Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-08-03

uhuUcTI Anu WuuI III ctEoi, nay,
what series of errors she had evil
IDENTIFY fallen into.
"She thinks l have been tempting
Master Phil to gamble" he told
himself. II suspected as much
from the tone of her last letter to
him. | am the Mephistophiles to
this young Faust, and she evident
ly has no notion that these are my
rooms and not his. Shall enlight-
Ell herp"
But he did not do so. Minna was
regarding him with look of haugh-
ty surprise, that said as plainly as
words could: "Why are you linger-
ingp Cannot you perceive that
your presence is distasteful?"
"Phil will soon come back" he
said, cheerfully. I'm the meantime
| will, if you please, explain"
But Minna started up.
mo, Mr.. Burney, do not please.
l will hear nothing from you re-
specting my brothers debts and
difficulties. He will be frank with
me, am sure he will; and | had
rather hear the worst from his lips
than from yours"
why do you say this, Miss War
den?"
Because | am afraid Phil fell in
to sad mistake when he made you
his companion and adviser" painted
Minna, flushing, and then paling.
"You know better than | can tell
you what will be the fate of a fool
ish, credulous lad, who is too con-
fiding, and lets himself be led into
vice and extravaganza. All, Mr..
Burney, could you not have spared
my brother? If you feel any re-
morse for your conduct" she added,
with sob, ''go your way and never
come here again"
but if you would hear me, Miss
Warden he pleaded, IF you would
defer your judgement until"
He was checked by an entreating
gesture, and a half-chocked cry of:
mo, no! | cannot! 1t would
be too painful, for II used to think
so highly of you. Pray go away.
| insist on it. must be alone"
Tears were now raining down her
face, much to her own annoyance,
for not only did Hugh continue to
stand there irresolute, but footsteps
were coming up the stairs--slow,
heavy steps, that stopped, as she
feared they would, at the door of
the room.
Was this another of poor, dear,
foolish Pills vicious associates,
whom she would have to drive away
with her indignant reproaches? If
so, he was very stout, comfortable
looking, elderly parsonage, whose
pleasant features beamed with de-
light as soon as he caught sight of
Hugh Burney.
Father" exclaimed the latter,
starting forward to grasp his hand.
us it possible? What can have
brought you to London ?"
"Yes, my boy, it's I myself" was
the laughing response. "You may
we'll be astonished TO see me 80
Unexpectedly, but I've had a legacy
left me by an old friend, and there's
some law business attached to it
that made visit to town necessary.
Your mother is with me; at least
she's in the hall below, waiting to
know what's to be done with a big
hamper she could not be persuaded
to come without"
my mother here, too?"
Down stairs darted Hugh, and
Mr.. Burney, senior, began deliber-
ately taking of sundry wrappers
with which his prudent wife had
insisted on enfolding him. He
walked toward table on which to
place them, and started, for upon it
already reposed lady's hat. He
put on his glssses-Mr. Burney was
near sighted--commenced survey
of the room, and beheld Minna
Warden hurriedly rising from the
easy chair.
A few weeks ago she had been de-
lighted to make the acquaintance
Of Hugh's mother, and had longed
for the promised introduction to the
good old country squire, her hus-
band; but now her position was en-
barrassing. How could she clasp
bands cordially with worthy cou.
pie to whose son she had just been
attributing all Pills misdeedsp
J But Mr.. .Burney, to whom she