Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-10-24

words seemed to burn into her brain.
Then he had wife, to whom he had
never referred or even alluded, AMI she
had been going about with n man as
her escort whose wi had never rocog-
nized her presence, and who possibly
did not know of il. No wonder that
the pressing of cousins hand was
such serious business TO him. She
was so indignant at the deception that
she felt that she could not see him again
She rapidly packed her things, took a
hasty dinner and drove away, leaving
brief note to be given TO ''the gentleman
when he calls this evening"
When that gentleman did call the
servant at the door gave him the note.
which he paused under the nearest
street lamp to read. 1t only said that
letter just received had changed her
plans. She bade him goodbye with
formal thanks for his attention. He
thrust the letter in his pocket and strobe
down the street.
Three weeks passed during which the
demon of work seemed to possess him.
He toiled early and late and at the end
that time took ten days leave and went
TO Ohio to vote. Instead of going TO
his home he went straight to the town
where Marion Lawrence had gone. The
more he thought of her abrupt departure
the more was he sure that she had some
inkling Of the deception he had prac-
ticed. He went to the little hotel which
fronts the principal thoroughfare and
afterwards wandered about the stray
Cling village. 1t had been raining, but
was then bright. All traces of the rain
had disappeared excepting the inevita.
BILE puddle in front of the corner gro
Gerry, worn deeper each day where the
farmers teams impatiently stamped.
He intended to 60 to the house where
she was visiting and meet her there.
While considering the best hour for this
visit he looked down the street and saw
her coming toward him. She was ac-
companied by two young ladies, and
the trio were laughing and chatting
merrily. AS they met him she looked
at him steadily for moment, bowed
distantly and passed on. His worst
fears were realized. He hardly knew
what course to pursue, but finally re-
solved to walk on and take the risk of
meeting her as she returned. He soon
saw her slender figure in the distance.
She was alone. AS they neared each
other he noticed that she paled a little
but did not falter in her step. He
stopped directly in her path.
You did not expect to see me so soon
after your abrupt departurep' he asked.
NO" she answered, coldly, II did
not expect ever to see you again"
II see that you know it all" he cried
out in abject misery. 1T was miser-
able deception, and 1 have repented it
bitterly enough. Tell me what you
think of man who could do such a
thing?'
1T would not be a pleasant thing for
you to hear" she said, quivering all
over with anger and excitement per
haps it is enough that am disap-
pointed"
He quailed little under her stern
gaze, but made last attempt to justify
himself.
"Oh! know it was objectionable,
but Gregory was so anxious to get away
that finally consented. He had been
disappointed twice in that cunning ex-
pedition, and l thought that he needed
the rest. can see now that il wasn't
the honorable thing to do, but it didn't
seem so bad then" Here he paused,
seeing the CONSERVATION on her face.
She was trembling, and now shrank
pack from him.
WHO are, you thenp'
"Why, don't you understand" he
cried, 81 am Philip Holt; Gregory aad
I have been chums for years.
philip Holt" she repeated wonder
s,.nr 4 Ia s,,1r II
stand" Then she rested one hand on
friendly fence and held out the other
with piteous little gesture.
"I-I-I wish that you would
take me home"
He went with her up the street and
up the broad gravel walk leading to an
old fashioned house. In the dim parlor,
which the liberal village etiquette
allowed them to occupy alone, he was
able to explain how he had agreed to
personate her cousin, in order that
Gregory might not be deprived of his
trip.
"You see he was afraid that you
would not allow yourself to be chaper-
oned by q man not your relative, and
so we decided on the scheme
After this came her statement, that
she had believed him to be her cousin,
but was indignant at finding that he had
wife whom he had not mentioned.
He finally rose to go and held out his
hand. She extended hers somewhat
reluctantly, but he took it, holding it
closely in his warm clasp.
"Are you going to forgive the wretched
folly" he said, looking down at her
flushing cheeks. He could feel her
hand tremble in his.
She had borne so much that she was
fast losing control of herself, and as her
lips began to culver she almost pushed
him from her.
'Go, now" she said, in husky
voice; III wish to be alone; l forgive
YOU"
But he could not 60. He was deter
mined to tell her what had been in his
heart for weeks. While he regretted
her distress it gave him hope--a hope
that soon found full realization; and
now they often call each other cousin
in remembrance of the episode which
brought them together.-H s. Fleming,
in Detroit Free Press.