Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-04-01
INFLUENCE.
A LOYAL LOVER.

In a spacious, elegantly appointed
library an old man sat before desk
upon which lay several open letters.
He had evidently been reading them,
and traces Of tears which were no
shame to his manhood yet rested on
his eyelids.
On a sofa near by lay child of
five or six years dressed in deep
mourning, fast asleep. The hood and
wraps which were thrown beside her,
seemed to indicate that she had lately
come from long journey, which
would account for her WEAKNESS.
The old man, as he looked up from
the letters, gazed upon the child, and
again his eyes filled.
$50 like her poor mother " he
murmured. $50 like! But a like
fate shall not be hers! No! / swear
it by the memory of my own lost
She is my heiress-grandpa's sole
heiress, little Lily but she will not
be known as such, 80 that when she
grows up, some base fortune hunter
attracted by her beauty and her
money, shall marry her and break
her heart as her rascally father did
my poor girl's. Thank God he is
dead, too No one has a claim on
Lily but myself. She is too young
to guard herself, but l will guard her
future, yes, even from herself. There
shall be no flaw in my chain-she
shall not even know who she is her.
self. know where to put her, with
faithful old servants of mine, who will
reveal nothing l forbid to her. They
shall bring her up as friendless or
phan whom they have taken out of
kindness, ! will see that she is educat-
ed, and then she shall work for her
own living, until the lover comes
along who cares for her, not for
wealth and position. A little hard on
you, my Lily, that is, but far better
than to let your whole life be ruined.
And when the right time comes, all
the world shall know the truth, and
my little girls happiness be secured.
Yes, yes Grandpa Allen will take
care of his little girl"
In the conservatory Of the grand
Lennox mansion, slender girl,
dressed in deep mourning, stood nerv.
ously dipping her white fingers in the
marble basin of a fountain. Her
graceful figure, richly tinted cheeks,
scarlet lips and bright, dark eyes
flashing under long lashes would have
won her a second look anywhere, yet
were no more attractive than the air
of true, sweet womanliness which was
her chief charm. And so seemed to
think the elegant young man in a
faultless suit of light gray, who stood
beside her, for though he was the eld-
est son of the proud Lennox family. |
and this girl only the hired governess
of his younger sisters, his admiration
and respect for her were very plainly |
evident.
"You will not be so cruel as to send
me away, Miss Wescott ?" he was say
ing.
81 must, Mr.. Lennox," was Lily's
low answer.
"But why? Is.my society distaste-
full to your"
"You know it is not, Mr.. Lennox.
Have 1 not been kind to you, since
you have been with us?" asked
Walter Lennon, gently.
Her voice trembled as she looked
up into his handsome face and answer
ed:
"Only too kind But-you are
son of Wealth. am poor, unknown
orphan governess-"
III cannot help all that !" cried
Walter, interrupting her. "Or, rath-
err, yes, I will help it all, if you will
only consent, for love you, Lilyl l
love your He took her hand, but
she quickly drew it away, almost
gasping:
"Oh, no! Stop! You must not "
But why must not I" insisted,
Walter, again possessing himself the
slim hand. "Is there any law to pre-
vent my loving a pure, good girl, and
making her my honored wife, if she
will, only because she is poor 2"
"Oh, yes yes there is " breathed
poor Lily. "Your mother-she would
never, never CONSENT"
Perhaps I shall not ask her." re-
turned Walter, coolly. But for
yourself, dear Lily, would you con-
sentf"
eff" began Lily, blushing and
frightened, but Walter came prompt
ly to her aid
"Do you mean If all these other
objections we're removed, that you
would say yesi"
She bent her head silently.
Then you do love me a little ?"
said Walter, slipping his arm around
her. "Oh, Lily, please tell me :
Dosen't my truth to you deserve an