Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-10-13
A WOMAN'S HUNGER.
She Wanted Confidence as Well as
Tender Care.

"What am TO dowith her, Arnold?
The child will be woman soon; what
am to do with herP"
A shade of perpleXity was in the
speakers tone, and his gaze rested not
on the man beside nina man his
Junior by too short a cycle of time for
the difference TO have left its outward
impress-but the room, and out through
the open window on the lawn, where
stood girl careSsing superb stag
hound. Unconsciously she made n pic
ture lovely enough to arrest any gaze;
but the perplexity on Frederick Fa-
bans handsome face vanished in
amaze, as his companion gave short,
quick answer to his half-invountary
question, in these words
''Givc her to me.
For moment establishment rendered
him dumb.
Give her to your no gaspcd, at
last. "Why, Dick, old fellow, what would
an old bachelor like YOU do with a girl
like that? IL you'd really like to adopt
one of the children, ] might turn ono of
the boys over to YOU; but, somehow |
don't quite think could spare Mary.
And I'm not sure she'd accept another
father, Notwithstanding the manifold
advantages which might occur to her.
Fortunes lily divided in this world, is it
notP Here you arc, a bachelor, with n
clear income of thirty thousand per an
mum; and here am |, the father of an
interesting family of six, and your IN
come, divided by just about that num-
Der. No wonder I never can make
both ends meet
IL don't think YOU quite understood
my proposition, Fred" responded the
other, though flush had risen to his
usually pale face, and scarcely per-
ceptiblc tremor of excitement was in
his voice. at is natural, perhaps, that
you should accept my meaning from n
paternal standpoint; and | am well
awarc-believc mc-of the slight differ
ence in our respective ages. But l
didn't wish to adopt Mary as my
daughter love her, and would win
her for my wife"
Your wife, mani" calculated Fabian,
starting back in amaze. "Why, the
child is scarcely out of the nursery, and
we were college boys
together, Arnold
Il told YOU Il moment since j was not
forgetful of my age, but remember you
married, Fred, when YOU were twenty.
May is eighteen. and | am thirty-six-
just double her age, but not too old to
love her with Il fervor younger man
might envy me. Fred, if gain her
consent, ! may have yours"
Mr.. Fabian outstretched his hand, and
graspcd that of his friend.
IL can't realize it all in minute, my
dear boy, but know no man to whom
/ would rs soon intrust my darling.
But can it be that she loves you, and
j have been so blind rs never to sus-
pcctp'
Il dare not believe she loves me, but
hope to win her iove," answered Mr..
Arnold, quietly. and then stepped out
through the window on the lawn.
A vivid blush ovcrspread the girl s
face as he approached.
down, Carlo-down!' she COM
manded the dog, and advanced to meet
him on the green, vclvety sward. Was
she unprepared for the earnest words
which told her of his hope, and how the
verdict rtssed with berP If so, she
evinccd no surprise, save the color
deepened in her check, and the low
"Ycsm which fell like whisper from
heaven on his ear, trcmblcd i'm its utter
ance.
Dick Arnold had won her promise to
become his wife. Yet il seemed but
yesterday that he had held her on his
knee little, prattling child, whose
fingers penetrated into hidden pockets
for hidden sweets, even as she had pen
etrated into the innermost recess of
his heart. She was child to him still.
He would keep her u child always, he
said to himself. Her path should be a
bed of roses, and not single thorn
should pierce her little feet.
Ii was singular engagement. The
lovers were rarely alone, and Mr.. Ar
nold's footing had always been so close
and intimatc-as one of the household
that there was little change. True, he
never came now without some rare and
beautiful gift for May, but latterly she re-
ceivcd these with sort of petulance,
and tossed them, the next moment,
carelessly aside. Once, Just before her
wedding day, she burst into passion
of tears; but she would give him no cx-
PLANTATION of their cause. lie rcmem.
bcrcd them, later, i'm connection with
the arrival, that same afternoon, of q
young soldicr-cousin, who had been
hidden to the wedding, and had oh.
tanned special leave TO be present.
After dinner, May and this cousins
tall, splendid looking young fellow
strolled together out upon the lawn.
AS once before, Arnold and her father
stood watching her.
They look well together, do they
notp" said the latter. al used TO fancy
Will had preference for May, but
don't think my acumcn in such matters
has proved itself very acute"
And with light laugh, he turned
away But Arnold stood motionless,
his eyes fixed on the two figures on the
lawn. Standing, there, he felt an old
man. In that moment, Mays accept.
ancc to his appeared sacrifice, but tc
give her up now He could not even
carry out the thought. Pshaw! VIVA,
brightness could hispcnniless subaltern
throw into her lifcp And her father
had fancied only his preference for her,
not hers for him.
He made gesture as II throwing of
burden, and walked out toward them
AS he approached, the young Lieuten-
ant was speaking.
cit Is driving me to desperation
May" were the words borne to his ear
And as May turned to greet him
glstening tears were in the azure eyes
Three days after she became his wife
and when the solemn vows wcre spoken
her voice was clearer, moro distinct
than his.
Lieutenant Crosby bore his share II