Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-04-01
eWhy not. dearest ?"

Il nave told you-Decause am
poor orphan worker. 1 do not ever
know who my parents were, Walter
The old couple who brought me up
gave me a good education, and / d.
not see how they spared the mean
for that. But they cannot give mi
anything more"
II do not want anything excep
your dear self. Lily" said Walter
promptly. "Do not these old people
know who your parents were ?"
II think not. All that they would
ever tell me was that 1 was left a
their door one cold winter night anC
that they took me in and cared fol
me. / do not even know my owl
name"
"But l know what it shall be. be
fore long, darling! Come, Lily, b'
you rich or poor, 1 have watched YOU
this long year you have been in my
fathers house, and i know that you
are pure and good, true and noble
and the one woman in all the worlt
whom ! could make my wife. Oh
Lily, promise me I! Please promise tC
be mine !"
II promise. dear Walter, if your
family will receive me. But l cannot
part you and them oh. hush some
one is coming!" she hastily broke of
her speech, as a sound was heard
near. She had barely time to draw
herself from his embrace, when the
curtains were parted. and Mrs. Len
nox swept into the conservatory
Her fair face flushed when she saw
the two before her, and she said cold
ly:
"Miss Wescott, did not expect to
find you here!"
"You must blame me, not Miss
Wescott, mother" said Walter,
promptly. "She came here for fresh
air, and l followed her."
"She will excuse you, on condition
that you do not repeat your offense, "
said the lady haughtily. "Return 10
your duties at once, Miss Wescott.
And you, Walter, will follow me,
Your fathers old friend, Judge Allen
of Benton county, has arrived to
make us visit. He is immensely
wealthy, and we must show him every
attention. l wish you to entertain
him until your father arrives. And
see here ?" she added. with almost a
menace, as he was about to pass out
with her. "let us have no more of this
nonsense with my governess You
?"
Walter was about to explain at
once, but a second thought him that
this was not the time or place-her
anger would only fall upon Lily's
head and he resolved to postpone
his revelation until he could be at
hand to protect the girl whom he
vowed never to give up. He merely
bowed his head in answer to his
mothers words, and went with her TO
the parlor where his fathers old friend
was waiting.
OF course Lily always appeared at
the table with the family. But to-
day, at dinner, Walter noticed that
his mother did not introduce her to
Judge Allen. He knew the omission
was purposely made, and as he saw
he old gentleman looking at the
ovely girl with an air of deep inter-
sst, he was about to introduce her
when his father, who though
Is naughty as his wife, was far more
ust, presented her in the usual form.
Walter saw a look of annoyance
pass over his mothers face, and knew
hat she was determined to keep Lily
n a subordinate position, and that un-
ess he did interfere shortly, the poor
yirl's life would be anything but
pleasant.
IL will seek an interview with
ather and mother before l sleep to-
right" he said to himself, "and calm
y tell them just what my firm inten-
ions are. am of age, and if they
choose to disinherit me, why the
world is wide, and Lily and / can
work together"
That was the straightforward, man.
y course, and Walter was to be hon
red for taking it. Rut-he reckoned
Without knowing all the circumstances.
He had fancied himself alone in the
conservatory. Buthis mothers favor
te maid had been arranging flowers
or the dinner-table in a little room
pack of the greenhouse and she
,eard every word. Knowing she
could curry favor with her proud
she had rehearsed all she
overheard to Mrs. Lennox on the first
favorable opportunity.
This occurred when Mrs. Lennox
vas in her own chamber just after
upper. In the mean time the rest of
he party we're down stairs in the
,arlor. Judge Allen was very fond
IF music, and seeing the grand piano
man ba osLod &c tbara xwas mt oop,a