Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-02-20

| houioicoS otruB6icros naming rum ho
one knows where.
Meanwhile several years passed on.
Tim remained much the same, except
that he grew feebler in health. Annis
developed into a sweet-faced young
woman, with whom Gasden's son
George-now at home studying law
fell gradually in love. Neither Gasden
or Tim had noticed the slow growth
OF mutual feeling, and to George and
Annis themselves its growth seemed
imperceptible, until he, one afternoon,
came upon her seated In the hotel gar
den beside clerk from one OF the viii
lage stores, who was trying to kiss her,
seemingly against her will.
A swirl OF anger possessed George.
He spoke to the youth so rudely that
the latter withdrew, after retort in
kind. Then George turned to Annis,
who sat piqued and confused, yet in
wardly pleased Mt her rescue.
ado you care for him?" Kissed
George between his teeth, as he stood
over her.
well he is quite nice, and not at
all rude, like some ] know" she an
swered.
Yet her eyes betrayed her. Had she
not really loved this fine young fellow
now bending over her all along? He
was the son OF the best friend she and
her grandfather had ever known; and
he loved her. Oh, yes! her eyes be-
trayed her. Then, as his gaze seemed
TO read her thoughts, the swift bushes
came.
This crisis brought on his avowal,
and he poured forth his desires the
more ardently, because Of their long
sleep just beneath the film of con-
seriousness While her head sank upon
her shoulder, and his kisses fell like
rain upon her lips, a hating step drew
near A voice, somewhat tremulous
with age, startled them, and looking
round they saw old Tim, leaning upon
his cane, reproachfully regarding them.
"Wal, walr' he exclaimed, 'thish
beats me, shure. Mr.. George, what
will your father sayP Thish yer won't
do at all. must speak word along
o. Annis-"
But Annis had fled precipitately,
while George himself at first seemed
somewhat confused; but he put on
bold face.
II tell you. Tim he said, 81 love
her, and I'm going to marry her whether
father likes it or not"
"Yore pap's rich, my boy" said the
old man sadly. "Me nd Annis air pore
dead pore. He picked us up outer
the mud like. / onct had money, but
lost IL all, md I've never been wurth
nickel sense. Hit nd be n pore way O
payin' yore pap back, to let his son
saddle hisself with pore girl like
mine. My, hits natally scan'lus, md
me md Annis hain't a goin' ter let ye
do it."
But George remained unconvinced,
and left him plunged in sad perplcxity.
Late that night he camo into his daugh-
ter's room with "A large sachel in his
hand.
"Wnl, child" he said. rm you gram
pap, nd brot We hyur, nd ] hain't
agoin' ter let you nd George Gasden
marry ef kin help it Put what buds
We natally needs in this yer sa'chel,
nd less you md me pull out from
hyur"
"IIow can ], grandpap?' she pleaded.
ais it so very wrong, after all, for George
to love meP
Don't we argy, Annis. Hain't you
| t,,l I IL
Never min what we'uns onct waz; that
don't count now cud never face that
man again eff lot We continncr to make
II fool outer his son. So-don't argy--
but come erlong'
Poor Annis yielded much against her
will-her own sense OF Tins rectitude
fighting half the battle. With tears
and signs, she packed NY change Of
clothing. and tremblingly followed the
old man down stairs.
The night was intensely dark, and
Mr.. Gasden, feeling the air OF his bed
room close, flung open window. Drops
OF rain were beginning to fall; there
were low lying flashes OF lightning in
the north, and sense OF suspense in
the air. He leaned out over the sill
re0ectivcly, and listened to his sons
footsteps overhead.
George is restless" he thought,
''studies too hard, reckon. II he
knew all, / wonder whether he would
be so proud and ambitiousp'
just then one OF the doors below
opened and shut. There came brief
interval Of silence, then heavy thud,
that was followed by groan, after
which came shrill feminine exclama-
tions OF distress.
Father! father! Oh, dear! What
shall dop"
Gasden closed the window, and has
tened downstairs and out into the
piazza.
Bring lightsr' he shouted TO pass
ing servant; then girl threw herself
frantically upon him.
'1ts father--old Tim--I fear he is
badly hurt"
II was old Tim, sure enough. He
had fallen from the piazza in the dark
ness, on the eve OF his sclf-urged fight,
and now lay helpless and grooming
upon the earth, with the rain beating
upon him.
The servants came with lanterns, and
bore him inside, placed him on the bed,
and sent for doctor
"What does all this meanP' Mr.. Gas
den asked OF Annis. who, much affect
ed, knelt nj the bedside whore old Tim
lay breathing heavily, with his eyes
closed. She did not Mt once reply, but
her father opened his eyes and whis-
pered, weakly:
"We'uns wuz goin' to leave-me nd
Toad wuz."
Leave! What forP''
He pointed at George and sighed.