Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-05-23

wore away, she sang 10 Us in the twilight! |
How strangelya something which made |
the return home, and the long hours of |
evening seem so much brighter than |
they had ever been bef' re, stole into my |
life. never went 10 sleep in church |
now; kept awake 70 look ut Olive
Hunter-to listen TO her pure contralto,
as she Joined in the singing. Sometimes |
caught her eye-for she had a habit of
looking Mt me. Was che wondering how
a face could be 50 stern and grim? !
used to ask myself.
Ashton used 20 look nj her also. lie had
been away when she first came to us, and
when no returned she was grand SUR
prise to him.
ooh, how lovely she is" he had said to
me.
"She is very pretty" | replied.
Ashton laughed.
"May ! never be an old bachelor if il
brings me to calling such a girl very
pretty" he said, and felt conscious that
my check flushed, and felt angry that
he should have spoken of men thus, though
had never cared before.
They liked each other very much
those two young things. They were
together great deal. A pretty picture
thew made in the Venetian window in
the sunset lie fair-haired, blue-eyed,
Saxon looking youth; she so eXquisitely
dark and glowing
Every one liked her. Even my old
clerk, stephen Hadley, used to say her
presence lit the Office more than dozen
lamps, the nearest approach TO poetical
speech of which old Stephen was ever
known to be guilty; and ] never knew
how much she was to me until one even
ing, when, coming home earlier than
usual, / saw in that Venetian window
where Ashton and Olive had made so
many pleasant pictures forme, one that ]
never forgot-that never shall forget as
long as live.
She stood with her back to me. Ash
ton was kneeling at her feet. The sound
of the opening door dissolved the picture;
but had seen it, and stole away to hide
the stab that it had given me.
sat down in my own room and hid
my face IN my hands, and would have
been glad to hide it beneath my coffin-lid.
| knew now that loved Olive Hunter;
that loved her not as an old man might
love child, but as n young man might
love the woman who ought to be his
wife-bctter than had loved Elsie Hall
for it was not boyish passion, but earnest,
heartfelt love.
in love! arose and looked in the
mirror, and my broad shouldered rehcc-
ton flashed before my gaze.
The spring time of my life had flown,
and my summer had come and gone, and
.,,t he I hnI sc
bud and blossom.
knelt beside my bed and prayed that
l might not hate my brother-that |
might not even envy him. His touch
upon my door startled me. He came in
with something in his manner not usual
to him, and sat down opposite me. Fora
few moments we were silent Then he
said, speaking rapidly and blushing like
a girl, "Ncd, old fellow, you-you saw
me making fool of myself just now, |
suppose ,.,r,,
"And thought me silly fellow, eh ?
But you don't know, Ned. You can't
understand-you've been 80 calm and
cool all your life through, YOU know
She's driving me mad, Ned; do believe
she likes me, but she won't say yes. I'd
give my right hand for her love. must
have it, and | think you can help me,
Ned. From something she said, believe
she thinks you would disapprove; per-
haps you are one of the old fellows who
want everybody 10 marry for money.
Tell her yor'rc not, Ned, dear old fellow,
tell her you have no objection, and III
never forget it, indeed won't"
"Tell her have no objection | re-
peated mechanically
"You know you are master here, and
as much my father rs if you We're really
one, instead of brother" said Ashton.
off did not know how kindly you had
always felt to us both should not con-
fide in you, for it is serious thing to he
in love, Ned, and you may thank heaven
you know nothing Of it."
Know nothing of it! All, if he could
have read my heart Just then
"Tll do what lean, Ashton" "Pll try
my best"
And he flung his arms about me in his
own boyish fashion, and left me alone
alone with my own thoughts.
lie had said truly; had been father
to him. / was old enough to be hers,
and no one should know my silly dream.
I would hide it while lived, As | once
said "Pve only the old folks and the
children now" said then, al will only
think of mother and Ashton. Let my
own life he as nothing; have lived for
them--if needs be, will die for them,
too"
But would not speak to Olive that
night, nor till the next day was quite
done. Then, in the twilight ! sat be-
aide her and took her hand
"Oliye." ] said, u think you know
that Ashton loves you, am sure he
has told you so. And you-can you not
love him"
She drew her hand from mine, and
said not one word.
~ shall rejoice IN my brothers happi-
ness. ] shall think him happier in hay,
ing your love than anything else could
would tell you So"
And then she spoke.
"You wish me to marry Ashton@
Repsoach was in the tone-reproach
and sorrow,
of you can love him, Olive" 1 said.
She arose. She seemed to shrink from
me, though in the dark could not see
her face.
81 do not loys him." she said.
And we were still as death, Then sud-
denly Olive Hunter began to sob.
"Ycn have been very kind to me. !
love you ALL" she said, "but ! cannot
stop here now Please let mo 90 some
where else. must cannot live here"
"Go from u.s. Oliver ! said "Nay,
we are no tyrants; and once assured that
you do not love him, Ashton will"
"Hush!" she painted; "hush! Please
let me go away! Please let me 60 awayp
The moon was rising. Her newborn
light fell upon Olives face. Perhaps its
whiteness made her look go pale,
She leaned against the wall with her
little hand upon her heart, her unfath-