Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-16

wards me as though she intended TO
address me, then suddenly drew back,
and descended the steps without ac-
complishing her purpose"
being totally overcome by your
charms, suppose, interrupted.
"Now, Emma" cried John, growing
very red in the face as he spoke,
"you really are too bad 1t isn't my
fault if l can't help knowing that she
admires me, is it? And if | can't
help knowing 1t, why-how-how-
how-can l help it, want to know ?"
Justly reasoned" / replied, allow
ing for the possibility of slight mis-
take.
81 vow you are the most provoking
woman that ever lived !" muttered
John, as he left the room.
John made no further mention of
his conquest, and had almost forgot
ten the whole affair,swhen one even
ing l requested John to accompany
me on a shopping expedition, Psalter
not having yet returned from business.
AS we were passing the cottage of
which John had spoken, l noticed a
young lady-quite pretty girl
standing on the veranda.
"There she u.s." whispered john
"That is the girl l spoke of, Emma"
And really she did look after John
in a very peculiar manner. | saw at
once that he was right.
"Well, believe you have made a
conquest this time, john" remarked,
when we were out of hearing. "She
appears to be quite interested in you
had scarcely spoken when some
one tapped me on the shoulder. l
turned, and beheld little servant girl.
please, Miss, Missus wants to speak
to you and this gentleman perticke-
ler," she said. "Would you walk in
just a mint ?"
We obeyed the summons with great
astonishment-at least, can answer
for myself; John, l believe, expected
something of the sort, for the invita-
ton came from the cottage. We
were ushered into the parlor, where
two ladies were seated-thc girl whom
had seen on the veranda, and one
much older. The elder one arose as
we entered.
II haye no doubt" she began, chat
you are much surprised by my uncer-
emonious message, and, in fact, l
hardly know how to begin, but this
will explain my motive much better
than any words of mine could"
She handed me an old newspaper
in which l read the following adver-
tisementi
$25 Reward-Lost, a pin, formed
of two hearts-one a pearl, the other
ruby-connected by chain. The
pin is much valued as a keepsake.
$25 reward and no questions asked.
/ handed the paper to John with
out word. He perused it with a
strong exposition of disgust upon his
features, and detached the pin from
his cravat as though it had been all
asp.
| retained sufficient presence OF
mind to explain how the pin fell into
our possession.
"My daughter has frequently re-
solved to address this gentleman on
the subject, but could never summons
sufficient courage to do so" continued
the elder lady; "and tonight /
thought l would do so myself, as the
pin was the gift of a very dear friend
of ours"
The blush which mantled the young
lady's cheek, as these words were ut
tered, was sufficient to indicate who
this dear friend was.
OF course we exchanged all manner
of polite speeches and, this ceremony
having been performed, we departed
meeting very handsome young man
who appeared to be in a great hurry,
as we passed through the gateway.
AS for John, he was decidedly the
most crest.fallen individual | have
seen this long time ; and | do believe
he has not made a single conquest
| since that eveninu