Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-09


Uppingham's absencep Anyhow, by
some family lcgerdemain he was Como
soon after the ball, whisked of to Lon
don, where il was announced relative
in high places was "going to do some.
thing for him."
Pack of stuck-up paupersv growlod
Mr.. Smith, by way of comment on his
departure. Cant even afford to give
their sons decent start in the world! |
dare say the young fellows got nothing
in him, and will go TO the dogs now he's
left his mothc.'s leading-strings." An
unkind speech, which brought n hot
blush To Mabcrs checks, and, for the
first time in her life, spark of anger
toward her father.
II was early in the next year when
some town friends, rich like themselves
so rich that they trod upon the skirts
of the true "upper ten"-became urgent
for visit from Miss Smith, and to Ken
sington she went, for once in her life
glad to leave home. Absent a month,
she begged for one week more, and Mr..
Smith, deeply engrossed in an exciting
new piece of business, let her stay
readily. What that business was Mabel
found out when hastily summoned home
10y telegram one February morning.
"You are not ill., papaP" was her
frightened greeting, the moment she
alighted ut Narbridge Station.
"lll, my pet! Never better in my life.
Why, child, you're shaking. / startled
you by sending for you in a hurry. You
won't mind, though, when you hear the
rcason.h
Then, as they drove home, Mr. Smith
disclosed his secret. OF course Mabel
had heard of the dissolution. For the
next fortnight all the country would be
given over to elections. Narbridge was
looked upon rs safe. An Uppingham
or an Arden had represented the place
for fifty years. The Conservatives al
ways expected to walk over the course.
But would they, though, this timer A
deputation of Libcrals-clcver, far see
ing mcn-had waited on him, Mr..
Smith, and pctltioned him, in the inter
est of his native land, to oppose this
naughty cabal. He had felt it his duty
to yield to their entreaties and
"What will you say to have your
father an M. P.-eh, Mabp fancy my
little girl will hold her own among the
best of them then-don't youp"
"But, papa" faltcred Mabel, cliff
you don'tget imp"
Judge, fudge, fudge! Fiddlesticks,
my dear! I'm sure to get in! Tho
body of the people arc growing intelli-
gent. They'll be thankful to throw off
the yoke of tho other party. I've got
capital committee; my address is out
to-day. / don't care what it costs-I
will get inn'
Whatever Mabel thought she dared
not speak. The terrors of the fortnight
that followed she will not forget to her
dying day. Every spark of malice in
her fathers composition entered into
the contest.
She, her half-hearted self, was
dragged, IAN unwilling witness, to the pub
lie meetings.; was terrified nearly out of
her senses by the uproar of the nominal
ton day; all but tainted when brought
unexpectedly face to face with the OPP
position canvassing party (Mr. Godfrey
among them, fetched down in hurry
to assist at this crisis); and fairly fell
into Mysteries when the final numbers
went up at the close of the poll:
Uppingham Conservative 1,0O9
Smith OiberaD 302
The defeat was crushing; but, what
ever the beaten candidate felt, he was
not going TO show craven front for his
conqucror to crow over. With the
smiling confidence of approaching vic
tory he had driven into Narbridgc that
morning. With bland seeming of dis.
regard at the days doings he would
drive out that afternoons; and, with
poor, shivering Mabel swallowing hei
nervous sobs at his side, he did so.
Their departing was the signal for q
burst of ironical cheers from the "'Blue''
element in the mob. The horses in tho
tall phaeton fidgeted at the sounds
Yells of dcrision were hurled after them
by the roughs, and the sensitive bays
quivercd and curveted under less firm
rein than their master usually held
The crashing of church bells and tho
vile braying of an itinerant brass band
finished the mischief OF went the
spirited animals, dashed round by st
Mary's Church, tore along the mair
road from the town, upset fish stall
smashed bakers cart, and were only
brought to standstill by the pole
breaking and one of the runaways com
ing swiftly to his knees. Among Tho
terrified throng that came rushing after
them, Godfrey Uppingham was fore
most.
THANK God, you're safe, my dar
lingr' the groom vowed he heard hin
say rs he disentanglcd Miss Smith, un
hurt though ipsensible, and bore her t.
Captain Uppingham's brougham, which
speedily drove up. But perhaps tn,
groom was only inventing. Mr.. Smitl
had not escaped so easily. Flung clear
over laurel hedge into n garden, HI
lay unconscious, one broken arm
doubled up under his head CAREFUL,
raised by his late adversaries, he wa
placed beside his daughter, and, with ,
tribe of doctors in attendance, was sooi
in his own home. There the first mo
mcnt he had power TO speak he desired
that his daughter should be sent TO hin
he must talk to her alone at once!
Mabel, trembling and loving, leaning
over him: "Child," he said, 1--WE don
know how this may end. If / have Il
go-don't cry!-I should die happier /
/ left you promised to n worthy-hus
band" mabel started back as whit,
as ghost.) "Your Cousin Robert, VI
at Stockpool, wants you for his wife
Will you marry himP"
"No, fatherH she murmurcd, catch
ing his hand; 'don't ask me to-"
"Why notP"
because" dropping on her knee
and weeping wildly, because I'm mar
riod now! Oh, father, will you forgiv
meP"
ITO whomp" said no, after paus
of actual seconds, seeming hours.
"Geof-fe-ry Up-Uppingham, faith
CT. We were Unmarried in Londol
half an hour before you sent for m
home"
The sufferer lay very still under thi
fresh blow. Mabel turned calm wit
very fright. But presently he said, in
very matter-of-fact way:
kiss me, and don't fret, child. Sem
the young man to me. What can't b
, cured must be endured"