Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-11-12
ALONG THE SANDS.

which made Lucy Ashley hasten her
steps as she walked rapidly over the
sands towards the point upon which
rose the gray walls of her house. 1t
was step behind her-a step whose
sound she knew, and had once been
glad to hear.
She could hardly believe now that
Richard Dale had ever been her
hero. But yes, once they were almost
betrothed. That was in her earliest
girlhood, and since then she has been
away to school. Richard, too, had
been from home, just where and in
what, she really knew not. But
since they had met again, it was plain
that he still wanted to follow her, yet
she, somehow, feared instead of trust
ing him. She could not tell why
she had heard nothing bad of Richard
yet she shrank from him and dread
ed his company.
She could not escape him by rapid
walking to-day; he was at her side,
presently bidding her good-day, and
gazing with bold admiration at her
bright cheeks and wind-tossed curls.
"Why in such haste, Lucy" he
asked. "Were you running away
from me I"
"And why should l run away from
you ?" was her answer, not looking at
him.
"For no reason, l hope. But you
were not in such hurry when | saw
you this morning walking with him
from out yonder." And he NODDED
his head with scowl in the direction
of trim cutter which lay at anchor
in the roadstead.
Lucy turned her head seward
perhaps to look at the ship, perhaps
to keep Dick Dale from seeing the
slight color which Redeemed her
cheeks at his words-as she answered,
somewhat proudly: 81 merely
CHANGED to meet Captain Lucas, Rich
ard"
"Well, wish you wouldn't merely
chance to meet him again" cried
Richard, angrily. Curse him Il
hate him !"
"But why, Richard /! He has not
harmed you"
"No. He'd better not, either.
Curse him again, l say! What does
he come prowling along our coast
for ?"
"You know, Richard. that his busl-
ness is to watch for smugglers at
least folks say"
"Smugglers? Ha! ha there are
none !" cried Richard almost fercely.
"There are such reports, anyway.
And what if there are, Richard ?
You are not one of them, so it dosen't
matter to why, what makes so
white ?" and she stopped in sudden
CONSERVATION.
GA pain in my head ; I'm
subject to tits gone now," stammer-
ed Richard.
"Well, should say you had better
do something for it," said Lucy, walk
ing on again.
"Wait a minute" said Richard
81 cant 60 further with you, I'm
going down to the coast station.
May I come to see you tonight,
Lucy
The girl Redeemed and answered
with some confusion: "Not tonight,
Richard II am engaged"
"Who with ?" demanded the man,
abruptly.
you have no right to ask, and !
refuse to reply" said Lucy, firmly
and proudly.
"You needn't can guess. I'll
teach him who has right, and who
not. Look to yourself my fine cap
tainP He shook his fist savagely in
the direction of the brig, and was
turning away, but Lucy stopped him.
Richard, how wicked and foolish
you are" she cried, Indignantly.
Wicked, am II" he retorted
"Well, who wouldn't be, when q
stranger, whom nobody knows, can
cut him out with his own girl, at q
moments warming
"How often must l tell you that
Captain Lucas is nothing but an
acquaintance, and you only friend p
asked Lucy.
"I'm no friend to YOU" said Dick,
darkly. "More, or nothing, my lass. y
"Then since you force me to say it.
nothing, Rirhard."
"You don't mean it, Lucy?" he
cried, coming nearer; "you cam
deny we were sweethearts once?"
"Yes-a long time ago." returned