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


we're disposed to think Roger Carl
Ton wrongly accused and that there
was q mystery 10 be cleared up. But
The majority bore heavily upon the
name, whose repetition came to be
torture to the Toying heart that trust
ed him.
The trial was long over, and though
the evidence against him was insult
cient to convict him, still, in the eyes
Of the small world about him, he was
a guilty man, and bore about with
him the bands of dishonor. Then
his sudden fight from the place gave
rise to comment. To Hilda it was a
severe blow. Gone and without
one word TO her, the woman who loved
and trusted him so blindly.
Her days were passed quietly among
the scenes she loved best. This place
had been her home from babyhood,
and she loved it. Each Granny of
the ledge, and every sequestered
messy nook. had to her some historic
memory. The changing scenery of
the clouds, the grand outlook towards
the New England hills were to her,
pictures. The sough of the summer
breeze, and the whistle of the north
wind were poems, tender or stirring.
1t was with some difficulty that
Mrs. Arnwood at length persuaded
the girl to accept an invitation to visit
Boston, at the close of autumn. For
the slowly moving year had circled
round again, and Hilda found herself
at the beginning of December, com.
fortably established in her friends
pleasant home, and herself in an I'M
usual whirl of gaiety.
1t was Christmas eve, and the wind
was blowing with a rising gale, bring
ing snow up the mountains. The SER
wants we're busy hanging up the holly
and the mistletoe, that had been
brought in from the woods before the
storm.
Amid the hurry and hustle of the
city, that wore its gaysst aspect, rolled
the handsome equippage of Mrs.
Carew, while beside her sat Hilda,
warmly clad in brown velvet and
costly furs. She was looking pale
and tired, and the lovely eyes wore a
wistful exposition as they rested upon
the bright scenes before her.
Suddenly and without warning, the
horse, fiery chestnut, took fright and
made wild dash forward. In a mo.
ment all was confusion, yet none had
power or courage to stop the mad
course of the infuriated animal. All
indeed, seemed hopeless, when a m an
springlng from out the crowd, rushed
forward and Selling the mare by hel
head forced her upon her haun che'
by main force but not before she had
time to strike with fatal force severe
blow upon the breast, that caused hin
to reel and almost faint.
At last the short, sharp struggle
was over, and the two frightened
women assisted from the carriage
Hilda alone caught sight of the wound
ed mans face, and turning to hel
hostess cried sharply:
"See, Ada, it is he, that man ha'
saved my life," and with sob sh,
covered her face with her hands.
III dear Hilda, is it possible tina
you know this gentleman. tina
he is friend of yoursi He must b.
brought to my house at once, as 1t il
near BY"
And before Hilda could utter 9
word of protest, pretty Ada Carev
had settled the whole matter, and in
an hours time Hilda Arnwood found
herself under the same roof with thu
man who had proved himself Roger
deadliest foe, and who had this day
saved her life, Hubert Seymour.
He was dying, the doctors had
given up all hope. Jack and Ada
Carew were with him and the trained
hospital nurse but to his repeated
calls for herself, Hilda had so fal
turned deaf ear.
In her heart there was bitterness
toward him. True, he had saved her
life, but what is life deprived Of all
its sweetness : This man for love Of
her fair face, had in his insane jeal-
ousy of his rival, blighted noble
life, and cast a reproach upou hi,
good name. And for this, Hilds
found it hard to speak forgiveness.
At last, however, when they told
her that bis hours were numbered
she consented to see him. AS she en-
tered the room, the dying man stretch
ed his arms out toward her.
"Hilda,"he cried, II must tell you
that which lies heaviest upon my heart
while have the strength left. You
bave been right all along. your Roger
is innocent. 1t was / who took the