Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-23

that no matter what happens, | be-
lieve you innocent"
God bless you for those words, my
noble Hilda. AS for you, SIR" turn
ing to the irate old gentleman, his
eyes ablaze with scorn, "if ever have
the opportunity you shall answer TO
me for the insults you have heaped
upon me tonight. Goodbye, Hilda,
believe in me always"
With a sob Roger Carlton turned
away, and in another moment he was
out of sight. Slowly Hilda followed
her uncle indoors, and here the storm
burst in all its fury, aided perhaps by
Mrs. Arnwood, who had never liked
Roger even in the old days, before
this cloud of disgrace arose to blot
out all has fair prospects But Hilda
Arnwood was no coward, and defend
ed the man she loved bravely against
them all.
"He is falsely accused" she said
proudly, in answer to their cruel in
situations.
Falsely accused, Hilda ?"
There was an evil glitter in Mr..
Arnwood's steely-blue eyes as he re-
peated his niece's words.
Eyes, falsely he is not capable Of
such a thing"
"You think then" but he paused
81 think him brave, true, honorable
and honest, and the day will come
when he will be proved So"
"Not until the money is found"
Again HiIda's face whitened.
"He would be in the county jail
now but for the kindness of an old
friend of his father. Mistaken kind.
ness, l call it, as old Greyson will
soon find out"
II should not be surprised if Roger
Carlton ran away, now that he is free
man who will steal will do any
thing" chimed in Mrs. Arnwood from
her low chair beside the fire.
"Roger will do nothing of the kind
Aunt Anne, he is far too noble, b,
will stand his trial whatever may b.
the consequences" and with her gol
den head held proudly erect, Hilda
quilted the room.
Christmas day dawned fair anC
bright, and as Hilda looked from be-
room upon the world CT snow, a swee
sound came floating to her, over thu
crisp cold air; the music of tn,
Christmas bells. But their chin,
brought no peace to the tortured
heart of the girl, as she sat in her lux
urious chamber, surrounded by every
evidence of wealth and culture. Lat
err in the day card was brought t.
her, with the name, "Mr. Hubert Sey
mour," engraved upon it. When sh'
entered the drawihg.room Mr.. Sey
mour rose to meet her, and EXTENDED
his hand, but Hilda chose to ignore it
"Why will you not touch my hand
Miss Arnwood 7" he asked in curl
Gus tone.
Because it is not the hand of al
honest man, Mr.. Seymour, therefore
refuse to touch it ~
cam | dreaming? What am / t
understand by such words, my dea,
Miss ArnwoodY'
1.-The truth and nothing more. d.
you think l am ignorant of you
share in this most cruel plot? 1t wa
your hand that gave into Rogers thu
fatal key, that later worked so mucl
mischief. l do not ask your motiv,
for wishing to blight the young life o
another, but it must have been tn
offspring of some cruel scheme o
which / am ignorant.
"NIiss Arnwood, your vehemenc
surprises me. l came here to-da,
prepared to receive a different wei
come. | know and care nothing o
Roger Carlton, beyond the fact tina
he was caught little too late to pre-
vent the loss of my uncle's money
Let us drop the subject. have jus
had a conversation with Mr.. Arm
wood. in which / had the honor to ash
his niece's hand in marriage. HI
gave his consent, and half limited tina
| should not find an unwilling listen
err. Hilda, / have long loved you, m.
dearest, but never found courage un
til to day to tell you of it. If l.
Enough, sir! Twill hear no more
1t is a degradation to me to listen t.
such words coming from you. Iwisl
l could tell you how I loathe you
how utterly contemplate you are il
my sight. / would not be your wifi
if you were the last man upon earth