Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-06

90
highest degree to the scion of the
house of Deloncy, and now to mad
den him the more he found him
his rival in love.
Both men were deeply in earnest
and entered heart and soul into the
contest. Each put his best boot
forward, and the display of vests
and gorgeous neckties were WON
der. Van Ronsonville's tawny
mustache was waxed for all it was
worth, and Deloncy's dark one SEEM
ed blacker every day. AS for their
turnouts, it was simply a matter of
preference between the creamers
and gold mounted harnesses of the
Knickerbocker, and the dark-blood-
ed bays and silver mountings of
Deloncy.
Neither of them, however, had
any reason to boast over the other
in regard to the progress made on
the heart of the heiress. Miss
leighton had received their advances
coldly enough at first, but her aunt's
repeated solicitations and their own
undated ardor seemed to have their
effect at last. She certainly was
being amused and that was some
thing at such a dull place as Sara
toga. Besides, what young lady
could have refused to ride behind
spirited span when invited on IA
pleasant afternoon? Grace accept
ed the invitations, and in return
made herself as agreeable as circum-
stances would allow.
If she had any preference, she
kept it to herself. She listened as
attentively to the vapid talk of one as
to that of the other. She would
not even converse with her aunt on
the subject, who, too well-pleased
with her niece's accommodating dis
position, was satisfied to let things
take their course, though she did
say she thought the superior an
tiquity of Mr.. Van Ronsonville's
descent ought to have its considera-
ton.
So the weeks went by, Grace
having rides behind either the bays
or the creamers almost every day.
But affairs could not remain in this
way for any long time. Neither of
her suitors were in condition to
wait. In fact, each ones purse
was in rather depleted condition,
and "A new lease of dissipated life
could only be secured by a speedy
marriage with the heiress, if she
would have him. Van Ronsonville
was the first to summon his courage
and try his fate.
AS they were returning from a
drive one afternoon, he took advant-
age of the opportunity to lay bare
his heart to Grace only suppressing
mention of IL few private motives
which lay at the bottom of it.
Miss Leighton blushed and hest
tated, as it was proper she should do,
and stammered something about
their acquaintance having been so
brief, and that she must have time
to think. The Knickerbocker's
courage rose, for she had not refus-
ed him, and he urged as passionate
ly as he dared that she should name
the date for the marriage.
81 fear my aunt" said Grace,
with well-simulated tremor. ''She
will never give her consent, | know,
andshe already halfsuspects. What
can we do?"
1.-THE hearts affections are some
thing over which the ties of rela-
tionship have no control. Your
aunt has no right to keep you from
me-" urged the lover, whose Joy
was so great that he could hardly
contain himself.
Most true" asserted Grace, but
I'should not dare to tell her. We
shall have to be married secretly, or
she will make us trouble"
"Then fly with me, my loved one
he cried in burst of ecstacy. "We
can find some spot where we can
live in happiness, and your aunt
cannot annoy us. Will you go, dear
Grace?"
II do not like to leave my aunt;
we must manage it some way. All!
| have it," she exclaimed, with an
other pretty blush. Zone of the
coachman is in NV couf,danca Wo