Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-09-05

oihuihg ino stronBer IMAM iron DANCE
could do to my dear love-"
During the day my old uncle is
taken much worse and he will let nc
one be near him but me. William
comes in and out of the room, but
am tied to il nearly all the day, till
towards evening my uncle falls into a
deep sleep and l can safely leave him
with bis nurse. 1t was rambling
old house, Norlington farm, and il
had been my only home now for near
ly seven years, all of which time
William Mapleson had lived as my
uncle's steward and helper under the
same roof
IL has been n hard, selfdenying
life for HIM, perhaps; but for me
he would never have borne it. Till
latterly the hard old man had never
discovered our love; and when he
had there WAS no more peace for us
under his roof.
He had ragged and stormed, de-
claring that no niece of his should
marry William Mapleson, on pain of
disinheritance.
Mine was always weak, timid
nature. Perhaps some women Il am
no longer a young girl; my Both
birthday had come and gomez would
have actively resented his tyranny
and asserted their individual rights.
l could not. was in his power; for
when my parents died he had taken
me in, penniless girl, and had from
that time given me, in his particular
hard way, all that | needed to live
not but some would have felt they
fully earned such keep.
| scarcely ever looked at it in that
way.
Ihad been weak and helpless, alone
in the world, not very strong in health,
when he had come to my fathers fun
eral and after paying all expenses,
had simply said: "Now go and pack
up your kit, You must come with
me to Norlihgton farm. Can't say,
I'm sure, what old Betty will say. but
there's nothing else, as | see, to be
done. Remember, my girl, tbs not
lady's life | am offering you, but I
suppose you are not too fine lady to
know what work means ?"
If | had been then, all was COR
rected by now. During these seven
years | have worked hard and lived
hard.
Yet there are those who say that
old Peter Glennie is worth half
million of money.
My golden week of happiness is
gone but although William is gone
! am strangely content.
! do not regret the step | have
taken.
Since the morning after my mar
rage my uncle had been better and
quieter Old Mr.. Baines, the lawyer,
had been with him full hour that
morning, and old Jenkyns had been
called into his room to sign his name
to some document, together with the
hired nurse.
"He is miserable old man." she
said to me the same day 81 suppose
it's his will we signed. What a
grudge he seems to have against mar
riagc. He growls continually even
in his sleep, about fools getting mar
ried."
"Ah" | said "he has never mar.
ried."
NO." she laughed. II should not
say any one was the loser by that
either"
He had called her at this moment,
and | was left alone to overhear
between old Jenkyns and
Betty, who, being both deaf, were
alking over the same matter in the
"Ah, well, Betty, it, hard day
or the farm when Mr.. Williams goes
away and how'll the old master do
vi a new steward at his tonne O. life,
wonder?"
HE knows what he's about, never
you fear. Do'ee think for moment
Is how he don't know a-letting him 90
8 the only way O. proven marriage
he and Miss Nora? Hal!
IA! haw
As hear her cunning old laugh |
It my expense sit buggiug my love
% my heart.
Old Betty always owed me a grudge
or coming to Norlington farm, al
,houph she had been compellcd In
'how me ordinary civilty.
How little she knew we were mar
lied only yesterday, under her very
nose, as it were.
So far had deceived him and the
lew other people knew--deceived
him through his own hardness for
10 far as ! was concerned | would |
nave told him, only knew and my
husband kuev that ouv suddo, sLn,L |