Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-05-21

toward the abyss OF folly, with man,
men at least.
Day by day, this practiced coquett
wove her web more and more closel,
about Albert.
81 am sad this morning" she said
a fortnight after that first meeting
because my life is so un6lled-s'
void. married, when mere child
a man without one taste in common
with me. He gives me house blu
not home. He gives me jewels anC
gold, but no affection. My hear
starves, and try, as best / may, L
make life endurable. And | hav,
been so happy here-oh, so happy
dread the thought that | must q
away next week"
Next week. You must not-shal
not" Albert answered, and took boil
her hands in his, to give emphasis L
his words.
She withdrew them with prett,
little shake of the head. But sh'
did not go away the next week, or thu
next. And all the while poor ALDER
fell deeper into "the pit she had digget
for him."
He was sitting on low ottoman
at her feet, in the twilight, one even
ing, when she renewed the subject o
her going. She felt him tremble
and the hand that she reached dowr
to take in her own was cold.
She was stirred by the dramatic
situation. Mrs. Bedford was very
fond of the dramatic, on or off the
stage.
II want you to forget whatever has
seemed too frank in my manner" she
said, in half-broken voice. 81 dc
not want you to despise me"
"Despise you? Great heaven
worship YOU" he cried wildly. 81
could die for you"
Hush !" she said, softly. "Do moi
die for me, but live. Live wholly
worthy of this beautiful and sacred
experience, which has come to glorify
all life for me, and, trust, for you
also. Take this she slipped circle
of gold upon his finger, land never
remove it until my image is displaced
in your heart"
ut will never be removed, in life
or DEATH" he said, solemly.
+" ] hope not. | believe not" she
responded. "Yet if you ever come
to worship and revere my memory
take off the ring. If you ever grow
to love another woman better thar
you love me-do not, dear, let the
ring remain. But, so long as l am 6
power and al influence in your life
wear it, and kiss it every night ere
you go to sleep. We may never meet
again. But it is an unworthy love
which cannot be true through separa-
ton and silence. Good-by, and heav
en- bless YOU
In the morning she was really gone
She had grown tired of the Irritation
and chose this dramatic way to end it
Her poor dupe missed her every hour
Yet he was in that exalted state o
brain and heart where no actual ply
steal presence was needed to make hin
happy. A whole new world, a HEAVIER
had opened to him, during the las
few weeks.
He had viewed women from a dis
lance always, and knew them only as
he had read of them in books. Now
suddenly, fascinating, lovely, anC
accomplished woman had crept into
his heart, opening all its windows ant
doors to food of light. A sudden
ambition seized him to become dis
tinguished for her sake. Life opened
before him with new possibilities. HI
wanted her to feel pride in him tC
give him respect and admiration al
well as love. He felt all his former
ideas of life changed and transformed
by this experience. He had charity
now for the whole suffering, errinl
world he was at last, he said, akir
to all humanity. Every night he
kissed the little ring, and breathed Q
silent "God bless her"
A year went by, and then there
came to him an intolerable and un.
cOnguerable desire to look upon hel
face once more. They had never ex.
changed one word or line, in all thi.
time but Albert had kept himself
informed of her welfare, through hi.
aunt. Agnes was with her now, al
the seashore. 1t was quite the proper
thing, he said to himself, for the neph.
ew to join his relatives there, for q
week or two.
Mrs. Bedford was out walking when
he arrived. He had sent no word tc
his aunt of his anticipated visit. Blu,
he asked her, Agnes, eagerly about
her friend. us she well 4? Does she
seem happy 2" he said.
Yes, she is WE'LL" his aunt replied
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