Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-05-14
Loves Sacrifice.
voice came from the bed.

"Do you promise ?" it asked family.
II cannotw The speaker turns his
eyes to the open window, through
which are visible the broad Ashart
acres, rich with the wealth of the gold
ell harvest, and with here and there
tinge of decaying summer; then
back to the face, turning restlessly
on the pillows, upon which woman,
somewhat past the middle age, is half
reclining.
Such rare face as it must have
been in the year gone by! But now
there rests upon it the stamp of death
and II look of the deepest remorse.
She has followed his glance, and
her eyes are riveted on his face, as she
speaks again, with an effort;
Yes, these broad acres are yours ;
but there rests upon them curse that
has haunted me by day and by night /;
curse that will follow you, unless the
great wrong is expiated. Find his
daughter, who is alone and friendless ;
marry her; and then-but not until
then-can my soul meet his in eter-
nifty
There is a pause. The dying
woman's voice sinks almost to whis-
per- Great beads Of perspiration
stand on her sons brow
Mother, you know not what you
ask" he saws. Can two wrongs ever
make right? Listen to me-"
II will not" she cries vehemently.
Philip, hear my story. | loved
Ralph Desmond, poor artist, with
devotion that amounted almost to
idolatry yet in fatal hour, tempted
by this paltry gilt and tinsel, l sold
myself to man old enough to be my
father. | believe ] was mad for
months afterwards. Oh, can | ever
forget his curse, when Ralph came and
found me the bride of another? Pity
me Remember the devotion | have
given you Make the last few hours
of my life happy. DO not let me die
with this curse upon me"
"But cannot undo the past"
"You can lift the curse. Hear NE.
In fit of revenge, Ralph Desmond
married girl rs poor As himself.
For years heard of their struggles
with poverty; then they went abroad /;
and shortly after came the news of the
death of both, few months apart.
But there was daughter, and it is
she for whom | have sought in vain
Promise me to find her. Marry her,
and expiate your mothers wrong
doing"
There is mighty struggle for awhile
in the young mans heart; but the
wistful eyes and pleading voice of his
mother triumph at last. Bending his
face close to hers, he kisses her lips,
in slow sacred way, and says:
II promise"
The words act like magic. His
mother sinks back upon her couch,
and clasps her hands across her breast
Her eyes rest, for moment, OH the
distant landsca pe-the broad domain
she must soon relinquish-and then
they close as if in sleep, forever.
An hour later, Philip leaves the
darkened room, and walks out into
the fast-gathering darkness. He
seeks favorite meadow, where great
century-old elms. in groups or singly,
throw deep shadows on the grass even
at midday. The chill in the air cor
responds with the icy feeling in his
heart. He is utterly alone. He is
master indeed, of the rich acres before
him. But what avails it ally He
has given up his love. Was the
promise rightf Just now his dimmed
eyes seek the sky, and find there
faint star struggling through the dark
ness, and he tried to faucy it is his
mothers smile. Yes, ! was right"
he says. poor mother, | made her
last hours peaceful" The star dim.
piles and wrinkles, as If it hears him,
and he watches it with strange awe,
through the gloom.
Philip" cried voice, suddenly.
a soft hand is laid OH his shoulder,
bringing him back to earth-back to
the keen pain he must ever after know;
for before him stands the only woman
he can ever love; aud he has Just
sworn his troth away from her.
81 have heard it ALL" she says, with
emotion your mother is dead"
Eyes, he answers, in vague tone.
"And you gave your promise ?"
81 gave it," he replies.
"And |, too, made the same prom.
Use" she goes on. Il promised that |
would never stand between you and
Ralph Desmond's daughter"
When he utters, turning and
facing her. How came you to make
such vowY" Somehow, he is angry
that she has anticipated him. But Is