Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-09-19

]
window yonder, and, by Heaven I've
almost mind TO have you placed in
Jail for it."
The old wretch fell OF her knees
and groveled at his feet, livid with
fear.
"Sparo me" she gasped. 81 being
nuthin' but harmless old woman
and PROMISE swar | won't nivel
tech the girl agin."
The young man laughed again, and
cast a glance of amusement Oh his
white-haired companion.
"what do you think, colonel !
Had we better give her another
chance' | don't give much for heI
oath, certainly, and"
He hesitated as if in doubt the
old woman clssped his knees and
prayed for mercy. Colonel Fame
passed her by with look of nervous
disgust, and spread out his gloved
hands to the blazing wood fire. Meg
still crouched in the shadows with a
wildly beating heart whose throbs
we're strangely mingled with pain and
Joy, and outside the wild stormy winds
shrieked hurricane down the rugged
ravines of inky blackness.
ASK the creature how far we are
from Major Henderson's, Paul." said
the old gentleman, nervously. IL
shall not feel safe until | reach him. y
Then, as if suddenly remembering
the girls existence, he turned, and
kindly addressed the question to her.
my good girl, how far are we now
from Major Henderson's placer Ma
ior Henderson is superintendent of
the mines"
Meg started, and lifted her great,
shy eyes to his. They had been glued
to that other face, the embodiment of
all things grand and noble to her.
"I-I-it is FIVE miles, SIR" she
replied timidly.
Five miles :" shrieked the old bag
leaping to her feet. "Listen to the
vagabone, lyin' ag'in! 1t is tin miles,
sir, il it's a foot Tin long, tough
miles over bad, rough roads. No
haste could find them even this night"
Meg crouched back in fear, daring
to speak no word, yet vaguely fear
ing some treachery. Why should the
old woman wish them to think the
distance greater than reality?
A great horror clutched her heart.
She resolved to watch and save these
men from foul play at any cost.
"Well, we must fling ourselves on
your mercy then, MOTHER" laughed
Paul Fame, hinging his tall, magni-
cent form into a chair. Knowing
how scant that is, we will pay you
well for lodging us tonight"
The colonel cast nervous glance
around and shivered.
81 think we had better take the
horses and continue, Paul. Perhaps
the girl here will guide us if we pay
her we'll"
Meg shivcred, yet she would have
been glad to guide them anywhere,
ragged and barefoot, so that it took
them beyond dame Graham's clutches.
But, oh! if never again she should
see this handsome stranger.
He spoiled the chance of being led
from danger
Blackjack sprained his foot, you
know, colonel" he said. 81 don't
believe the poor beast could take
another step tonight We are doom
ed to lodge with What is your
name, my good woman All Ora
ham, A good, respectable name.
Now see. Here is gold. Can it warm
your hospitality to furnish us with
something to eat? We are famished,
and have had nothing to eat since we
left the village, some thirty miles be-
low"
With her bony talons the old bag
eagerly snatched at the gold, and
quickly transferred it to the bosom of
her tattered gown.
will We come out o that cornerp
che threatened, in low voice. did
We hear what the gintlemen said ?
One might think ye were deaf and
dumb but ye're glib enough o talk
With shiver and downcast eyes,
poor Meg complied, blushing with
painful intensity as her beautiful shy
orbs one instant encountered those of
the handsome young stranger.
If only her brown feet were cover
ed, she would not so much have mind
ed the torn dress, perhaps.
With keen, curious eyes Paul sat
by the cracking fire, down whose
huc the hoarse wind howled, and
watched her movements while she
prepared meager, neat repast.
This done, she noiselessly stole
away to the cold, cramped attic cham
Der, and finging herself OH bunch
of rags in one corner, cried for hours,