Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-12-18


flower gardens and scented orchards
could be swept away to make lawns
and respectable strawberries. This
thought was lingering in her head just
then, making little frown flicker over
her eyebrows as she glanced at the
handsome sunbrowned face before her,
and she wondered what was In his mind.
Gilbert was straining his eyes shore.
ward, trying. II the truth was told. to
mako out the red tiled cottage clinging
half way up the cliff, where eight souls
(and bodies) were slowed away every
night in such an incredibly small
amount Of space. Lorrie Hindle had
brought out her six brothers and old
Jane for a holiday OF two months by
the sea, and had taken this little hut.
squeezing her charges in with much
continuance anyhow. Four always
rushed out very early in the morning.
waving bathing towels like banners,
down to the shore.
But Mr.. Rowell could not see the cot
tage now, and with sigh he turned
his attention to the beautiful Maria
sgain. How swan-like she looked, he
thought, as he helped her out of the
boat q little while after, and walked
with her along the smooth sand to the
narrow track leading up the cliff
There was fantastic hotel up yonder,
fortunately out OF sight of tho village.
1t had been built q few summers before
by an enterprising stranger. Maria and
her mother had come to stay short
time at this unbeautiful structure.
Gilbert's heart beat loudly as they
wandered past the red-tiled cottage,
not because the soft hand Of Maria
rested on his arm, but on account of
childish voices coming through tiny
windows up there under the caves, and
Lorrie's clear tones answering:
"Yes. dears, it is sure to be fine to-
morrow"
Another one," shouted somebody.
and Gilbert distinctly heard resound-
ing kiss in the warm air, followed by
boys noisy laughter.
AS he said Good night half an
hour later to the reluctant Maria, hot
blush surged over his face. He could
not tell the reason why she looked up
at him half questioningly with her
hand in his, but Gilbert appeared to be
occupied with his own thoughts, and
went off down the path again, instead
OF up towards his own home, when he
left her.
He soon reached the cottage again.
Lorrie was outside now, leaning on the
rugged garden wall. gazing over the
glofy-fooded sea, her wide hat was on
the ground, and her short curls all
careless upon her forehead.
''Mr. Rowell," she said, with start
and an uneasy laugh, for this was the
third night he had arrived exactly at
tho same time. He looked at her
rather strangely, she thought. AS he
took a seat on the low wall, and swung
one lazy leg backwards and forwards,
he made picture of Incidence, in his
boating Hannels and straw hat tipped
back.
What comparison was there between
Maria and this grip Why, one had
dresses without number, and wonderful
bewitching articles, along with wealth
and worldly knowledge; the other, big
gray eyes, rich red lips, tumbled curly
hair, three dresses, just enough Of this
worlds goods to get along with, and
six unruly boys to mind, which nothing
would make her leave; no, not the
King of England.
Gilbert swung his leg more rapidly
now. After long silence, Lorrie said,
gently:
"a penny for your thoughts" and
looked into Gilberts eyes; then blushed
fiercely at what she saw there, and
moved a yard or two away from him.
In the corner of the little garden, on
a summer seat, made out OF the end of
an old boat, sat Hal, the eldest of the
six boys. He was too old to retire with
his brothers. He was finishing a terri
BILE daub in water-colors Of the cottage,
rain-tub and wall. The rain-tub in his
picture looked more like the cottage,
and the cottage like the tub. But Hal
was satisfied; he went on some time
quite happily, not giving any Of his
valuable attention TO the pair on the
wall, and perfectly unnoticed by them.
After a time he became aware that
Lorrie was sobbing; then he both
stared and listened intently. The old
tale. II love you," was repeated once
again, Gilberts arm was around the
white muslin, the curly brown head
was resting at last on the white flannel
jacket; the old, old sun was going down
in fiery gold once more, when Hal
burst out Of his corner and stood up
like young warrior before the startled
lovers.
you can't take away my sister Lor-
rie, Mr.. Rowell, (" he gasped, "Pll tell
you that; I'll fight you before you
SHALL" and his dirty fists doubled in.
stinctively, and Lorrie sprang up.
HAL, dear, don't be rude. I'm not
going to leave YOU Mr.. Rowell is
going to take all OF us. just fancy, all
OF us, and old Jane; and we shall live
at his house up there, where you can
see the light still lingering in the win
dows. There are gardens and trees,
and, oh! heaps Of rooms, and every
thing, and Hal, you must be good. You
will, know"
The boy turned bewildered gaze at
Gilbert, speechless for minute, then.
selling hold Of the mans large hand in
both his own, saidi
Il always said you were real bully,
and you are regular bully" and with a
whoop like savage, he cleared the in
termediate space between the wall and
cottage at bound, mounted the narrow
staircase, and went noisily into his
brothers room. Awakening them, he
began to relate the good news. with
great citation, from the back OF chair.
LOrrie looked IN Mt the handsome