Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-02-08

ehioi PoSs sho Siooou uooio VI sho
sleeping boarders.
GOOD night, and do not let the ghost
of the past trouble your slumbers," l
whispered to Frances, as she let me
out the front door.
you know have entered into the
charmed age when there is nothing
more to happen" she answered, in a
low key; and | do not know why,
for we we're not demonstrative women,
we kissed each other as we said good
night.
| knew Frances was watching me
until / turned the corner, which as /
did, / had the uncomfortable accident
of running into man-not meta
phorically into his arms, but, literally,
| ran into the man himself | could
not have done so if he had been walk
ing, for, as ! said. the moon was full,
so he must have been lodging amongst
the trees to be run into. Of course
he begged my pardon, and l, a little
surly at the fright he gave me, grant
ed it. In doing so looked at him
GOOD heavens ?" exclaimed, "is it
you, Miles Middleton, or your ghost p
"How did you recognize me after
all these yoars?" he asked, half pleas
ed, half disappointed.
"Come in" / said, being at my own
door. 1--WE cannot stand talking at
midnight in the street.
let myself in by the night-key,
and put up the gas-light to its full
power before l turned to welcome
poor Miles back to his native village.
For twenty-five years he had been
away, for twenty-five years his name
had been spoken by his friends with
bated breath, as if he were amongst
the quiet dead, or far worse, amongst
the SHINING. In the glare of the gas
light l turned to look at him. 1t was
the same Miles | had always known
twenty-five years older, / would never
have guessed if l had not known
the date of our last meeting; twenty
two pounds heavier, which was an i'm
provement. A guilty conscience and
an impaired digestion had not been
among his evils all these years. His
hair had not lost its color, though il
grew thinner on the temples and on
the crown of his head, and his eyes
had the same frank, fearless look in
them, his mouth the same winning
smile.
"Oh, Miles," | cried, with both
hands out-stretched, "wby did you
ever 60 away and all these years make
no sign ?"
Because" he answered, taking
both my proffered hands, Frances
doubted me-"
"How do you know she did 2"
asked. "You gave her no chance to
speak. People said dreadful things
of which you did not deny. but ran
away"
II did not rum" he said, holly; 81
stayed quite long enough to see that
some friends doubted me; not you.
l am sure. Even that / could have
borne if Frances had been true"
"You gave her no chance" | main
tanned. do you think l have for
gotten that miserable evening? 1t all
seems as Yesterday the birthday fete,
the color of the sunset clouds, the
pink ribbon Frances wore in a knot
at her throat. Poor girl she was as
white as her dress when her own
father accused you Of"
why do you not 60 on and say
stealing" he said, sharply.
Because we don't use such ugly
words nowadays; embezzling is more
genteel. l was indignant and said
foolish things"
"And Frances said nothing" he in
terrupted.
did you expect her to get into a
rage as mere friend would have
done? Besides, you would make no
denial. Her pale, pleading face did
not move you. If they chose to be-
lieve such things of you they might
you said, in foolish pride"
"You forget how young | was, and
how hurt" he answered, softening
under my vituperation.
II remember Frances was some
years younger, and frightened for you
as well as hurt. You gave her no
chance to retrieve hurried first step,
or rather mistaken inaction, for you
went at once away-the best thing
you could do some said, but the most
cowardly l thought, and left no trace
for all these years"
II said | would not come back UNI
til / could bring proof of my inno-
cence."
THAT was not necessary to those
who really cared for you Besides
the man who took the money confess.
ed he did 50 ten years ago. Death
forced him to confess. But this is, L
% n,u M nowc IN WON