marion Lawrence. 1--WE think we
have monopoly of some idea or theory
until we speak of it, and we then find
that some one had it years ago and
everybody has been thinking it over
since. have noticed that in sickness
you must always have case in your
own family in order to discover to what
an extent it has prevailed in the neigh
borhood."
She talked on in bright, observant
way, making good-natured comments
on the people whom they saw Before
the end of the first day she had become
quite expert in reading something of the
lives of these people, from their man.
and grooms, and laughed at the con-
spicuous nonchalance which some of
them affected. She was real tourist
and carried a guide-book, which she
was always consulting, aud her face
wore such an expression of conscien-
tious resolve to see everything there
was to be seen that her companion be-
gun to feel the necessity of being in
formed and was glad to avail himself of
an opportunity so fortunate. -
After three days of this, days Of de-
light to them both. she announced her
intention of resting for day before
visiting the Corcoran Art Gallery,
II cannot appreciate pictures when
am tired she averred the evening of
the third day, a. she stood on the steps.
81 am going to rest tomorrow, and
when | 60 to the gallery shall go alone.
/ can remember pictures so much better
when give myself up to them
1t was then that he thought of the
restfulness of that view of the Potomac
as it fades into the horizon on its way TO
the sea, and so he asked to go out in his
boat. The next afternoon at five o'clock
they were on the river. Under his Wig
orous strokes the boat shot through the
water, and, Marion steering. passed
under the aqueduct bridge and further
on to where the stream grows narrower
and the woods on the Virginia shore
thicken and ferns nod on the banks. He
was silent, feeling not altogether guilt
less, but he soon gave himself up to the
pleasure of the hour and was enjoying
himself in the role of what she supposed
him to bean unmarried cousin. He
was watching her face as he pulled
steadily along, and 1t was not without
surprise that he saw in il the passionate
love she felt for things about her. Some
thing had made her beautiful. The
breeze had brought the red to her
cheek, but that was not it; her hair had
| blown up in soft little aureole above
| her brow, but that was not the special
attraction. 1t was her eyes which,
looking now into the green water, now
at the sky, or into the soft gray of the
woods, had grown suddenly large and
luminous with feeling.
They stopped for time at one of the
boat club landings. Marion sat in the
stern of the boat, while her companion
clambered over the high rocks in search
of maiden-hair ferns. 1t was all like n
delicious dream to her. The shadows
were creeping over the already dim
woods, and the darkening water waves
of sweet odors were drifting over her
face, and as he came back bringing for
her bunch of tender greens she looked
up, her face aglow.
There are no words that can express
my pleasure" she said, holding out her
hand, "but / wish to thank you now"
The twilight had come. He took her
hand in his. His own feelings were so
wrought upon by the novelty of his po-
stion and the sweetness of the soul that
was shining through her eyes that his
caution forsook him, and us he felt her
soft, warm hand in his he gave it n
pressure, and after holding it closely
for moment dropped down on his seat
in the boat with a guilty covering of
spirit, and took up the oars.
| Ever since afternoon there had hung
in the east the ghostly shape of the
moon that crept higher and higher like
a phantom, and rs they emerged from
the shadow of the woods there blazed
forth that pale electric flood of light
that sets young hearts athrob. As
they went softly down the stream he
was reviewing the circumstances that
led to his indiscretion, and he did not
excuse or spare himself. When they
landed he placed her wrap about her
shoulders. A faint blush showed itself
in her cheek; it was only for moment;
but it was enough to make him more
uncomfortable than before.
y
II Is interesting to note the estimate
which the world makes of acquaintance
ships, brief or prolonged. man may
extend ten or twelve visits over period
of several months, and at the end of
that time take almost any step without
seeming premature; but if, after u two
days trip on train or boat, in constant
companionship with woman (who, in
nine cases out of ten, will, under those
circumstances reveal more of her inner
life than she would ever do in her own
home); if, after noting all those foibles
and characteristics which come to the